2025 - Hearts Ablaze - Praying the Psalms

Hearts Ablaze: Praying the Psalms. 

Moving beyond mediocrity to passion. Write your own psalm of praise. Pen your own lament .

Join Sister Eveleen Retreat House and Ignatian Spiritual Director Colin Renouf, together with his wife Carol for this 2-Night Retreat focusing on the Psalms as our Prayer Book. “To instruct us in candid honesty, God gave us the book of Psalms – a worship manual, full of ranting, raving, doubts, fears, resentments, and deep passion combined with thanksgiving, praise and statements of faith…this is how God wants us to worship him – holding back nothing of what you feel.” Rick Warren. We will look at various types of psalms, let them speak to us, understand their form and structure, then write our own psalms. There will be periods of silence throughout the retreat.

About your hosts: Colin and Carol Renouf have a deep commitment to Contemplative Spirituality and enjoy leading others into a loving, intimate relationship with God. Teaching, retreat leading and accompanying others in their spiritual journey is something they both love to do. Family fills their life with joy and challenge, they have four adult children, with partners and ten grandchildren. Colin with Carol’s support was a Baptist Pastor for 24 years, but has moved to being a Catholic. He has been a Spiritual Director for over 25 years. They live in Christchurch and are both involved in Community Ministry.

Cost (fully catered): 3-day retreat: NZ$330

You will have your own room in the Main House or Annex for the retreat.

Toilet/Bathroom are shared. We have one in the Main House and one in the Annex.

Let us know about your dietary needs with your registration.

Please note:

You always have the option to arrive earlier or stay longer by booking extra nights (self-catered and guided) at Sister Eveleen.

Just let us know upon registration.

Our fees…  are set low to encourage participation in our programme and ministry,

and do not represent the true cost of the upkeep and maintenance of this wonderful historic house.

If you are able, we would welcome your additional contribution.

If you would like a donation tax receipt for anything in excess of the base cost, please let us know.

On the other hand, if you'd like to attend but the cost is prohibitive,

please get in touch as we may be able to assist you.