Brigid and the Hospitality of God is the theme for our annual Celtic retreat this August. Come join us on Camano Island WA for this wonderful weekend. More details here
- share a time of guided retreat and reflection beginning at 9am Saturday morning with coffee and snacks. enjoy the prayer trails and prayerful activities during the afternoon celebrate with a BBQ potluck dinner that night.
- Both kids and students will have a program designed especially for their time at the Retreat.
- We also invite you to camp with us Friday and Saturday nights, and to share morning and evening prayers and a time of reflective worship Sunday morning.
- Find out about the different options here
Jesus, who welcomes all who come to him, shows us the pattern that is repeated in Eastern hospitality and in the Celtic way of life. The idea that the one I welcome is the “Christ in the stranger’s guise” calls me to recognize the image of God in all persons and the presence of God in all creation. This understanding changes my attitude toward every person. I open my heart and seek the good, rather than raise my walls of defense and look with suspicion. Celtic spirituality teaches not only hospitality to the stranger but welcome to the poor and the marginalized.
At the retreat we will use the life of Brigid, one of my favourite Celtic saints, to guide us. She became abbess at the monastery of Kildaire where, under her leadership, a thousand meals were reportedly served each day. I always use Brigid’s Feast as a grace for our retreats. This year our liturgies, songs and scripture readings will also revolve around her love for the poor and her generous hospitality.
Each year our Saturday meals are potlucks with delicious salads and desserts contributed by attendees. This year we would like to start collecting some of these wonderful recipes to help us get to know each other better. So if you plan to come, write out your recipe with your name and contact information send it to us so that we can make these available for other attendees. This year’s retreat will be a grand summer celebration of welcome and feasting.
Most exciting of all we will dedicate our first building on the property. Last week Tom and I visited the site where the green roof is now being installed. It should be completed by the time of the retreat, and we hope that you can join us for this exciting celebration.