General News

Ten years ago, Pope Francis released Laudato Si’, a written work that changed how many people understood the relationship between faith, ecology, and justice. This document served as a warning and a profound call to hope in the face of growing climate disruption, global inequality, and a general lack of connection to the land. It challenges us to change the way we look and feel, to see the Earth as a shared home to love and care for rather than as a resource to be exploited. What makes Laudato Si’ so powerful is its simplicity. At its core is the…

With the recent Town Hall meetings now concluded and the community informed of the decision to conclude retreat programming at Loyola House by the end of 2025, we are turning our focus to what comes next. While much of the future of IJC is shaping up in real time, we want to keep you informed of the changes that are taking place. This update outlines key developments in leadership, future vision, community engagement, and partnerships as we move into a new chapter at Ignatius Jesuit Centre. While we are still in the early stages of shaping this new vision, we…

Thank you to everyone who attended our recent Town Hall meetings on June 9th and 10th last week. These sessions were an opportunity to offer clarity around the decision to conclude retreat programming at Loyola House by the end of 2025 and to begin a broader conversation about the future of Ignatius Jesuit Centre. We are now sharing two documents that speak to this transition: As this transition moves forward, the team at Ignatius Jesuit Centre is working on how to best engage our community with transparency, openness, and care. We are currently developing a community engagement strategy to guide…

One thing is definitely clear: the community at Ignatius Jesuit Centre is deeply passionate and committed. Our in-person Town Hall on June 10th reached fire-code capacity within just 36 hours! To accommodate the high level of interest, we’ve added a second in-person Town Hall. New Meeting Added: Monday, June 9th, 12–2pm in the Loyola House lounge Here’s a recap of all three scheduled Town Hall meetings: If you’d like to switch your registration to a different session or have questions or concerns, email ksmith@ignatiusguelph.ca.

What does it mean to be connected to place? For those who have spent time at IJC, the connection goes deeper than simply an appreciation for the landscape. Even as the mission at Ignatius Jesuit Centre takes new shape, it’s clear that this place continues to hold a special significance. We’ve heard from many community members about how meaningful this space is to them, and now we are tasked with reimagining how it can continue to serve the community into the future. We know we’re not alone in this work. Through the stories, memories, and hopes shared by the community,…

Dear Friends and Community, We are writing to share important news about the future of the Ignatius Jesuit Centre (IJC). As announced in our press release on May 8, 2025, the Jesuits of Canada have made the decision to transition Loyola House’s retreat and formation programs to other Jesuit centres across the country, effective December 31, 2025. While this marks the end of an era for Loyola House, the Ignatius Jesuit Centre itself will remain open and continue as a vital apostolate of the Society of Jesus. Our 600-acre property comprising farmland, forests, and conservation areas will remain under Jesuit…

Have you ever noticed how loud life has become? From the moment we wake up, we’re met with alarms, the virtual noise of scrolling through newsfeeds, pings from apps, and the constant hum of conversation and motion. Even in our downtime, we fill the gaps: podcasts on walks, background music while we cook, and the TV on as we fall asleep. In a world that never seems to quiet down, silence can often feel like a stranger. And yet, many of us feel such relief when we finally meet it again. Why Silence Matters Silence isn’t just the absence of…