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The beauty of the landscape, the hospitality and unobtrusive presence of team invites one into a sacred journey. St Non's for me has just something that nourishes in unexpected ways.
A truly tranquil place to relax and unwind.
Allow your cares and worries to be blown away in the fresh air at St Non's Retreat Centre.
"Come and See" and stay to experience the beauty and simplicity of St Non's.
Ideal for a break with a difference - quick and easy access to beauty spots. Travel by rail not impossible.
"Come to St Non's to experience a foretaste of Heaven!"
An amasingly peaceful place. God is truly here in the stillness, the beauty of creation, the Christian heritage, the prayer and spirituality of the retreat team.
Ideal place for handing your life over to God and for inner healing and peace.
A spiritual boost! Good for the soul and great for your faith. Thank you.
Family atmosphere, full of love and caring - 'healing'.
An experience I would like to enjoy again.
A delightful retreat house in which to pray, relax, read, rest and receive nourishment for body and soul.
Peace and quiet in a holy place where you will have the opportunity to be still, to take a step out of the cares of modern life and re-evaluate where you are going in this life.
Pebbles
Ever picked up a pebble from the beach? One of those plumb, rounded ones of which there are so many on our Pembrokeshire beaches that we are surrounded by. Ever wondered where it came from, how long it had been there? Had anyone else ever touched it? How long ago? Had it once helped to build a mighty castle, a fine church, or lowly cottage? Or perhaps it was just a little piece of a bigger rock or cliff that had fallen off into the sea to be drawn in and out by the tide, perhaps for centuries, until it became smooth and round and was finally cast onto the shore? Such thoughts were prompted by a simple little ceremony that took place during a day retreat given at St Non's recently. Each participant was given one of these pebbles and asked to think about it, to feel its weight, to see its colour; to consider its uses; how dense it was, how cold. Attention was then directed to excerpts from scripture in which there were references to stones - the stony ground of the parable of the sower, the stones of the desert which our Lord was tempted to turn into bread and the words of the Old Testament in which Yahweh speaks of turning hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. Doubtless each participant had their own different thoughts and ideas about the symbolism of the stones they were holding - for some it might have typified a burden they were carrying, for others perhaps a hardness of heart, for others still an obstacle to be overcome or a challenge to be faced. Everyone was then invited to place his or her stone beside one of the lighted candles placed in the form of a cross on the altar. It was a simple symbolic gesture in which each person was to relinquish his or her own individual burden to the Lord. "Come unto me all you who labour and are heavily burdened." The ceremony was completed by everyone dipping his or her hand into the bowl of water, which had been blessed at the Easter Vigil the year before. This, too, had its own deep significance for it is the water in which we are baptized. And so, in these two simple gestures, we were demonstrating a desire to take our burdens to the Lord, to try again, to be renewed - a desire, which is fully realized in the sacrament of reconciliation and in the renewal of our baptismal vows at Easter. Who would have thought that so much could be drawn out from a simple pebble on the beach! Written by a Participant (R.S)Sacred Dance Weekend
Reflections on their Weekend from Participants
- Creative Dance
- a call to the soul to express itself in openness and gratitude to
the Lord of the Dance. This place is truly 'holy' place. Martha
- The
weekend was a journey into the Sacred unconsciousness through dance.
Mary
- It was a
treat to step from 'outside in' and deeper into oneself through music
and movement. Ann
- Wonderful
weekend, enhancing ones connectedness with God, self, others and creation.
- A Retreat
Centre offering warmth, hospitality, good food and fun in a beautiful
setting.
- Come
and feed your body and soul at beautiful St Non's. Experience the
friendly warmth of the Retreat Centre set in breath taking surroundings.
Come and feel close to God. Thank you for a lovely weekend.
- A chance
to step inside oneself and listen to the heart while letting one's
body flow with the music. I enjoyed the celebration of Mass in St
Non's Chapel. Monica
- Wonderful enriching experience.
-
I didn't know what to expect so everything was a surprise. The room setting, the focal point, the music, the easy instructions - all led to a reflective,energizing and creative experience. Philomena
Poem by Patricia
Croeso - Welcome
An
awesome place
A
holy place
Place
of peace
Pilgrimage
and welcome
For
those searching for truth
Or
rest for weary hearts
An
idyllic spot for lovers of nature
With
its wild unspoiled natural beauty
And
rough rocky coastline
Where
blooms the flowers profusely
And
freely flies the butterflies
In
metamorphic splendour
Flitting
happily
Chasing
each other
Creating
flashes of colour as they go
Stopping
at intervals to relax
With
folded wings on warm ground
Blackbirds
taxiing along on the green
Brakes
With
head tilted
Listening
for the unsuspecting worm
Cattle
and horses grazing quietly
In
the pastures nearby
Munching
the luscious grass
The
glassy sea shimmering
And
glistening in the summer sun
All
combine to sharpen the senses
For
the treasures of everyday life
Are
here in the offing to be enjoyed
Celebrated
and embraced
Where
is this place?
None
other than St. Non’s
The
playground of God’s Creation.
Patricia
Henry RSM
Creative
Retreat
22nd July 2002
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Reflection : Come Walk With Us Come walk with us ---
enjoy companionship
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Through the medium of physical walking we "walked with one another" to the deep places of our hearts as we shared with one another on the road.
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An oasis of peace in a place of beauty where I found refreshment and strength to continue my journey.
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St Non's is a very special place - it has a beauty and serenity that cannot fail to fill one's heart and soul.
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We were strangers when we met, we parted as friends.
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An experience of living without the worries that I normally live with. I managed to set them aside which I have not done for years.
| St. Non's Retreat Centre St. David's, Pembrokeshire West Wales SA62 6BN | Tel. 01437 720224 Tel. 01437 720161 E-Mail: stnonsretreat@aol.com |