Hello Mary,

Cherished Maryholme friends,

This sacred land on these well loved shores of Lake Simcoe has indeed exchanged its palette of summer's sunny emeralds, corals and indigos for the warm hues of autumn's golds, auburns and cinnamons... The crisp winds touch us with the cares of our world and this poem seemed the most fitting with which to open our newsletter in this season.

We join our hearts with yours in these tumultuous times as we all navigate these days together. We bless you, appreciate you, and hold you all dear.

Ancient Celtic Blessing

If there is righteousness in the heart,

there will be beauty in the character.

If there is beauty in the character,

there will be harmony in the home.

If there is harmony in the home,

there will be order in the nation.

If there is order in the nation,

there will be peace in the world.

So let it be.

Scottish Blessing

Something more than ordinary...

Our mission as a spirituality centre continues to be

"To encourage individuals and groups to explore and restore the energies needed for personal, communal, and world transformation."

What is a Retreat

​"Blackbird Cabin was such a cozy and comfortable cabin. The view is breathtaking and I loved the screened porch. The natural surroundings are so beautiful I want to return once a season to take them in."

"I am leaving here feeling well rested and with a new energy. I feel my soul was filled with what it needed and the time I spent here was well worth the investment, it was a gift to myself. This is a healing and sacred space and I know I will be returning through the changing seasons."

"The cabin is more beautiful than I expected and the constant sound of the waves was just what I needed."

"I am stunned at the beauty here. I feel so refreshed. I sensed the presence of the Lord immediately. This truly a special place!"

"Wonderful experience... exactly what I was seeking."

"The variety of birds and critters (foxes, groundhog, chipmunks) was unexpected and breathtaking. The grounds have been designed to welcome them. Such beauty!"

"I enjoyed the comforts of Dease Cabin. The large screened door let in so much light and fresh air. It was a joy to spend time in the cabin writing."

"What a gem! I will be back. Extremely well run. You have thought of every detail. Thank you for a peaceful stay."

"So needed. So timely. So perfect. The quiet. The gorgeous property.

The numerous & diverse spiritual resources & activities.

My soul was detoxed. Leaving refreshed. Thank you!"

Loretto Maryholme Private Retreatants' comments 2023

PEACE POLE

The Peace Pole Project is the official Project of The World Peace Prayer Society. It started in Japan in 1955 by Masahisa Goi, who decided to dedicate his life to spreading the message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in response to the bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

Handcrafted monuments planted the world over as international symbols of Peace, they remind us to keep peace ever-present in our thoughts. As we learn to honour one another, our environment, plants, animals and all creation on Earth, the vision of global peace will gradually become a natural way of life, a true culture of Peace.There are 250,000 Peace Poles around the world. 

Loretto Maryholme planted this Peace Pole as part of a 400th (1609-2009) anniversary celebration of The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was carved by Sr. Veronica Hager IBVM of Regina, Saskatchewan.

The Pondering Place video offers an almost-as-good-as opportunity to be at Loretto Maryholme virtually if you weren't able to visit here this past summer.

Nestled along the lake's bluff between the sumac grove and opening to the Stations Walk, this lovely pond is yet another meditative feature in our sacred space. Brimming with bird visitations, tadpoles in the pond, and a trickling fountain that is music to one's ears - it is a profound place to reflect on those that have gone on before us - truly something more than ordinary...

Enjoy this taste of lingering summer days slipping into the golding of autumn.

"Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go."

Unknown



Come spend time in this sacred space. Rest, reflect and re-focus in an atmosphere of beauty, peace and solitude on the beautiful shores of Lake Simcoe.

Dease and Blackbird Cabins plus Fensom Cottage are available for personal retreats. Edgar House is available for group retreats on the weekends and for weekday corporate/ministerial/educational groups. Wifi accessible in all buildings.

Spiritual direction is available upon request.

Email booking@lorettomaryholme.ca

for availability.

We accept and prefer e-transfers. However, if you are mailing in payment via snail mail, please note our new mailing address is: Loretto Maryholme Spirituality Centre, 379A Bouchier Street, Keswick, ON L4P 3C8. Thank you.

"This is a place that feels like home to me. I love the switch to vegetarian meals and the new paint and upholstery in the sunroom is lovely. Could it be that the gardens are looking even more beautiful than the last time I was here? Being held in silence and in safety allows for magic & epiphanies. Oh, and fabulous creativity. I'll be back. ❤︎Until then, big love to Sr. Jane & Mary Lou and this beautiful, thin place, and all the birds and creatures that call Loretto home."

"I had a wonderful experience from the moment I arrived to a warm welcome. This is a magical place and the atmosphere, spiritual direction, meals etc. are the best."

"It's tough to find the correct words to wrap up the lovely experience that being present in this space provides. It holds you, & brings you peace. I came 3 days last year and it wasn't enough. 6 days this time and I don't want to leave! I think coming more often and learning to find this peace, calm and love in my own life is the answer. Thank you for providing the retreat, the space to just be, and for blessing me with all that you have. I will be back!"

"It was all I hoped for and more. The silence, nature, walking, swimming, prayerful places... The lake, sea gulls dancing, labyrinth, peace pole, cairn - truly amazing, inspiring, restful, peaceful, uplifting, nourishing, welcoming. I loved it!"

"The six-day silent retreat gave me space to read, rest, breathe, ponder, pray and create. The landscape and gardens, the lakeside dock, the sunny porch all create the perfect setting for connecting with the Divine. There are so many touches in Edgar House. I felt so mothered during my stay."

"I really needed the time and space to work through some personal things, but mostly I needed to give myself a peaceful environment to think, read, research and write. That's just what I got out of this weekend... coupled with the beautiful surroundings... and the food... It was perfect. Thank you!"

"My third time here. So excited to come & experience this beautiful place. The gift of space, beauty & support for personal expectation & discovery is a treasure. It has been transformative for me & I am truly grateful."

"Silence & solitude were exactly what I needed! Beautiful guided retreat with no expectations. Brenda is a gift."

"Soothing, reflective, letting go some more. Experienced having no agendas. My next move is to stop & cherish nothingness - no expectations..."

"Autumn leaves don't fall, they fly.

They take their time and wander

on this their only chance to soar."

Delia Owens

"Nothing in all creation is so like God as stillness."

Meister Eckhart

Autumn Blessings from the Maryholme team

info@lorettomaryholme.ca

Tel. 905.476.4013

www.lorettomaryholme.ca

© Loretto Maryholme Spirituality Centre 2023

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Weekdays 9am-noon

Afternoons by chance.

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