Retreat Centres
Villa St. Joseph Retreat and Ecology Centre
Villa St. Joseph Ecology and Spirituality Centre is owned by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and is supported by a dedicated staff and wider community committed to creating a welcoming place of hospitality, spirituality, retreat and renewal.
Located on the shores of Lake Ontario in Cobourg, our historic Centre has a long and varied history. Set on 10 acres of beautiful waterfront property, Villa St. Joseph offers 13 guest rooms, gardens, a chapel, library, labyrinth, and peaceful spaces for prayer, contemplation, and rest.
We value holistic spirituality that is inclusive of all peoples and all the Earth. Our ministry and programs are rooted in an ecological, interfaith, and justice-oriented approach, with particular care for creation and our relationship with the natural world.
Manresa Jesuit Spiritual Renewal Centre in Pickering
The retreat is about deepening one’s relationship with God. Manresa has two very important tools for this quest. The first is the beauty of God’s creation manifested in its 21 acres. The second is something that our own culture cannot provide – silence. Unplugging from a frenetic and noisy environment can refresh and renew the body, mind, and spirit. Many who come for retreats wonder what two days of silence will be like and whether they are up to the challenge. Most agree that it was one of the richest and most consoling aspects of the retreat. The silence helps to create the conditions for listening to the inner voice of the Spirit.
Although the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and the Scriptures is the constant core of the retreats, both their presentation and audience have changed to reflect the evolving nature of the Church and the needs of our world. Manresa also conducts 12-step retreats as well as programs for religious organizations, professional associations, and groups based on language and culture.
La Verna, Capuchin House of Franciscan Spirituality