Jesus the Gardener

Event Details

In her Easter encounter with the Risen Lord, Mary Magdalene “supposed that he was the gardener” (John 20:15). 

In this retreat we will reflect on Christ as the “Gardener of a New Creation”, planting seeds of forgiveness in our hearts, nurturing with showers of love, cutting down weeds of domination, and harvesting an abundant crop—a loving community of justice, compassion and peace. 

The opening presentation will focus on the encounter between Mary Magdalene and the Risen Lord. In it we will reflect on Mary Magdalene, symbol of the church, in her transition from profound grief to her mission as apostle to the apostles.  Upon hearing the Lord refer to the apostles as “brothers”, she experiences the newness of resurrection life – the “New Creation” - the life of forgiveness and intimacy with the “Gardener” Christ. 

Then, with images, stories and rituals, we will consider four “eucharistic missions” of the Gardener of the New Creation:  to be taken, blessed, broken, and given; and four “eucharistic actions” of the Gardener:  He takes, blesses, breaks, and gives. Can we proclaim with Mary Magdalene: “I have seen the Lord”?  There will be times for silence, journaling, sharing.

FACILITATOR

Sister Teresita Kambeitz, OSU, is a professor emerita of Newman Theological College where she established and taught in the Master of Religious Education degree program for eleven years followed by another twelve on the Saskatoon extension-site. She currently conducts retreats, writes for the Catholic Missions in Canada magazine, and serves on several diocesan committees. She also teaches in the Winnipeg Nathanael Adult Education program.  Her vocation as teacher has been carried out in Swift Current, in Saskatoon at Holy Cross High School and St. Thomas More College, as well as overseas in summer courses for teachers in the British Virgin Islands, Barbados, Venezuela, Latvia and South Africa.

An Ursuline of Prelate, Sister Teresita has served in various leadership roles in the community for almost 30 years, including eight years as General Superior. She holds two bachelors’ degrees, two masters’ degrees, a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and a degree in piano. She grew up in Richmound, Saskatchewan, in the south-west corner of the province, in a family of two parents, four sisters and four brothers. She maintains close relationships with Sisters, family and friends, enjoys meeting immigrants and refugees, attends classical music concerts, and likes a good game of Scrabble. She lives in Saskatoon. 

SCHEDULE (subject to change)

Tuesday, September 23

6:30 pm       Registration & Community (informal)
7:00 pm       Session 1: Public Lecture
8:15 pm       Close

Wednesday, September 24

8:00 am       Breakfast (live-in only)
9:00 am       Session 2
10:00 am     Break
11:00 am     Session 3
12:00 pm     Lunch
1:00 pm       Personal Time & Reflection
4:00 pm       Session 4
5:00 pm       Close
5:30 pm       Dinner

Thursday, September 25

8:00 am       Breakfast (live-in only)
9:00 am       Session 5
10:00 am     Break
11:00 am     Closing Mass
12:00 pm     Lunch

REGISTRATION Please register by September 1st. 

Live-In ................................. $390
Includes two-night stay and all meals. To extend or upgrade your retreat stay please contact programs@starofthenorth.ca

Commuter ............................ $290
Includes Tuesday supper, Wednesday lunch & supper, Thursday lunch.

Zoom .................................... $190
Live coverage of all five sessions.

Register

Schedule