 |
We are truly inspired to share with you that in September our
Sacred Ground Campaign secured the funds we need to proceed with the upgrade of Loyola House's heating/cooling system. Last month the Campaign received a major donation of $250,000.
Our Campaign donor recognition tree, located on the
 wall of the Loyola House entrance lobby, also grew by 50 leaves to honour 50 more donors this past year.
In our August 2016 campaign update we confirmed that the Campaign has resulted in:
- $300,000 for energy and accessibility upgrades to both the administrative and accommodation wings of Loyola House
- a $750,000 endowment fund to provide wages for a lay spiritual director(s)
- a conservation easement to protect the Old-Growth Forest lands in perpetuity
- the hiring of contract staff to work on restoration of the forest and to deliver workshops for students across Wellington County ($75,000)
 |
|
|
While clearing up invasive buckthorn on the Old-Growth Forest lands, staff & volunteers found this surprise visitor...a harmless garter snake, fascinating creature!
|
We also announced an ambitious goal for the final year of the Campaign
: $900,000 for an energy retrofit of the Loyola House heating/cooling system and an upgrade of the Centre's septic system.
In these last remaining months, we are campaigning for only $400,000 - or 400 donors to give $1000 each.
At the start of this month of thanksgiving, we are so appreciative to be able to proceed with the major energy retrofit to Loyola House.
Thank you to each and every donor for your sharing in our vision to sustain the Centre for future generations.
|
|
|
LOYOLA HOUSE RETREATS & PROGRAMS 
|
Upcoming Retreats - Each retreat date is linked to our website for more information
|
Meet the new face of Loyola House! 
We welcome Leanne McCann as Registrar for Loyola House's programming. Leanne is a familiar face at the Centre, as she served as the Office Manager for the past 10 years. She became the Registrar after Pauline Jupp retired this past summer. She is excited about her new role, meeting retreatants and helping them feel at home. You can contact Leanne at 519-824-1250 ext 266 and [email protected].
|
|
RETREAT OPPORTUNITY
Are you seeking a prayerful, silent, affordable place for spiritual reflection?
Does a weekend retreat with healthy meals and
private room accommodation at Loyola House appeal to you?
If you have said yes so far but are concerned that you can't afford the retreat fee,
contact Fr. Roger Yaworski directly at 519-824-1250 Ext. 230 or by emailing [email protected]. The Hamilton Diocese Ex Corde Foundation has generously provided funds to make this opportunity affordable to parishioners within the Diocese.
Be sure to register early to avoid disappointment.
|
|
|
IGNATIUS FARM
This past Saturday afternoon - on the occasion of the first frost and after a big harvest push all week - farm friends and families celebrated the harvest season together at the Villa with some wonderful 'Stone soup' and a campfire. 
Two wonderful reasons to celebrate came to fruition in the last month thanks to significant donations:
- The hoop-house (plastic greenhouse) build was completed and planted with greens for the CSA Winter Share. (Picture includes Farmer Mike)
- The farm purchased a cargo van for produce deliveries.
These are significant upgrades for the farm which are already  being appreciated by the farm team, and whose benefits will be soon shared with the community!
Many thanks to all who contributed to and participated in Ignatius Farm activities this year!
IGNATIUS OLD-GROWTH FOREST
Just like the students returning school, Fall in the forest feels like the beginning of a new year. It is the season when we collect the seeds that will be grown into the trees and shrubs of the future forest.
In September, 20 volunteers came out to help and learn with us. We collected: beech, muscle-wood, basswood, ironwood, meadow sweet, and a variety of dogwood seeds that were then taken to the Green Legacy Tree Nursery to be processed and prepared for propagation. A big thank you to Jessica Trzoch for her leadership and knowledge during this event.
Now that trees are slowly retreating into their period of dormancy again we have a window of opportunity with the help of students and volunteers to plant a further 500 in the ground this year. This will bring our total to 2,500 trees for 2017! 
Our non-herbicidal invasive plant species management during October will focus on phragmites removal. This can be rather labour intensive so we are always grateful for volunteer help to protect and restore this wetland ecosystem.
For further information on group programming, volunteering, or donating to the project please
visit our website or call Martin Tamlyn 519.824.1250 ext. 224.
GUELPH WALKING PILGRIMAGE: A LESSON IN SHARING, KINDNESS
Paul Boreham, wrote an article titled "Guelph Walking Pilgrimage: A Lesson in Sharing, Kindness" about his experiences on this year's walk from Guelph to Midland, Ontario. The article includes some great pictures as well!
Read it here...
you may want to sign up for next year's venture!
CANTICLE OF THE SUN, St. Francis of Assisi
The Season of Creation runs yearly between September 1 and October 4; a time of year where we are invited to pray and care for creation. We share this prayer in response to our reflection on creation this past month.
Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day
and through whom you give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour;
and bears a likeness of you, Most High.
Praised be you, my Lord,
through Sister Moon and the stars,
in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be you, my Lord,
through Brother Wind,
and through the air,
cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather
through whom you give sustenance to your creatures.
Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom you light the night,
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
