General News

Guelph, Ontario. December 2, 2022 On Friday, the Ignatius Jesuit Centre celebrated their Ignatius Farm AgriSpirit Well with a ribbon-cutting at the new pump house. This project was launched thanks to an initial $25,000 contribution from Farm Credit Canada’s AgriSpirit Fund, and completed thanks to a community of generous anonymous donors. As costs of the project escalated, a $5000 contribution from the City of Guelph Community Fund helped purchase the required water reservoir. Farm Credit Canada representative, Maria Domingos, was on hand to congratulate the Centre’s team and to learn more about how the well will support Ignatius Farm’s work…

Deep silence leads us to realize that prayer is, above all, acceptance. ~Henry Nouwen The summer edition of the IJC Voice is one of gratefulness: there is so much happening at the Centre and we are so thankful for each one of you! Read this month’s IJC Voice here online or in a PDF format. Enjoy!

Life is precious. Not because it is unchangeable, like a diamond, but because it is vulnerable, like a little bird. ~Henry Nouwen June’s IJC Voice includes a reflection on the changes that have been made to the Loyola House retreat wing, upcoming retreats, and update from the Farm and the Old-Growth Forest project, plus more! Read this month’s IJC Voice here online or in a PDF format. Enjoy!

To be calm and quiet by yourself is not the same as sleeping. In fact, it means being fully awake and following with close attention every move going on inside of you. ~ Henri Nouwen Lots of gratitude, retreat opportunities at Loyola House, lots happening at the Farm–it is growing season, plus more! Read this month’s IJC Voice here online or in a PDF format. Enjoy!

Sitting in the silence of one’s hearts, and resting in God’s presence, is more satisfying and of greater import than any special grace. ~Steph Rossetti Our hearts are full of gratitude and we are thrilled to welcome both returning and new retreatants to Loyola House! Read this month’s IJC Voice here online or in a PDF format. Enjoy!

When we sow a seed, we plant a narrative of future possibility. ~ Sue Stuart-Smith Catch up on what is happening at the Centre by reading March’s IJC Voice online here or open up this PDF. Read about this year’s Lenten Appeal, see what in-house retreats are coming up at Loyola House, and find out what is happening at the Farm…including their 2022 Get the Water Flowing! well project appeal. In here you will also find out upcoming opportunities and poems to reflect on.

In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. Our life is a long and arduous quest after Truth. – Mahatma Gandhi There is lots to share in February’s “Voice”! We are so grateful for your generosity! We can’t wait to welcome back those of you returning to your beloved retreat house and to welcome those who are new to us! There are lots of changes… The Farm is busy preparing for 2022’s growing season…there is lots of opportunities to share! An update from…

When your tongue is silent, you can rest in the silence of the forest. When your imagination is silent, the forest speaks to you. It tells you of its unreality and of the Reality of God. But when your mind is silent, then the forest suddenly becomes magnificently real and blazes transparently with the Reality of God. (Thomas Merton) Gratefulness to our donors, reflecting on those who have passed, and looking at opportunities at Loyola House and Ignatius Farm are all part of January’s IJC Voice. Read it here online or as a PDF here.

The Request for Proposals for land acreage at IJC is available now until January 20, 2022…you can read it here. New for 2022: There will be ¼ acre sections for Small Plot Agriculture businesses! The RFP is open to entrepreneurial individuals, groups, or organizations to rent available acreages to implement complementary ecological or regenerative agriculture projects at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre. IJC encourages applicants from all walks of life, especially those from communities that have been historically excluded from access to farmland.

“Stillness is the flower of winter, all hope waits beneath a blanket of white.” – unknown This is the time of year when we bring you a message of Christmas hope, of a longing to open our hearts to all that is to come. We’re finding that this year feels a little different… Read the rest of December’s “Voice” here online and as a PDF here.