Join us for a wonderful Sunday afternoon outing for you, your friends and family, members of your parish, community group or co-workers. See the amazing and peaceful wetlands, forests, trees, pastures, farm fields and vegetable gardens of Ignatius, and learn about wonderful and inspiring things in this place of peace. There is so much to see and visit including: Community Shared Agriculture, Organic Apple Orchards, Organic Farm and Community Gardens, Ecology Villa and Willowdome, and a walking tour upon request of the Old Mill Ruins and the Plant an Old Growth Forest Project. There will also be themed tours, upon request, on the history of the land and the Jesuits here on the property, farming practices at Ignatius, forest interpretive walks and nature and spirituality walks.

This symposium honours John English, SJ, whose passion (before his death in 2004) was “greening” the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.

The new cosmology calls us to re-examine what it means to be Christian in relationship to all creation. The story of Jesus is an integral part of the story of the cosmos and Earth. Jesus - like all of us - emerges out of the same creative processes, pervasive energy and holy mystery that birthed the stars in the sky. He shared the same evolving sensibilities that course through our own thoughts, imaginations, and hearts’ desires that call forth the deepest dimension of what it means to be human. Jesus experienced nature as a source of grace and a place of prayer.

The new cosmology calls us to re-examine what it means to be Christian in relationship to all creation. The story of Jesus is an integral part of the story of the cosmos and Earth. Jesus - like all of us - emerges out of the same creative processes, pervasive energy and holy mystery that birthed the stars in the sky. He shared the same evolving sensibilities that course through our own thoughts, imaginations, and hearts’ desires that call forth the deepest dimension of what it means to be human. Jesus experienced nature as a source of grace and a place of prayer.

The co-presenters will help us reflect on this understanding of Jesus. They will reflect on his nature mysticism as evident in Jesus’ repeated choice of nature’s metaphors in his teachings. Attuned to the signs of our particular time of planetary awareness, and conscious we live within a sacred universe, what might be our experience of ‘Christ presence’ in the world today?

Maureen Wild, SC, and James Profit, SJ, are shaped by rural and coastal regions of Canada and come with varied and rich backgrounds in farming, theological and ecological education. They offer complimentary gifts in co-guiding spiritual ecology retreats and workshops. Maureen lives on BC’s west coast and directs Pax Gaia Educational & Retreat Initiatives. Jim is the Executive Director of the Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph Ontario.

Looking for a family outing that’s both fun and fulfilling? Spend a special day with the children on the beautiful grounds of the Ignatius Jesuit Centre of Guelph. Explore the amazing ecosystem of a river. Discover the diversity of species in a working organic farm. Learn about 12 gifts we each receive from our Creator and how they apply to your family. Find new ways to enjoy and appreciate nature, plant tulips or build an Inukshuk as a legacy of your time spent together on the land of Ignatius. Each person will take home lasting memories to share and treasure as a family.

Like the Sabbath, winter is a sacred time set aside for all Creation to rest and regroup in preparation for spring. You are invited to spend an inspiring, invigorating day exploring the true meaning of winter and dormancy. Rediscover the magic and mystery of the season through sharing, reflection, journaling and guided meditation in a warm, supportive environment. Reconnect with the Earth through hiking and nature walks.

The retreat takes place at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre. Its 600 acres of beautifully maintained grounds feature pristine forests, rivers, well-kept trails and farm fields. Everything looks different with a fresh layer of snow on it — even life. Find out what wisdom winter has to offer in this fun, spirit-nourishing retreat. The retreat runs from 11am-4pm.

Nature Journaling is a retreat to draw upon your spirit and soul. The Ignatius Jesuit Centre environs and atmosphere will inspire you to write and contemplate like never before. Keeping a nature journal is a wonderful way for writers, novice or experienced, to become spiritually centered. What you decide to put in your journal is a personal choice, and our facilitator will teach you various techniques of journaling. Nature journals run the gamut from field notes, which limit themselves to objective descriptions of what the writer has observed, to fully developed poems, stories, or essays in which the landscape is a major character. You may be called to draw or paint in your journal as well as write in it. Inspiration will come from nature walks and guided outdoor meditations in this unique and inspiring landscape, and from sharing each others’ insight.