The Well - Monthly online meditation followed by a talk on a mystic or poet.
An invitation to drink deeply from the Well of Living Water offered by the mystics and poets: Monthly online talks, preceded by a 20 minute meditation, in which the speakers reflect on how a mystic or poet has been life-giving, a source of Living Water, in their lives.
27 April, 7.30-8.30pm (AEST) – Simone Unveiled
Speaker: Michael McGirr
Simone Weil (1909-1943) was both a philosopher and a mystic. She appeared fragile but was as tough as they come. Her journey into Christian faith was a complex story, enriched by her experience of the pain of the world. For her, that pain became a kind of well, a place from which to draw in the search for God. She said, ‘prayer is attention.’ We have a lot to gain from attending to this extraordinary young woman.
Michael McGirr is the mission facilitator of Caritas Australia. He is a well-known writer and presenter whose books have sold more than 200,000 copies both in Australia and overseas. His writing has appeared in numerous places both inside and outside the church. His book, Ideas to Save Your Life (Text) discusses the mystery of Simone Weil.
Future topics and speakers for your diaries:
25 May – On Listening to Bees and Angels: St Gobnait of Ireland.
Speaker: Dr Cath Connelly
29 June – The small miracles that transform life: Poet-priest Michael McCarthy.
Speaker: Dr Sarah Bachelard
Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84040088292?pwd=enE3Q0riwnLAO4h9OgyIk5Dwg8gWTc.1
There is no charge, but a donation towards an honorarium for our speakers would be greatly appreciated.
See: https://www.thelivingwater.com.au/checkout/donate?donatePageId=5f20c979af12d14916e8f57a
The Well is a joint initiative of Benedictus Contemplative Church (https://benedictus.com.au/), The Victorian branch of The World Community for Christian Meditation in Australia (https://wccmaustralia.org.au/), and the blog Living Water (www.thelivingwater.com.au)
Meditation and mindfulness in the Christian tradition
A 10-week course at Wellspring Spirituality Centre,
10 Y Street, Ashburton, Victoria
Saturdays 11am-12.30pm, followed by optional BYO lunch,
Dates: 8 Feb-3 May 2025
Tap into a deep spring of love, joy, peace and compassion at the centre of our being.
Jesus called it Living Water, with which we will never thirst.
Cultivate a Christ-centred mindfulness, a transforming, healing awareness of the Divine in daily life, and learn how to meditate:
• on Scripture and other sacred texts;
• by using a prayer word or mantra;
• through mindfulness of the breath and body;
• on icons and other art works;
• by using visualization.
Focussing on the practice of meditation, the course will be largely experiential. The course will introduce and draw on the ancient wisdom of several traditions of contemplative prayer, including Lectio Divina, Visio Divina, imaginative contemplation, mantra meditation and centring prayer. No previous experience is necessary.
The course will be facilitated by:
Roland Ashby, who is a writer and author (see his blog Living Water at www.thelivingwater.com.au), Spiritual Director, and the Coordinator of the World Community for Christian Meditation in Victoria, has an MA in theology, majoring in contemplative spirituality. He has nearly 25 years’ experience as a meditator and is an experienced facilitator of meditation.
Ottavia Pittella is a spiritual director and meditation teacher. She holds a Certificate in Guiding Meditation in the Christian Tradition from the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, and she brings the experience of her personal practice and in-depth study of the tradition for over twenty years.
To register, please click HERE.
LIVING WELL CENTRE’S CENTRAL AUSTRALIA PILGRIMAGE
Alice Springs – Kings Canyon – Uluru
Saturday 26 July – Sunday 3 August 2025
Journey from Alice Springs to Uluru through the landscapes of central Australia. Participate in daily meditation, Morning and Evening Body Prayer, a Sharing Circle and opportunities for silent reflection, as well as celebrating the Eucharist. We immerse ourselves in the natural landscape with our focus being the spirituality of the landscape, the history of the first nations people and making connections into our Christian spirituality.
Pilgrimage highlights include:
• Alice Springs Desert Wildlife Park
• West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja)
• Standley Chasm, Ormiston Gorge & Simpsons Gap
• Hermmansburg Historic Precinct
• Two nights at Kings Canyon – with walks / meditation
• Three nights based at Uluru with daily park visits
• Sunrise and/or sunset at Uluru
• Mala Walk around the base of Uluru
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre
• Kata Tjuta visit, walk and viewing (Mt Olga)
• Anangu, Maruku and Walkatjara art and crafts
• Valley of the Winds and other walking options
Pilgrimage inclusions:
• Three nights in 4-star accommodation Alice Springs
• Private chartered high quality air-conditioned coach
• Two nights at Kings Canyon 4-star property
• ‘Under a Desert Moon Dinner’ premium experience
• Walking, swimming, meditation opportunities
• Three nights in 4-star accommodation at Uluru
• Sixteen (16) included meals
• Experienced pilgrimage leaders
• Dedicated pilgrimage organiser
• All ensuite accommodation
• Balance of organised activity and free time to reflect
• Airport transfers for ‘group’ arrival / departures
Leadership: Dr Cath Connelly and John Stewart are highly experienced and respected retreat leaders, spiritual directors and spiritual teachers. Cathy is co-director of the Living Well Centre for Christian Spirituality, which John founded.
FARES AND BOOKING
• $4,990 per person on a twin / double share basis.
• Supplement of $1,990 for sole use accommodations.
Further details and bookings: Pilgrimage organiser Owen Johnstone-Donnet, St James Rail. Email sjr@digitor.com.au or call 0418 585 838 for full brochure.
PO Box N400, GROSVENOR PLACE NSW 1220,
T: 02 9326 9660 M: 0418 585 838 E: sjr@digitor.com.au W: www.stjamesrail.org
Scenic Journeys by Rail, trading as St James Rail. ABN: 76 150 053 384
Campfire in the Heart - Alice Springs / Mparntwe
WCCM Affiliated Retreats 2025
The Inner Pilgrimage, 16 - 18 May
led by Judi and Paul Taylor. Enquiries taylor.judi@outlook.com
Radical Simplicity, 30 May - 4 June
led by Judi and Paul Taylor. Enquiries taylor.judi@outlook.com
Mind the Gaps, 20 - 25 July
led by Fr. Bernard Lesley McGrath. Enquiries bec@mvpwellbeing.com
Space to Be, 1 - 6 August
led by Fr. Bernard Lesley McGrath. Enquiries soosully@icloud.com
See www.campfireintheheart.com.au/whats-on/#retreats for more details and to register.
Meditation and mindfulness in the Christian tradition
A 10-week course at Wellspring Spirituality Centre,
10 Y Street, Ashburton, Victoria
Saturdays 11am-12.30pm, followed by optional BYO lunch, Dates: 8 Feb-3 May 2025.
Tap into a deep spring of love, joy, peace and compassion at the centre of our being.
Jesus called it Living Water, with which we will never thirst.
Cultivate a transforming, healing awareness of the Divine presence in daily life, and learn how to meditate:
on Scripture and other sacred texts;
by using a prayer word or mantra;
through mindfulness of the breath and body;
on icons and other art works;
by using visualization.
Focussing on the practice of meditation, the course will be largely experiential. The course will introduce and draw on the ancient wisdom of several traditions of contemplative prayer, including Lectio Divina, Visio Divina, imaginative contemplation, mantra meditation and centring prayer. No previous experience is necessary.
The course will be facilitated by Roland Ashby and Ottavia Pittella.
Roland Ashby, who is a writer and author (see his blog Living Water at www.thelivingwater.com.au) and the Coordinator of the World Community for Christian Meditation in Victoria, has an MA in theology, majoring in contemplative spirituality. He has nearly 25 years experience as a meditator and is an experienced facilitator of meditation.
Ottavia Pittella is a spiritual director and meditation teacher. She holds a Certificate in Guiding Meditation in the Christian Tradition from ACU and she brings the experience of her personal practice and in-depth study of the tradition for over twenty years.
To register, please click here: https://www.wellspringcentre.org.au/index.cfm?module=event&pagemode=indiv&page_id=2497435