Star Gazer W41

Things We’re Thankful For This Fall

At this time of year, where we enter a spirit of Thanksgiving and reflect on the beginning of a new program year here at The Star, here’s a few things we are thankful for:

1. The Star thanks those who supported our Camino 2024 Fundraiser. We combined our walk in support of The Star with a day of learning on how we can better care for the Sturgeon watershed. Thank you to our volunteer coordinators, John and Raymonde Schile, for taking part in the watershed workshop, for our staff and friends who joined in the walk, and the many more donors and supporters. We are enormously grateful.  With your support we raised a total of $10,644 that will go towards ministry and facility projects, i.e., Men’s Wellness Retreat, renovations of 15 upper-level bedrooms at The Star, and more. 
   
   
2. The official launch of our second-cycle of Aurora Living on September 27. We are so grateful for an amazing line-up of facilitators: Rick Faw, Harry Lafond, Ron Rolheiser, Debbie Rolfes, Rabbie Laura Duhan-Kaplan, Maureen Wild, Steve Bell, Gisele Bauche, and others who are guiding us on this Aurora journey. Registration for our winter module is now open (starofthenorth.ca/wilderness). 
   
   
3. Star Garden recently celebrated the end of our third growing season with a beautiful harvest celebration. What a year it has been! This year we hosted 10+ educational tours and events. We are on target to get bring in 1000 kilograms (1 ton!) of cucumbers, carrots, squash, peas, beans, lettuce, cabbage, kale, pumpkins, berries, zucchini, beets, broccoli, garlic, tomatoes, mushrooms, herbs, potatoes, corn and more. Approximately 50% of the food harvested has been donated to the St. Albert Food Bank, 30% has gone home with our gardeners, with the remaining 20% being used and distributed to other individual’s or groups including Foyer Lacombe and the Star Kitchen. We have been happy to have 10 Ukrainian individuals and families as active participants this year. Our dedicated group of gardeners as well as garden "guests" have together clocked over 500 volunteer hours. We are so grateful for their dedication to this project.
   
   
4. Some of our fall program offerings have also shared in the season’s abundance. Both our Bridges to Contemplative Living series and our annual Ways of the Heart women’s retreat filled up early in September, resulting in the need for a waiting list!

Of course there are so many other ministry moments that have turned our hearts with gratitude and reminded us of God’s faithful presence. As you recount your own blessings this season, we hope you’ll take the time to recall your own list. Happy thanksgiving from The Star of the North!

Program Highlights

To Love Our Sacred Earth: A Four-Part Retreat Series with Maureen Wild, SC Explore the teachings of cultural historian and geologian Thomas Berry as they interweave with the wisdom of nature-centered mystics and of nature-inspired scientists. You may register for any or all four sessions, online or in-person. Retreat 1, entitled St. Hildegard’s ‘Viriditas’ meets Thomas Berry’s ‘Spirituality of Earth’ is Saturday, October 26 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Retreat 1: $40 | Full Series: $140. Register at 78-459-5511 or at www.starofthenorth.ca/cosmos 

Centering Prayer: What is It & Why Do We Do It? How do you nurture your inner sense of quiet, faith, and well-being in the midst of this fast paced world with its many demands? Is spirituality just another one of those ‘go-to’ fixes that you think of in a time of crisis but otherwise seems irrelevant? Do you recognize a longing for inner silence and healing? Join us on Tuesday, October 29 from 6:30-8:30 pm for this brief introduction to a contemplative practice called Centering Prayer. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome to join us for this evening of exploration! Facilitators: Mary Jane Yates & Heather Mattson McCrady. Suggested donation: $20. Register at 780-459-5511 or at www.starofthenorth.ca/prayer

Wâpiwin Circles: Listening & Sharing During Challenging Times Psychologist Alice Miller believes that a listening witness is needed for people to heal. Wâpiwin – is a Cree word meaning the act of seeing. Our inclusive Listening Circles are a place where we hope to truly see one another, with witnesses listening to the stories that need to be told. The Star of the North continues to work out its commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action through healing and renewing relationships grounded in faith, hope and love. Wednesday, November 13 from 6:30-8:00 pm. Suggested donation: $20. Register at 780-459-5511 or at www.starofthenorth.ca/circle

Monk Therapy Retreat: Ancient Spiritual Practices & Modern Mental Health with Ron Klok In psychology there is growing respect for spiritual practices as contributors to positive mental health. Interestingly, many modern mental health practices are reflected in the ancient practices of the Christian mystics.This retreat looks at nine spiritual practices of the Christian mystics—talk, tears, self-knowledge, group, breath, trauma, track, imagination, imitation—how they parallel modern understanding and practice, and how we can incorporate these practices into our lives for better everyday health. Friday, November 15 at 7:00 pm to Sunday, November 17 at 1:00 pm. Early Registration (by October 15): Live-in $355 | Commuter $285 | Online $230. Register at 780-459-5511 or at www.starofthenorth.ca/monk

Domestic Monastery: A Public Lecture with Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI God is more domestic than monastic and is found more in your home than in your church. The domestic can also be the “monastic”. Your marriage, your family, and your work can be your own monastery. The alarm clock that wakes you in the morning is your monastic bell and your work and duties each day are your monastic rhythm. Monks have secrets worth knowing. This presentation will draw wisdom from the monastic tradition to shed light on our own human and spiritual journey. Friday, November 29 at 7:00 pm. Early Registration (by November 1): $25. Register at 780-459-5511 or at www.starofthenorth.ca/domestic

Generative Discipleship: Deeper Secrets in the Gospels – A retreat with Ron Rolheiser How do we move from being good to being great? How do we break the long-standing patterns and habits of mediocrity in our lives? How do we move beyond the last and deepest sadness of our lives? Come take a deeper look at the invitations that Jesus has given us to grow. The great mystics stated that when we reach the highest level of human maturity, only one question is left: How can I be more helpful? How can we be more mature and more generative? Friday, November 29 at 7:00 pm to Sunday, December 1 at 1:00 pm. Early Registration (by November 1): Live-In $355 | Commuter $285 | Online $230. Register at 780-459-5511 or at www.starofthenorth.ca/rolheiser

Waiting in Stillness: Advent Contemplative Prayer Retreat  Are you craving a time of stillness in this busy season? Have you been drawn to connect with your spiritual life but aren’t quite sure how or when to do this? As a time of expectant waiting and hope, Advent is the perfect time to do this! Learn how the practice of Centering Prayer is an experience of waiting in love for the holy to arrive. Join an in-depth introduction to the practice followed by periods of Centering Prayer, teaching, and collective reflection. Facilitators: Mary Jane Yates & Heather Mattson McCrady. Friday, December 13, 1:00 pm to Sunday, December 15, 1:00 pm. Early Registration (by Nov. 15): Live-In $375 | Commuter $335. Register at 780-459-5511 or at www.starofthenorth.ca/advent

Aurora Living: Formation Through Word & Creation is still accepting applicants for our winter module–Wilderness: The Journey to Wholeness– starting January 24, 2025. Come join a formation community growing in scripture, creation care and reconciliation! Each 3-month module includes an opening retreat weekend and two Saturday retreats, smaller Wisdom Circle gatherings, monthly online resources and optional spiritual direction. Our presenters for this module include Debbie Rolfes, Rabbi Laura Duhan-Kaplan, and Ron Rolheiser. Find out more at www.starofthenorth.ca/wilderness