Peace on Earth
DEVELOPMENT
GivingTuesday is the opening day of a global movement of the charitable community to remind us all to think of others and our communities as well as ourselves: through donations, volunteering and acts of kindness.
 
Ignatius Jesuit Centre strives to promote an appreciation of the interconnectedness of spiritual life and environmental sustainability. You can contribute by registering for a retreat, purchasing a winter share of organic vegetables, participating in a reforestation workshop, volunteering, or with a donation.  

For more information, please contact the Development Office at 519 824 1250 ext 257 or send an email to development@ignatiusguelph.ca.  
BOARD UPDATE
Each year the Ignatius Board goes through a recruitment process to find new board members. This fall be we said farewell to Artur Suski SJ, Nancy Peverley, Neil Blair and Matt Stanley.  
 
Please join our returning members: Dolores Bergin (chair) Nadia Martin, Roger Yaworski SJ (president), Dan Leckman SJ, Karen Dysart (treasurer), Cristina Vanin, Sean Farrelly, Hilary Jenkins and Dave Creamer SJ in welcoming our newest members: Greg Kennedy SJ, Tracy McLennan, Steve Harrison and Doug McLachlan.
LOYOLA HOUSE RETREATS & PROGRAMS
For all of our retreats, please register online.

For more program options, see the 2017-2018 Loyola House Programs booklet.

Interested in becoming a spiritual director or in brushing up your skills?  Read more here about upcoming training programs and workshops.  Consider signing up for one!

Upcoming Retreats -  Each retreat date is linked to our website for more information  
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?  Are you free  February 23-25
 
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 executivedirector@ignatiusguelph.ca. 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.

AN UPDATE FROM JOHN GOVAN, SJ
I had started at Loyola House because of brain surgery and I was missioned to Pickering after repeating the same type of surgery.  St. Ignatius would call this repetition.  One retires from a mission, but one never retires from being a finite human being who is loved.  God chooses us first.     

I also want to express my gratitude to everyone who remembered me by sending prayers, donations or get well cards.  After 8 months, I am well enough to have visitors.  However, you must phone René Goupil House first at 905-839-5157 ext. 222 to arrange a time.

GIFT IDEAS FOR THIS CHRISTMAS
Consider giving a gift certificate towards a retreat, an Ignatius Farm CSA share, community garden plot, or tickets to the 2018 Taste of Diversity dinners.  Contact Andrea at 519-824-1250 ext 241 or email officecoordinator@ignatiusguelph.caDeadline: December 18.

UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events!
  • Jesuit Community Open HouseThis Sunday, December 3 from 2-4pm at Loyola House. You are invited to join us, bring your family, or a friend or two!  The details can be found here.
  • Taste of Diversity Dinners 2018 - April 18, June 12, November 14 - Three dinners from around the world. $60 ea dinner or $150 for all three! Space is limited. For tickets call 519-824-1250 ext 241 or email officecoordinator@ignatiusguelph.ca.  The dinner themes will be released in the new year.  A great gift idea!
IGNATIUS FARM
Harvesting greens in the new hoop house for the winter shares 
CSA Winter Shares - 2 month option!
Four (4) pick-up weeks of late harvest/storage crops, plus some greens from the new hoophouse! Also new ... a St. Georges Park Neighbourhood pick-up location...  Register for the new December & January roots and shoots share 
 
Craving your Ignatius 2018 fresh harvest? 
Secure your CSA share or garden plot NOW and save big-time!  2017 prices until Dec 20th! Honoured for those who make the commitment by paying in cash, cheque or debit.  Submit with  registration form by mail, at the Farm Workshop or at Loyola House.

Online farm registration with 2018 pricing will be available in mid-December.
 
We have bid farewell to our interns, and are now building the 2018 farm team. Stay tuned to the Ignatius Jesuit Centre employment page for upcoming opportunities!
 
2017 Farm Team
STORIES plus more!
REDUCING THE CARBON FOOTPRINT
Fr. Roger Yaworski SJ demonstrating how to charge the Volt
When the Jesuit Community (Guelph) Prius died last month the Jesuits replaced it with a Chevy Volt.  They moved from having a hybrid to being electrified.  This new change is in hopes of leaving less of a carbon footprint.  After 1000 KM they have only had to put in $20.00  in gas.

PAEAN TO A VOLUNTEER
- by Susan Sprague, Kitchen Manager

The Loyola House kitchen is different from any other kitchen I have worked in during my thirty <ahem> years as a chef.  The pace is very different from restaurants, the view is so much better, the clients are wonderful, the ambiance, the onsite farm, the creative scope...I could (and do) go on and on. 

One difference that has a huge impact is our crew of
Virginia,
one of our kitchen volunteers

volunteers.  We currently have 6 amazing individuals who drop in, according to our needs and their availability, to help us out.  They wash dishes, peel carrots, make salads, serve soup, clear tables, ask insightful/incisive questions and generally help with our burdens and lift our hearts.

Virginia has been volunteering in the kitchen for about 7 years now.  She comes once or twice a week (thrice occasionally when we are in great need) and calmly goes about keeping the dining room stocked, the coffee measured, lemons cut, dishes washed and everything neatened up.  Before coming to the kitchen, she worked on our organic farm - smashing all "volunteer hours/week" records.  I think they have forgiven us for stealing her...

Virginia has a long history in the community, in political work and social activism.  In addition to the physical work she does, she also keeps us up to date on current events, downtown life and what movies are worth seeing!  She has also been on several retreats at Loyola House and she has come to better appreciate "how important the role of the kitchen, the food and the experience of eating together in silence" is to the retreat experience.  We can't disagree!

So, thank you, Virginia!  The physical help is golden.  The company, calm conversation, loyalty and the example of 'joy in service' is diamonds.
 
IGNATIUS FARM 1
Greg Kennedy, SJ
 
Be
 
It said
Aloud:
 
To lie down
In a stand
Of cedars
 
Beyond the plough
Of Ignatius
Farm is to stop
And surrender
 
Something beautiful
Of yourself to the
Ordinary grace
Forever waiting
Where you always walk.