2014 WCCM Easter Retreat Led by Fr Laurence Freeman OSB

Bere Island, Country Cork, Ireland – Sun 13th April 2014 to Sun 20th April 2014

WCCM Easter Retreat

The Bere Island Easter Retreat brings people together from many backgrounds, nationalities and spiritual traditions, people who have been meditating for a long time and those who may have had an occasional experience but would like an opportunity to deepen their practice.

The week led by Laurence Freeman OSB, is one of community, friendship, spiritual exploration and relaxation within a beautiful and tranquil Irish coastal setting.

Retreat Itinerary

The Bere Island Retreat explores the Easter mysteries as they unfold in Holy Week.

The programme includes twice daily talks and meditation led by Laurence Freeman at the Island’s Heritage Centre. We also take part in Easter liturgies throughout the week with the residents of the island. A session of yoga or tai chi may be held in the mornings and time is set aside every afternoon for walking, sharing, reading or solitude.

The retreat begins with Mass at 10am in the local church on Palm Sunday morning. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper is held on Thursday followed by an evening service on Good Friday.

At dawn on Easter morning, everyone is welcome to assemble by the Standing Stone at the centre of the island for sunrise. This is followed by meditation and breakfast together at the Heritage Centre followed by Mass at 10am in the church.

With its deep history and natural beauty, Bere Island provides the perfect location and community environment from which to experience the spiritual significance of Easter.

Accommodation The Bere Island Heritage Centre can provide all the essential information about getting to and from the island, and accommodation contacts. There are several types of accommodation available, some within close proximity to the Heritage Centre, others a little further away. Please visit the Bere Island website www.bereisland.net for more information about the B&B, hotel and self catering cottages on Bere Island.

Cash can be drawn from the Bere Island Post Office with an AIB card only, alternatively, all other cards are accepted at the bank in Castletownbere for withdrawals.The Bere Island Post Office also includes a small well stocked shop or supplies can be bought in Castletownbere at the local Supermarket.

You may wish to contact Theresa at hobbstl@gmail.com for more information.

Travel Arrangements Flights from London to Cork We suggest booking the following flights via Aer Lingus:

*Saturday 12th April departing LHR at 09.30/ arriving into Cork at 10.50

*Sunday 20th April departing Cork at 20:15/ arriving LHR at 21:35

Travel from Cork to Bere Island The drive is approximately 3 hours from Cork to Castletownbere (including a break for lunch) plus a short ferry to Bere Island.

Bus timetables are available at: http://www.buseireann.ie/pdf/1308580333-236.pdf

Information on ferry times is available at: www.bereislandferries.com & www.murphysferry.com

If you wish to coordinate car-hire/accommodation with others joining the retreat, or have any other questions please contact: mike@wccm.org

Packing suggestions will be emailed closer to the time, including clothes to keep warm in the Irish Spring weather, walking boots and loose wear for yoga.

Associated Costs

The total cost for the retreat will be approximately €450 per person.

The following provides an idea of the costs (not including flights):

€30 registration €120 for the retreat programme €80 for shared car hire (3 people) - including petrol €100 for 8 nights per person self-catering accommodation - including towels and linen €100 for food (self catering) €20 for a return ferry crossing

Contact and Booking

If you’d like to join the retreat, please follow this link to register:

http://bit.ly/BI_2014_reservation

or contact Theresa Hobbs at: hobbstl@gmail.com

Spaces for the retreat are limited, so please make contact as early as possible if you are interested in joining.

A detailed itinerary will be circulated in March 2014.

For more information about the World Community of Christian Meditation, please visit our website - www.wccmmeditatio.org.

“The all-important aim in Christian meditation is to allow God’s mysterious and silent presence within us to become more and more not only a reality, but the reality which gives meaning, shape and purpose to everything we do, to everything we are.”

Father John Main OSB