1 – 6 August 2025.

Following 2024’s retreat Mind the Gaps presented by Fr Bernard McGrath, this retreat continues to explore the spiritual wealth left us by Christ in the meditation tradition of John Main. 

We will reflect more deeply on their teachings, in particular the understanding of John Main’s encouragement to “Shun thoughts and ideas. Shun everything that takes you away from the poverty of that one word (the mantra).”

Ironically, perhaps, we shall delve into the product of ‘The Enlightenment’ which has been the loss of earlier understandings of “mind/soul” as it has recently been explored in Paul Ham’s “The Soul. A History of the Human Mind,” Penguin Australia, 2024. 

St Paul in 2 Cor 4.3-6 reminds us:

“If indeed our gospel be found veiled, the only people who find it so are those on their way to perdition. Their unbelieving minds are so blinded by the god of this passing age, that the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the very image of God, cannot dawn upon them and bring them light. It is not ourselves that we proclaim. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For the same God who said – ‘Out of darkness let light shine’ – has caused his light to shine within us, to give the light of revelation – the revelation of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ .” 

In sites sacred to our indigenous brothers and sisters, reflections in the landscapes of the their sacred sites, point to the light on the horizon before all of us, especially those reflecting Christ on the journey.

Within the wonderful and deeply moving context of the heart of Australia represented in the image of the West MacDonald ranges (below), viewed from across the claypans in which we get the pastel colourings of both the early morning ranges, the vegetation in both the foreground and the background plus the equally delicately coloured sky, all reflected in the waters, you are invited to meditate on how our minds are to possess the mind of Christ.

Cost: Packages from $450 – $1,095

From late Friday afternoon 1st August until Wednesday lunchtime 6th August.

There will be 3 levels of accommodation offered, numbers are limited in each level, all-inclusive prices for the 5 nights are

* Private room $1,095 per person

* Shared room $775 per person

* Swag camping $635 per person

* It’s possible to come daily (non-residential) $450 for all sessions and meals

Free accommodation (in a caravan) is reserved for one volunteer, in exchange for their assistance throughout the event, ideally arriving a few days before the retreat and staying on afterward to assist with clean-up and preparing for the next guests. Minimum 2-week volunteering stay. More information about volunteering here.

NO. OF PARTICIPANTS Around 15

ENQUIRIES Susan Sullivan soosully@icloud.com

Bernard Leslie McGrath OSB bmcgrath1048@gmail.com

To enquire about possible scholarship assistance taylor.judi@outlook.com