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What happens when we feel the natural world as the spark that brings us to the page? What takes place when we put words to paper?   When imagination meets the flesh of tree? The connection that occurs when mind and matter intermingle in the act of writing can lead to transformations of both.

Over this weekend, retreatants will write their way into deeper communion with the nature in and around them. Using Ignatius Jesuit Centre’s over 600 acres of forest, field and wetland as the living lexicon from which to draw words and meanings, the retreat will provide practices of attention and prompts for composition, with enough free time to let the land speak for itself.  Facilitated group support and exchange will complement the quiet periods of productive introspection.

This retreat is limited to 25 participants.

Facilitated by Catherine Bush and Greg Kennedy

Retreat includes:

• Periods of silence
• Group work
• Outdoor activities
• Individual writing time
• Spiritual direction is not available

Catherine Bush is the author of five novels, including the widely acclaimed Blaze Island, Accusation, and The Rules of Engagement, a New York Times Notable Book. Her books have been shortlisted for the Trillium Prize, City of Toronto Book Award, and Books in Canada First Novel Award. The recipient of numerous fellowships, she was the 2024 Writer-in-Residence/Landhaus Fellow at the Rachel Carson Centre for Environment and Society in Germany. An Associate Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Guelph, she lives in Toronto. Skin (2025) is her first collection of stories.

Prices:

• $434 – Ensuite Room  – private single bedroom with 3-piece washroom, desk and chair
• $389 – Standard Room – private single bedroom with sink, desk and chair

Room availability will show in the form’s options below. If all room options are at capacity (FULL), then a Waiting List option will show…please do fill out the application form to get on the Waiting List! Any questions, contact the Registrar’s office at 519-824-1250 ext. 266 or email registration@ignatiusguelph.ca.