Mount Carmel is home to the Canadian National Shrine to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
Mass available Monday- Friday at 11:15am
Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre is pleased to offer a variety of retreats, days of prayer and renewal, and workshops throughout the year. Click on the links below for program information and registration instructions.
Retreats and Workshops
Ongoing Activities
COME AWAY DAY
Call 905 356 4113 for details and dates
SILENT MEDITATION
​
Mondays at 10am, Wednesdays at 10am. Fridays at 10am
​
Hosted by: Fr. Thomas Hakala O. Carm.
Meditation will be held in the Niagara room on the 4th floor.
Cost: Free will offering
​
You are invited to come and experience meditation as a way of bringing peace, harmony and joy to your life. Meditation is a way to assist you live a mindful life, to enhance your day-to-day awareness by living in the present moment.
​Being is the capacity of our being: and now, in this moment, we recognize, acknowledge , and submit ourselves. We remind ourselves of this each time we live in the moment. This particular moment this is now making us joyous becomes the continuing moment of every day of every year.
​
“ New to silent meditation? If you want, plan to arrive 10 minutes before starting time, to receive some simple instruction on the process. It’s really as simple as ‘just sitting there!’ in God’s Presence and listening. “
​
​
DAILY MASS - 11:15 AM
Monday thru Friday
​
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated on weekdays at 11:15 AM in the Canadian National Shrine of St. Therese the Little Flower.
All are Welcome!
​
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Monthly Sessions
​
Spiritual direction sessions are available on a monthly basis. Please call Centre at 905-356-4113 for information.
​
SEPARATED AND DIVORCED MINISTRY
see dates at READ MORE button
​
A group of separated and divorced Catholics meet every other Monday for prayer, input and sharing. Call the Catholic Centre 905-684-0154 for information. Please note that you do not have to be Catholic to attend. Everyone is welcome!
​
​
​
Emotions Anonymous
​
Now led virtually. Please contact missisc2@hotmail.com for details
​
​
LAY CARMELITES
An Ancient Path for Today’s Pilgrim
Lay Carmelites are Roman Catholic men and women who seek to embrace God’s Will in the ordinary circumstances of everyday life.
We are part of an 800-year-old tradition of contemplative prayer, community and ministry.
​
For more information contact:
Trudy at 905-732-0670
​
​
​
One Day Workshops
​​​​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​AGING GRACEFULLY
Led by : Anna Racine
Date: Sat. April 12 (9:30am-3:30pm - includes lunch)
Cost: $70
​
We often thing of aging gracefully as "looking old, but still holding on" or "showing signs of aging, but still moving forward with life." Aging gracefully is not all about age or appearance, but also about the attitude we have as we go through the various stages of life.
Explore how our feelings about aging can play a big role in how we approach it. Find tools to be able to remain open to new experiences and to grow and change with each season of our life Find ways to adapt to the changes that each stage of life presents and learn about the grieving process that accompanies them.
​
​
Call 905 356 4113 to register or email reservations@carmelniagara.com
​
​
​“All Things New”
Spring Day Retreat
Saturday, April 26th
9:30-3:30
Cost: $70
Led by: Beth Woelk
As Spring awakens the earth from its Winter slumber, we feel a stirring in our spirits - a call to renewal and fresh growth. This is a day pause and reflect upon the profound spiritual invitations that Spring offers. Together we’ll consider the places where we are longing for hope and transformation in our lives. Let’s listen for the whispers of the One who makes all things new.
This retreat will include group times, time for individual reflection, a guided contemplative walk on the beautiful Monastery property, and a delicious lunch. Give yourself the gift of a day to slow down and to reconnect with yourself, kindred souls, God’s Spirit, and the Earth's rhythms. A gift that will allow us to re-engage our lives in refreshed and replenished ways!
​
Find out more about Beth at www.bethwoelk.com
​​
​
Call 905 356 4113 to register or email reservations@carmelniagara.com
​
​
​
LOVING AND RESPECTING YOURSELF
Led by: Anna Racine
Date: Sat. May 24 (930am-3:30pm includes lunch)
Cost: $70
​
Respecting and loving yourself does not make you conceited or self-centered. It is about achieving a deep sense of self-worth and self-love. It is about making the right decisions and taking the right steps when it comes to your life.
This Workshop will guide you with tools on how to begin this process. We will explore the aspects of self esteem and learn how to appreciate and value ourselves. How can we demand love and respect from others when we do not give it to ourselves?
“Respect and love is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves.”
​​
​
Call 905 356 4113 to register or email reservations@carmelniagara.com
​
​​
Anger Iceberg
​
Date: Sat July 5 (930am-330pm)
Led by: Anna Racine
Cost: $70 (includes lunch)
​
Getting Angry is only the tip of the Iceberg. Anger is a secondary emotion. Understanding the cause of anger is the first step to managing it.
This Workshop will identify the causes of anger and explore our own beliefs and patterns of response. Learn how to respond to anger on a day-to-day basis in a healthy, constructive, and creative ways.
​
​
​
Call 905 356 4113 to register or email reservations@carmelniagara.com
​
​
Finding God in the
Every Day
​
Date: Sat Aug 16 (930am-330pm )
Led by: Anna Racine
Cost: $70 (includes lunch)
​
Do you feel like you can't find God? What if he is waiting for you right where you are? The most amazing thing happens when we decide to search for God in the everyday. We find Him in the most unexpected places. God is always there, waiting for us to seek Him.
In this Workshop learn how to search for God in the little things, the small moments, the everyday. Be amazed what you will find when you commit to search for God in your everyday life.
​
Click here for presenter bios​
​
To register call 905 356 4113 or email reservations@carmelniagara.com
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Overnight Retreats
(Prices include accommodation and meals)
​​​​​​​​​​​​​HOLY WEEK
​
Led by: Fr. Stan Makacinas O. Carm. and Ministerial Team
April 16-20 (Wednesday check-in by 4PM to Sunday Brunch)
​
Triduum Retreat Cost: $165 per day (includes Seder and Easter brunch)
​Call for details 905 356 4113
“Questions on the Quest”
“Jesus set his face to Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51)
Jesus was determined to go to Jerusalem and continue his mission to announce the Kingdom of God. His entrance into the city excited the people and infuriated some leaders. His quest took some startling turns during this week.
The Carmelite community invites you to join them to explore some of the questions that all may encounter during their personal quests, especially in light of the Holy Week events. The ceremonies of Holy Week, reflections on the questions on a quest presented by Carmelites Fr. Stan Makacinas and Deacon Ryan Resurección, as well some time for personal and communal prayer will engage each on their personal quest. Spiritual directors will be available during the retreat.
The retreat begins with the Seder celebration on Wednesday, 16 April 2025 at 5:00 PM and concludes with Easter Brunch on Sunday, 20 April. Come for all or a part of the retreat. Guests are welcome to spend private days before or after the retreat. The cost is $165 per day. Please contact the Spiritual Centre Office (905-356-4113) to make a reservation by April 1.
​
​​​​​​Call 905 356 4113 to register or email reservations@carmelniagara.com
​
​
SEDER CELEBRATION
Date: Wed April 16 5pm​
Led by: Fr. Stanley Makacinas O. Carm.
Cost: $60per person
​​
Seder is the celebration of the festival of Passover, which commemorates the Exodus, the historical deliverance of the Jewish people from Egyptian bondage in the days of Moses. Seder means “order.” The religious nature of the Seder with its carefully “ordered” rituals makes this dinner unlike ordinary family dinners. It is an opportunity for each participant to relive the Exodus as a personal spiritual event.
The Carmelite community invites you to participate in this special religious meal and enter into the joy of God’s deliverance of his people then and now.
The Seder meal will be celebrated on Wednesday, 16 April, at the Monastery of Mount Carmel beginning at 5:00 PM.
​
*register by April 4
​
​​​​​​Call 905 356 4113 to register or email reservations@carmelniagara.com
​
​
​
​
SOUL CARE RETREAT-Accompanied on the Journey
​
​Date: Fri May 30 -Sun June 1
Cost: $550.00
Led by: Cathy AJ Hardy and Beth Woelk
​​
​
**PLEASE REGISTER BY APRIL 4
​
​This Soul Care® Retreat will be a weekend retreat of Pause for the Soul through prayer meditations, poetry, and music.
​
With music of the soul, meditative art images, and prayer practices that open the heart, this retreat will be a time of solace and renewal.
​
A spacious place to receive and know restoration of the heart. Soul Care® Retreats are created to give opportunity for people to come back home to themselves & to God. Rooted in Contemplative traditions (including Carmelite & Ignatian spirituality,
Celtic Christianity, & Jungian psychology). This retreat wields together times of stillness, journaling meditations, experiencing nature, art, poetry, song and much more.
​
Please the link below An Evening of Sung Prayer concert (included in the retreat but also available as a separate event.
​
​https://EveningOfSungPrayer-Niagara.eventbrite.ca
​
​
​
To register call 905 356 4113 or email reservations@carmelniagara.com
​
​​
​
THE GRIEF JOURNEY RETREAT
A Safe, Caring, and Nurturing Weekend Designed to Transform Your Grief
Date: Fri June 27-Sun June 29
Led by: Anna Racine
Cost: $350
Grief is a profound experience and a very personal journey. Our grief experience is as unique as we are.
Whether you are currently grieving or have experienced a loss some time ago and have not had the opportunity to grieve, this Retreat will provide insight, hope and support as you journey through the painful times of grief and loss in your life.
The Grief Journey is for those who have experienced loss through death, separation/divorce, loss of a relationship or who are going through a life transition.
This Retreat will provide a supportive space to examine your loss and to explore how to navigate through the grief. You will be guided with tools that will enable you to move forward with the healing process.
​
“Grief must be witnessed to heal.”
​
​
​
To register call 905 356 4113 or email reservations@carmelniagara.com
​​
​​
​
ICON WRITING WORKSHOP-
​
​
Date: Sun. June 29- July 5
Cost: $820 room and board (+ art supplies)
​Master Iconographer will guide students through creating one complete icon (to be determined).
​
​
Any level of experience is accepted. Each step is demonstrated to students, followed by time to copy what has been taught. Students will learn: filling in, rendering clothes and flesh, 23 karat gold leafing, and varnishing. In addition, students will gain familiarity with ruling pens an ruling pen compasses, and information of preparation of panels for painting.
​
Students will need to pre order their art boards and supplies directly through master iconographer.- call centre for details
​
Enrollment is limited so register early.
​​
To register call 905 356 4113 or email reservations@carmelniagara.com
CHANGE AND TRANSITION
A Psychospiritual Approach
​
Date: Friday July 11-Sunday July 13
Cost: $350
Led by: Kathryn McMorrow
A gentle, personalized exploration of the nature and dynamics of change and the often difficult and confusing transition between what we have left - or what has been taken from us - and where we are headed as a result.
This includes the effects on our health, spiritual well-being, relationships and sense of self as we move forward with our lives. Of interest to anyone who has experienced major changes that they are still working through or who is anticipating or planning a significant change in their life.
The weekend will include mini-presentations, group work, listening partners, personal prayer and reflection and other meditative activities. If you wish, bring a journal and materials for artwork.
For more information or to decide if this retreat is appropriate for you at this time, email questions to Kathryn at innovationsca@yahoo.ca REGISTRATION IS THROUGH MOUNT CARMEL.
​
​
​
To register call 905 356 4113 or email reservations@carmelniagara.com
​
​
​
THE WISDOM OF THE HEART
Date: Monday July 14-Friday July 18
Cost:$680
Led by: Kathryn McMorrow
"Our hearts are restless till they rest in Thee"
St. Augustine
A retreat which explores the physical, psychological and spiritual aspects of the heart with the opportunity to reflect on or discover your heart’s deepest desire at this point in your life.
Topics will include: the relationship between the brain and the heart, the importance of heart coherence, the effects of stress on the heart, the role of intuition and the many facets of compassion.
Mornings will consist of opening prayer, mini-presentations, group work and listening partners. Afternoons will be for personal integration: periods of silence for prayer and reflection, time in nature, lectio divina and walking the labyrinth. Meals can be taken in silence or conversation. If you wish, bring materials for artwork, some spiritual reading, a journal and some comfortable walking shoes.
Retreatants will leave with a greater understanding of the miracle that is their heart and with practices to access the wisdom of the heart in daily life. For further information email questions to Kathryn at innovationsca@yahoo.ca REGISTRATION IS THROUGH MOUNT CARMEL
​
​
​
To register call 905 356 4113 or email reservations@carmelniagara.com
​
​​
Stop & Smell The Roses - Treasure Today Retreat
Date: Fri July 25-Sun July 27
Led by: Anna Racine
Cost: $350
Spending time in the past or in the future is something we all struggle with. When we do this too often, we rob ourselves of living in the here and now. This weekend is an opportunity to disconnect from the outside world and to slow down.
Being present means not only appreciating the moment you are living in, but actually living in that moment!
Rest, relax and refresh and learn how to truly experience the gift of being present. Find tools on how to enjoy life more fully and not dwell on the past or live in the future. Explore becoming aware and awake of the beauty of each new day.
Optional – Labyrinth walks, guided meditation and prayer spaces.
​
​
To register call 905 356 4113 or email reservations@carmelniagara.com
​
​
​
SUMMER STILLNESS
A Retreat for Women
​
Date: Mon Aug 11- Fri Aug 15
Cost:$ 680
Led by: Kathryn McMorrow
Relax, renew and reenergize in the tranquil and welcoming environment of Mount Carmel. Inspired by the women of the gospels and role models in our own lives, we will explore the nature and meaning of personal power and agency I.e. the sense of control and direction that you feel in your life, your capacity to influence your own thoughts and behaviours and your faith in your ability to handle a wide range of life’s challenges.
Themes will include: the four pillars of agency; how personal power can be distorted through people pleasing and lack of boundaries; the importance of our spiritual practices in maintaining our connection with the Source of our personal power; and how to use it effectively in decision-making, relationships and in the service of our unique gifts.
Input sessions will be balanced with group work and listening partners, and periods of silence for prayer and reflection, lectio divina and walking the labyrinth. Retreatants are encouraged to choose the meditative activities that most meet their needs. Meals can be taken in silence or in conversation. If you wish, bring materials for artwork, some spiritual reading, a journal and some comfortable walking shoes.
For more information email questions to Kathryn at innovationsca@yahoo.ca REGISTRATION IS THROUGH MOUNT CARMEL
​​
​
​
​
To register call 905 356 4113 or email reservations@carmelniagara.com
Directed and Private
Retreats
Call the Centre Office for availability
​
Call for rates and availability
​​
A directed retreat for can be an inspirational experience. There is daily opportunity to meet with a spiritual companion who listens as you share your prayer experience. Sometimes we need time away from our busy schedules to relax, pray and reflect. A directed retreat can be arranged for three to seven days.
For those who seek time alone without a spiritual companion, a private retreat may help nurture your inner self. A private retreat can last from one to five days.
Accommodation and meals are provided.
​
​
​