Renewal for ministry
The South African Catholic Bishops Conference is delighted to offer an opportunity for renewal in ministry. If you have fallen into a rut, if your energy is low, if you feel tired all the time, or if you are struggling in your prayer life, perhaps you need to take time to rest and ponder again on God’s call in your life. Nourishing one’s soul and discovering a new perspective call for both a change of pace and a change of location, both of which St. Luke’s retreat center can offer.
The programme
The sabbatical is designed to provide a restful environment where participants can reflect prayerfully on their vocation and ministry in the church today. It is for priests and religious women and men who have been ordained or solemnly professed for ten years or more and who are looking for a time of renewal. (An exception to the ten-year rule can be made on application.)
In order to offer a holistic experience, the sabbatical combines opportunities for personal reflection, study, spiritual direction, and times of recreation. The teaching and study components of the sabbatical are usually offered in the mornings from Monday to Friday. There will be opportunities for daily meditation and personal prayer, communal celebrations of morning prayer, as well as daily celebrations of the Eucharist.
A few of the afternoons and evenings are unscheduled, providing ample time for reading, rest, and recreation. Spiritual direction will be offered on a regular basis.
This Sabbatical programme is not designed as a time of therapy in the sense that it does not cater for the needs of individuals who are confronting major medical and psychological challenges, but it will provide a holistic approach to life with the assistance of lecturers, spiritual directors, and consultants who will make presentations on the various aspects of the Christian life.
Sabbatical 2024 costs
The sabbatical will take place at St Luke’s Retreat Centre, 10 Park Lane, Port Elizabeth, from the afternoon of Monday the 8th April to the morning of Thursday the 27th June 2024.
The total cost of the Sabbatical is R40 000.00 per person and includes accommodation, meals, spiritual direction, and all scheduled retreats and spirituality programmes. It also includes a number of excursions during the three-month period.
A deposit of R4 000 is payable on application, with the balance of R36 000 being paid before the sabbatical begins. It is advisable for participants to make prior arrangements for any medical expenses that might arise.
The presenting team will be made up of a diverse group of both local and international presenters. In addition, spiritual directors and other resource persons will be available throughout the Sabbatical.
The number of people we can accommodate on the sabbatical is limited. To secure a place, please submit your application as soon as possible. You can download a registration form on the bottom of this page or you can request a registration form by calling the Sabbatical Director on 082 825 6301 or by emailing sacbcsabbatical@yahoo.com
Please return your form with a copy of your proof of payment. For more information, contact Fr. Jerry Browne using the details given above.
Please note that participants from outside South Africa may need to apply for a 3-month visa to enter the country.