Joy of sacred space

COFFEE WITH WARREN, with Warren Harbeck
Cochrane Eagle, August 1, 2024

St. Francis offers sacred space, in our garden and at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre.
Photos by Warren & Mary Anna Harbeck

“Spending time on my knees, whether digging, planting, or weeding, keeps me close to God's earth as His partner in creation,” my wife Mary Anna says. “I put in my effort, and He takes over, causing the plants to germinate, grow and bloom.

“Watching over our garden is a statue of St. Francis of Assisi, legendary for his love of God's creation. I always surround him with pansies or violas who turn their faces up to him.”

Yes, thanks to Mary Anna’s time on her knees in the presence of St. Francis, our garden has become sacred space for us, a place for prayer, meditation and personal growth, very much in the spirit of the Prayer of St. Francis:

Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred,
let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.

Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there’s despair in life,
let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, only light,
And where’s there’s sadness, ever joy.

How delightful it is to us, then, that Cochrane’s Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre has chosen “Celebrate Sacred Space” as the theme for its upcoming 75th Anniversary, Aug. 10–11.

“This simple phrase succinctly describes Mount St. Francis as a space and place of peace, healing, and prayer,” the Retreat has explained. “It speaks to the invitation of The Mount and retreats offered as a way of drawing closer to God, to find joy and clarity while growing spiritually and emotionally. The gifts of finding community and support are also sacred connections.”

For information on attending, visit their website, https://mountstfrancis.ca/75th-anniversary/. Happy Anniversary, Mount St. Francis!

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