Retreat in Daily Life – Pilgrims of Hope

A “Retreat in Daily Life” gives you a special opportunity to draw closer to God in your personal prayer at home, by following a set pattern of prayerful meditations on various readings and Scripture passages over several days, while continuing your daily routine of living and work. It has a rich dimension as it enables people to integrate prayer and spirituality into living your ordinary everyday life. It is an opportunity to be affirmed in prayer and to experience different ways of praying. This form of retreat is suitable for people of all ages and church backgrounds, or no religious affiliation at all.

Retreat in Daily Life is an opportunity to: • spend time getting acquainted or reacquainted with God • examine the priorities of life • make concrete and practical resolutions for improvement This can be a powerful step toward personal conversion. What is involved? The Retreat in Daily Life format is based on having at least 20–30-minute prayer time with a Scripture/reflective passage each day at home and being accompanied during the retreat by a Prayer/Spiritual Companion. The Prayer/Spiritual companion (Spiritual Director) is committed to confidentiality by their code of conduct. Your Prayer companion commits to praying for you daily.

You commit yourself to:

• Two group sessions – one to begin and one to conclude the Retreat – these are mandatory – approx. 2 hours in duration. [i.e. Opening Session Sunday 10th August 2025 at 2.00-4.00pm Concluding Session Sunday 17th August 2025 at 2.00-4.00pm]

• A half-hour of personal prayer each day.

• Two 45minute meetings at an appropriate time/s with the Prayer/Spiritual Companion. This will take place at your chosen personal time at St Joseph’s Baulkham Hills.

The purpose of meeting with a Prayer/Spiritual companion focuses on what is happening in your daily prayer – and noticing where the Spirit of God is leading you. This is aimed to enrich your personal prayer time The starting point for your prayer is usually Scripture and relates to your own journey. A Retreat in Daily Life is a way to give yourself some space in your busy life. The Retreat offers opportunities for the ongoing integration of the Gospel with daily life. It provides a wonderful, effective way of discovering God in all things. The process is prayer – reflection – sharing.

First Gathering Session: – Sunday 10th August 2025 at 2.00-4.00pm (or other chosen time): This is an opportunity for those who have chosen to take part in this format of retreat to meet and greet each other.

Process:

• Short input/ prayer reflection to set the scene of retreat.

• The format of the retreat will be explained.

• You will receive your Retreat Booklet.

• The role of the Prayer/Spiritual companion will be explored.

• You will choose your two suitable times of meeting with the Prayer/Spiritual Companion over this week. These times will flow from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm each day of the week of retreat.

• Concluding Gathering Session – Sunday 17th August 2025 at 2.00-4.00pm (or other chosen time).

This is an opportunity to:

• Evaluate your week.

• Share your personal experiences.

• Decide what might come next for you.

Prayer clears the mist and brings peace back to the soul ~ Rumi.

For Prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God ~ Teresa of Avila.

Sr Ann Morrison is a Sister of Joseph of the Sacred Heart, currently residing in the beautiful Blue Mountains at Katoomba NSW. Ann’s main ministry is Retreat Facilitation, Spiritual Direction and Adult Faith Formation. Ann endeavours to use educational, pastoral, scriptural and life experiences to develop more deeply her call to be aware of and utilise the activity of God in life to live more authentically from that space.