Last Updated: Friday - 09/24/2010
Week of September 22, 2008
Providence Renewal Centre marks 25 years
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Providence Renewal Centre offers lots of opportunities for prayer and reflection
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Special to the WCR
Edmonton
Providence Renewal Centre will begin celebrations of its 25th anniversary Sept. 28 with an open house.
Providence Renewal Centre opened officially March 19, 1983 after extensive remodeling of the east wing of the Providence Centre complex in south Edmonton.
It is dedicated to the ministry of spiritual growth and renewal through retreats, workshops and seminars.
The Sisters of Providence have ministered in Edmonton since 1965. Their foundress, Emilie Gamelin, while still a laywoman in the early 19th century dedicated her life to helping the poor and sick.
She formed an organization with other women, the Ladies of Charity, to care for the sick and the poor, visit political prisoners and provide a home for orphans and homeless elderly women.
Today, the sisters in Western Canada provide for the needs of the marginalized and vulnerable by working together with existing social, educational and health care organizations.
One of their works is Providence Renewal Centre.
Animated by the values of the sisters— a spirit of compassion and strong belief in Gospel values – the centre is the human face of God’s providence and a community of Christians, who, through our gifts of welcoming, respect and compassion, create a sacred space for all.
A peaceful harbour in an ever-changing world, Providence Renewal Centre is committed to Christian hospitality and Christ-centred spirituality and to fostering both personal and communal renewal and holistic growth.
Programming at the centre strives to achieve these objectives. Presence, a two-year formation for the ministry of spiritual direction, is one example.
Formation in various forms of prayer and meditation, such as centering prayer and Christian meditation is another aspect of the centre’s programs.
Other programs help people grow in their spiritual life through spiritual direction, one-day retreats, weekend retreats and week-long retreats such as silent directed retreats.
While being Christ-centred, the centre is also ecumenical and open for various groups and organizations to use its newly-renovated conference and meeting rooms. The centre’s 50 bedrooms have recently been renovated.
For those longing for a special place of quiet and solitude, the Sacred Space area is “place set apart” and dedicated to private retreats and sabbaticals.
Opened in spring 2006, it offers a refuge from the busy world. Those on sabbatical may choose to get involved in the various retreats and prayer sessions offered or simply enjoy the 20 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and walk our new outdoor labyrinth.
The anniversary celebrations will begin Sunday, Sept. 28 a showcase of Providence Renewal Centre from 2 to 4 p.m.
For more information check the centre’s website at www.providencerenewal.ca or call 780-430-9491.
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