Spiritual Retreat

September 13, 2024

Hearing the audacious call to be Pilgrims of Hope

A Day of Contemplation Using Scripture, Pilgrimage and Prayer

On-site at the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre on the 28 October 2024 | Book here

We live in a world where hope seems to be in short supply. Far too often, politicians and people proclaim violence and division. News cycles focus on stories of conflict and scarcity. War, poverty, and the worsening climate crisis force people to flee from their homes and seek asylum. Because of this, the call to be “Pilgrims of Hope” seems audacious. Yet, this is what we are called to be during the upcoming Jubilee. Our scriptures repeatedly remind us of God’s gracious love. Confident in this, we are invited to seek out signs of hope in our world and, most importantly, to become signs of hope for others.

This retreat will begin by exploring the theme of hope at the centre of Spes Non Confundit, Bull Of Indiction Of The Ordinary Jubilee Of The Year 2025.[1]
We will also study biblical texts related to this theme and the origins of Jubilee.
We will reflect on the presence of hope in our lives and our world.
Finally, we will consider what we can learn about hope from the practice of pilgrimage.
We will use dialogue, silence, lectio divina, visio divina, and spiritual conversation throughout the day.

This Spiritual Retreat has been approved by VCEA for 4.75 hrs towards Accreditation to Teach in a Catholic School and maintenance of Accreditation to Teach RE / Lead in a Catholic School.

Mark Walsh is a creative facilitator specialising in formation, spirituality, adult education, biblical studies, and retreats. He has extensive experience working with schools, religious congregations, and parish groups in Australia and internationally. He is also a pilgrim, pilgrimage leader, and spiritual director (accompanier) with experience in the Holy Land, on the Caminos de Santiago de Compostela, and the Aussie Camino in the footsteps of St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop. He is passionate about working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for reconciliation, justice, equity and healing and is actively involved in interfaith dialogue locally and internationally. He works part-time with the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion.

Book here

View the flyer