The Star of the North Retreat Centre is hosting Jesus the Gardener, a mid-week retreat led by Sr. Teresita Kambeitz, a world-renowned teacher and professor at Newman Theological College.
The Sept. 23-25 retreat, available in person (live-in or commuter) or online via Zoom, offers a sacred pause amid our busy lives—an invitation to explore forgiveness both deeply personal and spiritually transformative. Through reflection, ritual, and compassionate storytelling, Sr. Teresita invites participants into a community where grief is transformed, wounds are tended, and a new way of being—rooted in grace, justice, and reconciliation—can bloom.
Registration and information at www.starofthenorth.ca/gardener or call 780-459-5511
The journey begins with an evening public presentation, Take Time to Forgive. It invites us to step into the Easter scene where Mary Magdalene mistakes the risen Lord for a gardener — as she hears him call the disciples “brothers,” she realizes that Jesus tends to a new creation built on forgiveness.
Over the next two days, through a rich tapestry of images, stories, rituals, and reflection, the retreat will explore four “eucharistic moments” — how the Risen Gardener takes, blesses, breaks, and gives, planting seeds of forgiveness, nurturing with love, uprooting domination, all to cultivate a harvest of forgiveness, justice, and peace.
Sr. Teresita Kambeitz, OSU is no stranger to the Edmonton area. Sr. Teresita established and led the Master of Religious Education program at Newman Theological College, both locally and across the Saskatoon extension-site.
Her teaching role extended worldwide — North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, Africa — and her leadership includes nearly three decades in her Ursuline community, including eight years as General Superior. Her credentials are deep and diverse — two bachelor’s degrees, two master’s degrees, a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, and a degree in piano.
Beyond academia, she cherishes family connections, welcomes newcomers, enjoys classical concerts, and even a spirited Scrabble match—all from her home base in Saskatoon.
Retreat Format & Schedule
Tuesday, September 23
- 6:30 pm — Registration & informal community time
- 7:00 pm — Take Time to Forgive public presentation
- 8:15 pm — Session concludes
Wednesday, September 24
- 8:00 am — Breakfast (live-in participants only)
- 9:00 am — Session 2
- 10:00 am — Break
- 11:00 am — Session 3
- 12:00 pm — Lunch
- 1:00 pm — Personal time & reflection
- 4:00 pm — Session 4
- 5:00 pm — Close
- 5:30 pm — Dinner
Thursday, September 25
- 8:00 am — Breakfast (live-in only)
- 9:00 am — Session 5
- 10:00 am — Break
- 11:00 am — Closing Mass
- 12:00 pm — Lunch and conclusion
Registration Options & Fees
- Live-In (2 nights + meals): $390
- Commuter (meals included): $290
- Online via Zoom (all sessions): $190
- Tuesday Evening Only (public presentation): $25