A GENERAL DESCRIPTION
THE JOURNEY PROGRAM IS DIVIDED INTO THREE PARTS
- The Journey Into Self Discovery For Men In Ministry
- The Journey Into Self Discovery for the Professional
[both men and women welcome]
THE JOURNEY PROGRAM is designed as an opening for anyone seeking to discover a deeper meaning and perspective in their life. It is a gathering place for like minded people who are interested in renewal, exploration and refreshment of body, mind and spirit. Sometimes the unusual such as a dream interpretation, a propreceptive writing experience, painting a picture and other like activities can furnish us with new insight and approaches to move forward on a new path.
Psychotherapy and emotional bodywork together with carefully choosen scripture themes can bring about powerful dymanics of grace to help us shape new roads to travel. God generously supplies us many alternatives in our lives to assist us. Everywhere we look there are new discoveries to be made.
We usually celebrate liturgical worship each day.
The Journey program is a five day residential opportunity to encourage spirituality and a cooperative community living experience. It is essential that participants enter in a spirit of openness and candour so they can share and, as much as possible, reveal; their deep inner self and personal life experience with the group. We suggest that you consider this a closed retreat. There are no lectures during this retreat. This is an experiential and an interactive process retreat with a gentle invitation to share and explore feelings, dreams. Spiritual exercises are offered each day to assist us to carry Hope, Confidence, Self Awarness and Self esteem in our hearts and spirit. Absolute confidentiality is expected.
There is a physical component to the program. Each day a guided group program of simple exercises is offered along with some music to assist movement. Each participant is offered a one hour massage as part of the program.
The following comments are offered
by former participants.
«I just want to say thanks for another great week that has challenged me to be ever more open to the kingdom WITH IN and a lot less given to 'what's Cooking outside', what is right there within me . It was a wonderful week and I look forward to next year. It is the best offering I know given to ministers anywhere. I recall on our first night there was a group of us guys raging against the church. When I got into bed I said to myself the church is not our issue, our issue is ourselves. Again thanks.»
~ Joe
«The 'Unconscious' and 'Dream Therapy' were roads I had not travelled. As roots in psychotherapy they offer new vistas in growth and even 'breakthrough gifts from God'.»
~ Oblate Priest
«I certainly intend to inform my Provincial and others who are charged with the care of men in their Communities, that this week would benefit many, espccially those who are in any way struggling with the issues that are de-energizing them, diminishing their effectiveness in Ministry or sapping their lives.»
~ a Jesuit
«The team members were very professional and respectful of each participant in every way. They quickly gained our trust and confidence and then proceded to assist, support, challenge or confront us to face ourselves with true openness and honesty.»
~ Diocesan Priest
«This workshop should be offered to all men in the process of initial formation and ongoing psycho-social-spiritual development.»
~ Provincial of Religious Brothers
«Loneliness just kept creeping into me taking me down to the dark drowning hole within. Every little nook and cranny of my life was packed with a devouring detour of truth.»
The Journey into Self-Discovery Programs
THESE PROGRAMS SERVE WELL both as individual sabbatical programs complete in themselves and as an integrated module of a larger made-to-measure program designed specifically to suit your particular needs and time parameters. They take place both in Canada and abroad.
The Journey into Self Discovery International
Celebrating Journey sessions in: South Africa, Australia, India
FROM NOVEMBER, December of 2006 and January 2007 Daniel McDonald, our Director, journeyed to South Africa, Australia and India to conduct workshops. In South Africa at the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers' Formation Centre he was invited to work with the young brothers in formation. It was exciting to work with young men from all over Africa who were learning to dedicate their lives in the service of others.
In Australia he conducted two five-day Journey into Self Discovery for men in ministry workshops. Men came from all over Australia and Pappau New Guinea and New Zealand. Daniel was also invited by the Christian Brothers to work with several teachers and other groups while he was in Australia.
In India, the Medical Missionary Sisters through their Auyusha Centre kindly sponsored three five-day workshops - one was the Men in Ministry workshop. Priests and brothers came from many dioceses throughout India. The other was a Journey into Self Discovery for professional people: spiritual directors, nurses, teachers, and the third workshop was the Dream Journey. For five days we explored the dream world and the importance of dreams in our daily lives and in our spirituality. These 15 days were filled with much excitement, joy and fulfillment. There was also time for teaching the art of psychotherapy to a few professional people.
Read the current issue of our Emmaus newsletter: On the Road to Emmaus »
The Journey into Self-Discovery for the Professional
'Come Meet the Woman at the Well'
July 12th to July 17th, 2009
Loretto Maryholme Retreat Centre, Lake Simcoe, Ontario Canada
AFIVE DAY REFLECTIVE and Interactive Retreat for:
Hospital & School Chaplains, Spiritual Directors, Teachers, pastors and Lay Ministers and for those who require a drink of living water from the well. An Opportunity for Formation, renewal and deeper development of your own spirituality. A time for growth, learning through Scripture, gentle psychotherapy and relaxation through emotional bodywork.
Remarks From Former Participants
« My cup is full because everyone here helped me to dip deep into the well & fill my cup. I will be back I need your help and support. »
:: Hospice chaplain
« I had a new energetic feeling wash over my body after the emotional
bodywork & movement. The combination of Scripture stories and psychotherapy
and the relaxation revived and energized my soul as well as my body. Keep up this extra ordinary wonderful work, God calls you. »
:: Chaplain Seniors Home
« The concept of placing the week in the Scripture context of 'The Woman at
the well' was excellent and bedded the whole psychotherapy and other
exciting process on solid foundations. As a teacher I learned new ways of
helping people learn about themselves, the world, and in a very relaxed way
how to approach my Lord and My God. »
For complete information: spiritcentral.com/journey
July 12 to 17, 2009 :: Maryholme Retreat Centre
Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada
Sabbatical Program
Exploring the Inner Life Through Psychotherapy
THE JOURNEY PROGRAMS serve well both as individual sabbatical programs complete in themselves and as an integrated module of a larger made-to-measure program designed specifically to suit your particular needs and time parameters. They take place both in Canada and abroad.
