Retreat Dates: December 11-13, 2026
Location: Galilee Centre, 398 John St. N, Arnprior
Facilitator: Dr. Heather Eaton, Author and Full Professor, Saint Paul University
Click here to register online or call the Galilee office at 613-623-4242 x21.
Click here to download event poster.
Experiences of wonder and awe shape our lives. They bring depth, solace, and inspiration.
Come explore the dimensions of wonder, and how such experiences educate, orient, and ground our lives.
We will examine the relationships among wonder, beauty, ethics, spirituality, and reverence.
The connection between wonder and the natural world will be a key focus. If we can understand wonder and experiences of nature, we gain spiritual depth and awareness, and we are more able to address ecological issues.
Wonder is the foundation of a spiritual life. Come join us for this rich and meaningful time together!
Retreat Schedule
Below is a retreat overview. This retreat will include input sessions, guided reflections, communal ritual, group discussions, and plenty of opportunities to experience wonder around the grounds of Galilee, including the forests, trails, and river. A more detailed schedule will be posted closer to the retreat date.
Friday evening: The Meaning of Wonder
Saturday morning: Architecture of Wonder | Wonder and the Natural World
Saturday afternoon: Guided Reflection: A Journey into Wonder | Discussions on themes within wonder
Saturday evening: Open discussion | Short collective ritual/ceremony
Sunday morning: Wonder and Spirituality | Wonder, Ecology, and Spirituality
The retreat will begin Friday evening. Arrival/check-in is between 6:00 – 7:00 PM, with the first session starting at 7:30 PM. The retreat will conclude with lunch on Sunday. Please note that dinner will not be served on Friday evening. We will have some light snacks and refreshments available. We encourage you to enjoy dinner at one of the many terrific local restaurants in the town of Arnprior before you arrive. The following meals are included in this retreat: Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Sunday breakfast and lunch; and snacks at break times.
Registration Pricing
Private Room – $395 (includes 2 nights accommodation, 5 meals, program fees)
Shared Room (2 beds) – $325 (includes 2 nights shared accommodations, 5 meals, program fees)
Commuter – $190 (includes 5 meals, program fees)
Dr. Heather Eaton is a Full Professor at Saint Paul University with an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in ecology, feminism and theology. She has authored and edited several books including: Earthly Things: Immanence, New Materialisms, and Planetary Thinking; Advancing Nonviolence and Social Transformation: The Intellectual Journey of Thomas Berry: Imagining the Earth Community: Ecological Awareness: Exploring Religion, Ethics and Aesthetics. Recent work includes: Integral ecology; Earth sciences; studies on gender, ecology, leadership; animal rights; wonder; and nonviolence. Dr. Eaton is a 2024 recipient of the Thomas Berry Award sponsored by the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology in recognition of her significant contributions and research on the intersections of ecological responsibility, spirituality, and social justice.
Spots for this retreat will fill up quickly – register early to secure your place!