The Diocese of Ontario Annual Clergy Retreat will be held from Sunday, April 28 to Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
The retreat will be held at the Glen House Resort in Gananoque.
Bishop William Cliff is very pleased to welcome retreat leader Fr. Michael Bechard from Ark Aid mission in London Ontario. Michael is well known to many from his work hosting CTV coverage of World Youth Day as well as the Funeral of John Paul II and the election of Benedict XVI and as a commentator generally on matters that affect the Catholic Church. He served in parishes for years, but was a colleague of the bishop's at King's University College at Western as Pastor to Christ the King University Parish for 20 years.
Most recently Michael has been serving the poor, the addicted and the unhoused in London through his work as Chaplain at Ark Aid mission. His passion for outreach to the "least of these" is a mark of both is own journey and his commitment to the gospel. Michael is also focussed on reconciliation with first nations. He is open about his own journey facing addiction and his own work using the 12 steps to maintain his own peace. He is compassionate, committed, funny and loves dogs and all animals - but really loves dogs; and cats for that matter.
The focus of the retreat will be "loving the people we serve." At a time when all pastoral ministry is troubled by the stresses of life, this is an important topic for us. The absolute imperative of how we greet those to come to us in need and how we serve them is the core identity of the church.
For more information on the 2024 Clergy Retreat:
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