Facilitated by Greg Kennedy, SJ

St. Francis spoke with them. Darwin caught the first glimmer of his evolutionary theories in their plumage. Around the world they have inspired our visions of angels.

Birds are those beings that thread together sky, land and water. Moreover, we humans likely learned to sing under their joyful tutelage.

Retreatants will spend this late May weekend watching, listening, contemplating and learning the beautiful freedom of birds.

Guelph naturalist byron murray will help retreatants find and identify our winged friends, allowing enough time, space and silence for them to study the spiritual significance of these heavenly beings in their lives.

The Birds and the Bees and the Trees Retreat Series

The resurgence of Indigenous, land-based knowledge; a pandemic that has given North Americans more time and space for proximity with nature; climatic extremes that scream for greater balance between the built and natural worlds; heightening religious awareness about the sanctity of Creation: these and other contemporary realities urge us to get to know our neighbours in new and deeper ways. In this weekend-retreat series, we will spend spiritual, scientific and experiential time with our kin-creatures. Through presentations, guided walks, creative activities, personal reflection and conversation, we’ll better befriend our relatives. The series will also include input from artists, activists and other lovers of Earth.

Individual Spiritual direction will not be offered.

Loyola House

Renovations to the accommodation wing include new flooring and countertops and freshly painted walls. We created 20 ensuites and the shared washrooms have been upgraded.

Prices:

• $299 – Ensuite Room – private single bedroom with 3-piece washroom, desk and chair
• $275 – Standard Room – private single bedroom with sink, desk and chair
• $170 – Commuter