Hello Mary,


"For everything there is a season ..."

... a time to start a ministry and a time to hand on the ministry...



From the dream in 1999 to its inception in 2001 to its reality in 2024 Sr. Jane McDonell has led the evolving ministry of Loretto Maryholme. On April 15 another chapter will begin with the arrival of Yvonne Prowse who will become the next Director. Yvonne comes with much experience in spirituality, ecology, non profit organizations, programming, and administration. Jane, as founding Director, will enjoy her 'little house on the prairie' and continue her spiritual direction and leadership ministries.  


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."

Visit Our Website

Retreats & Programs

3-Day Silent Retreats

What is Spiritual Direction?


Who are the Spiritual Directors at Loretto Maryholme?

Guided Silent Retreat

6 & 8-Day Silent Retreats

What is Spiritual Direction?


Who are the Spiritual Directors at Loretto Maryholme?

Guided Silent Retreat

What is a Retreat

"I said to the almond tree:

Speak to me of God;

and the almond tree blossomed."


Nikos Kazantzakis

Set aside time for yourself in our Sacred Space

Our Stations of Light meditative walk begins just east of the Blackbird Cabin, entering the cedars from behind the Pondering Pond along the lake ridge.


We invite you to enjoy this Way of the Light, also called 'Via Lucis' in Latin, from where you are at.



Let these contemplative 8 minutes guide you along the lake's bluff, touched by the sunlight and canopied ancient trees from above...


Enjoy

"We are the Easter people,

and hallelujah is our song."


Pope St. John Paul II

Just Breathe ...

Planning Your Stay

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, McMahon and Blackbird Cabins plus Fensom Cottage are available for personal retreats. Spiritual direction is available upon request. Self-catered meals.


Edgar House and Fensom Cottage are available for group retreats. Consider time away on weekdays for professional development, ministry planning, or healing time. Wifi accessible in all buildings. Self-catered meals.


Writers, artists & creatives welcome!


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.

Learn More

Guests' Comments

"I came to Loretto Maryholme to be myself, to immerse myself in the landscape and to be held in a symbolic sense. Thank you to the house, the gardens and those of you that nurture it and make it a welcoming place ❤︎."


"It was all very easy & I felt at home right away. There is beauty at every turn from the views of the lake & sunrises & sunsets, to the beautiful souls who care for the people & the land. There is a Holy resonance that can be felt, a truly Sacred place. I feel rested & rejuvenated and so blessed to have shared time & space in silence with everyone present. Thank you!"


"As always, I am feeling restored as if I have been at a spa for a month! Thank you."


"I needed to escape and recharge. I need to take care of myself so I can continue to take care of others. Was feeling stressed, exhausted, overwhelmed. Needed the "hug" that I feel here; the embrace that recharges and relaxes me. Close to home (for an emergency) but a world away. The healing power of simply being here is profound. Thank you for sharing this magical place with those of us that need its soul food."


"Freeing! Thank you ☺︎"


"Sometimes when people ask me if I would like to go to Florida or Cuba I let them know that I've been there, and it's nice... but, I would rather go to a place where I can ... spend a little easy time with women I like. That's my idea of a vacation. It's inner space I want to take time to explore. It's my turn. And I had a bath (in the big tub in my room) for the first time in years ❤︎"


"These 3 days were divinely "timed" for me and allowed me the space & personal time to reflect & find the underlying cause of several things in my life that were misaligned to my true inherent self."


"Perfect ~"


"This was a very healing retreat for me... the vastness offered by just being was reaffirmed. ...I feel excited to be surprised by what I might find. I am listening to my deeper way of knowing."


"A time away to clear my mind and listen for guidance. Lovely to be out in nature. Enjoyed the silent support of other retreatants. Support from the staff from beginning to end. Such a beautiful retreat centre in a beautiful location and cared for by beautiful people. Thank you ❤︎".


"The experience was profound. The silence, the being without external responsibilities allowed me to enter into a prayerful way of being once the inner voices and expectations quieted. I was called to trust in God's active presence listening and responding to my longings. The labyrinth was so helpful. Water always soothes my soul. I took pictures of the Cosmic Walk 'stations' and will continue my retreat with them. I will also use the post-Easter stations for meditation. Your commitment to work with creation and allow her natural beauty to shine is an important call & vocation of Maryholme and adds to the retreat experience. I am full of gratitude."

Our Stories


"The story of Easter is the story of God's wonderful window of divine surprise."


Karl Knudsen

A Blessing of Hope


May you give your hope room to breathe and expand.


May your anticipated dreams find a voice and a home in your life.


May hope move freely through your heart,

gifting your spirit with enthusiasm and joy.


May you walk through the spring storms

with a strong sense of purpose, undaunted by fear.


May you never lose confidence in your ability to grow.


May your hope stream outward to the world,

dancing in the far realms like a feather floating in an April breeze,

bringing joy to all who need it.


Spring, energizing spring.

Be our mentor of hope!

Spring, birth mother of greening, cheer us on!


 Excerpt taken from The Circle of Life © 2005 by Joyce Rupp Macrina Wiederkehr.

Used by permission of Ave Maria Press. All rights reserved.

Easter and Springtime Blessings from the Maryholme team

Find your centre at our Centre. Come and see ...

info@lorettomaryholme.ca

Tel. 905.476.4013

www.lorettomaryholme.ca

© Loretto Maryholme Spirituality Centre 2024

Facebook  
Sign up here to stay in the loop...

Office Hours:

Weekdays 9am-noon

Afternoons by chance.

Office closed Good Friday

and Easter Monday