Star Gazer W49

 A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.

Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

~ Isaiah 40:3-5 ~

Luminaries Note: Fall 2023

The Star of the North Retreat House publishes a bi-annual Luminaries newsletter to celebrate our supporters and donors. We want you to know the fall edition was not published with regrets, due to our 70th Anniversary Dinner event and a busier than usual autumn of programs and bookings. Stay tuned for our spring Luminaries celebrating past and future events taking place at the Star this fall, winter and spring. Look for us in Spring 2024!

December Programs

What a December we’ve been having! Over 180 folks participated in the public lecture Bridging the Unbridgeable Gap with Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI this past Friday. Tonight over 120 supporters will gather to celebrate 70 years ministry at Star of the North. As we wind our way toward the Christmas season and a new year, we wanted to highlight what else December has in store over here.

• Advent Retreat: This Saturday, December 9th, Bob & Joan Williston of the Redemptorist Mission Team will lead an Advent retreat of music and reflection entitled You Who Are On the Road. Registration closes today at 9:00 pm. Visit www.starofthenorth.ca/advent for full information.
  
  
• A Gilded Christmas Art Night: On Wednesday evening, December 13th, our creative facilitators Beverly Bunker and Émile Bélanger will host our second Artful Reflections evening entitled A Gilded Christmas. Come create gilded ornaments out of wooden shapes using simple items for easy-to-make projects. Plan a friends night out, or an evening with a grandkid. No skills needed! All materials are provided. Registration closes Monday. Visit www.starofthenorth.ca/artful to join the fun.
  
  
• Author Sylvain Lavoie: Next week, Friday evening and Saturday, December 15 & 16 we are pleased to celebrate with Star chaplain Archbishop Emeritus Sylvain Lavoie, OMI a retreat connected to the release of his latest book Claiming God’s Love: Drawing on the Wisdom of Henri Nouwen. Join a day of stories, scripture, and reflection as we learn to journey into self-awarness and greater self-love. Registration ends Wednesday. Visit www.starofthenorth.ca/love for full information.
  
  

A Peak Into 2024 - Registration Now Open

January will bring some exciting programs to the Star, and early registration can save you up to 20% off.

• Monthly Twilight Recovery Evenings resume on January 4 for anyone in a 12-Step Program or wanting to learn more about addiction and recovery. Find out more at www.starofthenorth.ca/twilight.
  
  
• We are accepting new applicants for our winter formation module of Aurora Living grounded in the letters of the New Testament is entitled Communion: Words for a New Community. Our opening retreat kicks off January 19-21, followed by two Saturday retreats, smaller Wisdom Circle gatherings, monthly online resources and optional spiritual direction. We encourage you to consider engaging other life-long learners in a community at the intersection of faith and contemporary issues such as creation care, justice & reconciliation. The presenters for our Winter 2024 module include Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat, Lewis Cardinal, and Ron Rolheiser. You can find out more about the upcoming module at www.starofthenorth.ca/communion. Early registration ends December 15. 
  
  
• Following Jesus in the Ruins of Empire is a public lecture and weekend retreat with biblical scholar, activist, and author Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat. Faced with the degradation of creation, the trauma created by colonization, and the violence caused by immense wealth and privilege, how might we gain wisdom for following Jesus in our own time? Join us for an evening or the whole weekend as we draw inspiration from the early church in the face of Roman empire. www.starofthenorth.ca/empire
  
  
• A unique 5-week journey entitled Wandering Home: Renegotiating Spiritual Home & Belonging begins Tuesday, January 23 with chaplain, therapist, and spiritual director Becky Moritz Bonham. This safe, gathered community is for those wrestling with doubts and/or disenfranchised with the Church and faith. To find out more, visit www.starofthenorth.ca/wander. Early registration ends December 15.
  
  
• The Star celebrates the seventh gathering of Bridges to Contemplative Living, a 9-week Wednesday afternoon contemplative gathering based on the writings of Thomas Merton and beginning on January 24th. This group, facilitated by contemplative Anita Allsopp is now entering its fourth year of gently leading participants toward personal spiritual transformation. The theme for the winter gathering is Adjusting Your Life’s Vision. You can find out more at www.starofthenorth.ca/bridges.