Reflections on the Post 2016 American Election

For days, weeks and months, Canadians have been bombarded with news about the 2016 American election. There was no escape from  all the  reporting and negative news. 

Finally, last night the big day came when Americans went to the polls and cast their ballots.

My husband and I watched the election at around 8pm last night. However, we were disappointed with the results when Trump won Ohio and Florida, the key battleground states for this election and a must win for Trump. We went to bed at around 11am hoping that when we woke up today, Americans would have elected its first female president and made history.

How disappointed we were waking up to the result!  Many Canadians share our view and are saddened that such a well qualified candidate was bypassed and her opponent was elected instead.

It was reported on CBC ( Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)  radio this morning that on the go bus this morning, it was silent like a graveyard as commuters were so shocked by the result of this election.  

The Canadian immigration website crashed this morning after the election results due to heavy traffic from Americans. We also have family members living in the States; we sincerely hope and pray that Canadians and other temporary residents studying, living and working in the U.S. could continue their lives in a peaceful society without any interruptions, fear and violence.

R.T.

Toronto 

Last Day of Our Retreat on Silence and Solitude

We spent almost three days at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre.

We have gained and learned a  lot from our silence and solitude retreat.

Today was our last day.








All of us had a bittersweet feeling about it. Some were glad to go home to see their families while part of us wanted to continue in this journey of silence of solitude.

A small pond outside the dining hall at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre

The Renewal Centre is a very quiet, tranquil place for personal reflections.

Under the guidance of a spiritual director, some can seek spiritual growth in this beautiful peaceful setting.

I would always remember the delicious meals, the enlightening conversations and the new found friendship forged in the dining hall.

Worship in the Chapel

I thoroughly enjoyed the simple yet moving worship with singing and words of God that touched our souls deeply in the chapel.

Experiencing God and His wonderful creations in nature

Most of all, we could always find God in nature. Through His creations, I see beauty, colour, symmetry and life.

Thank you, Abba father for this wonderful three days of being in your presence!

R.T.
Mississauga

A Retreat Experience on Silence and Solitude

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga, Ontario

Today was the second day of our retreat. I didn’t have a good sleep at all last night. So I got up shortly after 6 am and started doing my devotion.

 It was a nice and quiet time. I do hope that this is God’s way of helping me to get up early each morning to meet with him.

Dining Hall at the Renewal Centre 

Breakfast was at 8 am in the dining hall. it was a nice buffet style with sausages and eggs as well as fruits and hot cereal.

We had our worship in the chapel

After breakfast, there was a short worship service in the main chapel.

We had a lecture on Listening to God after the morning worship. The most interesting exercise I had ever been asked to do was the afternoon exercise on silence and solitude.

Beautiful ground at the centre

For almost five hours, from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm, we were supposed to be completely silent.

We could do whatever we feel like such as reading, taking a walk, drawing, praying or mediating on the ground of the Renewal Centre or around the area.

But we would have to do that chosen activity without speaking a word with one another. The idea was to be silent, spending time alone with God, resting in Him and trying to hear His voice.

We walked down  the wooden staircase with 125 steps leading to the edge of  Credit River.

I have been looking forward to this period of silence and solitude for a long time.

I have no problem finding things to do in silence at all.  Since the retreat centre was such a beautiful place, I decided to explore its surrounding area.

I walked down the wooden staircase with 125 plus stairs leading to the river edge with another classmate.

Credit River, Mississauga, Ontario

Enchanted by the beauty of the forest by the river side, I stayed a little longer looking at the changing color of the leaves.

I found a perfect maple leaf with round dew droplets on it lying on the forest ground! Alone by myself, I reflected on God's love and grace in my life. I kept praising God and trying to hear His voice.

After a little while,  I went back to the centre and napped for about forty five minutes. Then I went outside and explored the neighbourhood and took pictures of the grand mansions. I came across a few people from my course. We just nodded without talking

I went for a walk in the neighborhood of the Renewal Centre.

.It was a beautiful warm autumn afternoon, perfect time to be outside.

Coffee/ tea/ cookies for the retreat participants

I came back to the centre. Having poured myself a cup of tea, got a cookie and a book, I seated myself comfortably in the lobby and enjoyed some good reading. 

I enjoyed my silence and reading time in the lobby of the Renewal Centre

In no time at all, it was 5:30pm when the silence and solitude exercise was over! 

For me, I totally enjoyed my few hours of silence and solitude at the Renewal Centre!

It gave me time to be alone and enjoy nature and its beauty on a great autumn afternoon!

R.T.

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre

Mississauga, Ontario

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga, Ontario

I have been looking forward to a three day retreat out of Toronto for a long time.

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga, Ontario

Many of my classmates and I are excited about attending this Silence and Solitude Retreat as a mandatory part of the course.

We arrived at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre at around 3pm 

I met up with Julianna, Nicole and Karyle at the college and hitched a ride with them to the retreat centre. I really did not know know too well as we rush in and out of our class, never having an opportunity communicating with them.

A beautiful and quiet setting for our retreat

Sitting in the car for almost an hour gave us time to talk and get to know each other. I found out so much from them and discovered the other side of Karyle, a very humorours side of him. The ride was enjoyable and before we knew it, we reached our destination.

Main lobby at the Renewal Centre

The Quees of Apostles Renewal Centre was built in the early 1960's.  It occupies a site of about twelve acres surrounded by mature majestic trees.

The forest  behind the Renewal Centre. 

A beautiful retreat located just steps from city streets. It is spacious, peaceful and quiet, away from all the hustle and bustle of the city.

We all have a single room with private bathroom!

As we were the first one to get there, we got to pick our own room.

Each one of us got a room with our own private bathroom with shower facility.

The small garden with a waterfall outside the dining hall

The centre is clean, spacious, quiet and peaceful.

The renewal centre is perfect for people seeking some time off to be quiet and reflective for a little while.














After putting away our luggage, I went out for a walk before dinner time.


This is a very mature and affluent neighbourhood of the city of Mississauga. I was glad that I could have a quick walking tour of the area before dinner.

Dinner was at a local restaurant not far from the retreat centre. I met two other people from the other session, Peter and Minhee. We sat at the table and same a meal together.

Great food and interesting conversation at dinner!

We decided to order and share our food so that we could have a variety of dishes rather than one big individual one. We had pulled pork nachos, chicken and shrimps, BBQ ribs and different kinds of vegetables. The food was delicious and the conversation was fantastic and stimulating!

Peter was sharing with us about his three year MBA experience which cost him over $80,000,00 in tuition fee about ten years ago. That was interesting as he recounted his business project experience in detail. I haven;t had such great conversation in a long time!

We had our first session at the Chapel 

We got back to the retreat centre in time for our 7pm first session. Our professor was there explaining to us about various housekeeping items and our schedules for the next few days.

The chapel is full of symbolism and interesting architecture  

Before we started the worship program, we were asked to get together two or three and shared with the other what we expected and hoped to get out of this retreat. I shared with the lady sitting next to me, Dorcas.

Though this was the first time we met, we shared and prayed with each other as if we had known each other for a long time.

Professor D. sharing his message at the retreat

Professor S. played the music softly and we began our worship. What a peaceful and joyful experience that was! I felt wonderful and blessed as we started singing, My youthful voice came back and I was able to sing like I used to, strong, clear able to hit the high notes!



After our worship in songs, Professor S. shared a message with us on the power of tongue - our words to others. The evening ended with some hot drinks and cookies and great fellowship with the other participants.

A great first evening! I look forward to our next two days in this great facility!
Praise God for giving me such a wonderful opportunity!

R.T.
Queens of Apostles Renewal Centre
Mississauga, Toronto