Contemplative Outreach Eastern Ontario Guided Silent Retreat for Spring 2026
Dates: Wednesday, May 27 – Friday, May 29, 2026
Guest Teacher: Therese DesCamps
Host: Susan Kehoe
Cost: $385 (single), $320 (double), $190 (commuter)
Our hands imbibe like roots
so I place them on what is beautiful in this world.
And I fold them in prayer, and they
draw from the heavens
light.
(St. Francis of Assisi)
Contemplative steadfastness is incarnational. It is rooted in a clear look at temporal reality, informed by the sturdy vision of the heart, and grounded in wisdom and community.
Using the framework of this short prayer by St. Francis of Assisi, this retreat will examine our assumptions about meditation practice; invite us to explore how we are interwoven with all of life; experience beauty and sense connection; feel our way into the broad reach of the communion of saints; and sustain the practice of joyful surrender.
A few partial bursaries are available, please contact susankehoe15@gmail.com
Click here for the retreat schedule
Image: “The Passion of the Earth” by Sr. Mary Southard, csj
Guest Teacher: Therese DesCamp
Therese DesCamp has spent 40 years designing and leading retreats, 39 years in 12-step recovery, and 33 years as an ordained minister and spiritual director. She has been writing since she could hold a pencil. She was long listed for a 2023 CBC Nonfiction award, and her recent publication is – Hands Like Roots: Notes on an Entangled Contemplative Life (Santos Press, 2025); Therese serves as Board Chair for The Contemplative Society. and lives in New Denver, B.C. with her husband George Meier. https://widespot.ca/therese-descamp/
Host: Susan Kehoe
Susan has been engaged in contemplative retreat design and facilitation for over 25 years, and is the Coordinator of Contemplative Outreach Eastern Ontario. She is a trained spiritual director, Veriditas ™ Certified Labyrinth Facilitator and M4 Qualified Mindfulness Teacher. Susan tends a walking meditation path in her garden labyrinth, writes and is active in exploring how to live a more sustainable life. Let the Soul be fed for Earthsake!
Contemplative Outreach teaches and practices the way of Centering prayer; however, all ways of silent prayer are most welcome.