Spiritual Development Program

Faith in God does not consist in asserting God’s existence, but rather in acting on [God’s] behalf
(Henri Nouwen)

At the very core of all that goes on at Saint Columba House, is the theological reflection and on-going interpretation of what it means to fulfill the Social Gospel in our world of today. In a community in which many people’s experience of church has not been a positive one, in which poverty and economic exclusion has left its scars and in which people have often been left to fight their own battles, the question of the presence of God is a puzzling and frustrating one.

Yet, the community of Point St. Charles has such a rich legacy of social innovation, community building and mutual support. Since its inception, Saint Columba House has always played an important role in the development of Point St. Charles, moving from a charitable model in its earlier days to a ministry of empowerment in more recent decades. Embracing a theology of liberation and seeking to challenge and overcome oppression, Saint Columba House has helped the community of Point St. Charles to find meaning in its struggles and hope for its future. We continue to pursue that path today.

Spiritual Development takes many forms and breathes life into all our activities at Saint Columba House. Although it is not part of the content of all our programs, spirituality is present in the on-going reflection and sources of inspiration that drives them. A weekly Spiritual Development program takes place each Monday afternoon at 1:15 to which all are welcome to participate in guided imagery and meditation, reflection on Scripture, or workshops and discussion. We will also soon be offering a Healing Pathway Ministry to the community we serve.

“To seek hope, meaning in our lives and the presence of God through sharing and engagement” is a key element of our Mission and Vision statement. In partnership with the wider church and community, we seek to be faithful to that call and fulfill our ministry at Saint Columba House in a spirit of love, inclusion, and learning and, ultimately, come to a deeper understanding of that call.