Walter Cordery, Excerpted from the July 26, 2012 edition of Nanaimo Daily News

   Since 1987, the property at 2371 Arbot St. in Nanaimo has been an oasis of peace, allowing visitors time for some quiet thoughtful reflection.
   People can contemplate almost anything as they walk the path constructed of 7,000 stones at Nanaimo’s Bethlehem Retreat Centre. Those wanting to escape the day-to-day rat race come from all over the world to walk the labyrinth, said Lucia Gamroth, a full-time volunteer at the retreat.
   The labyrinth is one attraction visitors can experience during the retreat’s 25th anniversary open house which was held on Sunday, July 29th.
   “From the very beginning, the Bethlehem Centre has been open to people, regardless of spiritual affiliation, who are looking for some peace and quiet,” said Benedictine sister Mary Ann Gisler, retreat director.

   Since 1987, the property at 2371 Arbot St. in Nanaimo has been an oasis of peace, allowing visitors time for some quiet thoughtful reflection.
   People can contemplate almost anything as they walk the path constructed of 7,000 stones at Nanaimo’s Bethlehem Retreat Centre. Those wanting to escape the day-to-day rat race come from all over the world to walk the labyrinth, said Lucia Gamroth, a full-time volunteer at the retreat.
   The labyrinth is one attraction visitors can experience during the retreat’s 25th anniversary open house which was held on Sunday, July 29th.
   “From the very beginning, the Bethlehem Centre has been open to people, regardless of spiritual affiliation, who are looking for some peace and quiet,” said Benedictine sister Mary Ann Gisler, retreat director.
   “Tens of thousands of people have used this retreat in the 25 years we’ve been here,” Gisler said.
   The retreat was founded in 1987 under the leadership of Sister Jill Aigner.
   The Benedictine order purchased the property from the Catholic Diocese of Victoria in 2002. It has expanded from a single building, used for meetings and spiritual observances, to a centre with a chapel, two accommodation buildings, a garden area and several conference rooms.
   “People come here for different reasons, but I think most of them come because they are seeking some sort of spiritual guidance,” Gisler said.
   Gisler said people come for various reasons. Some are searching for peace or meaning in their lives and others just want a quiet place to connect with nature.
   It was Victoria Bishop Remi De Roo who initiated the purchase of the seven-acre retreat for the Catholic Diocese, said Gisler.
   “Right from the beginning, this place has been open to people of all faiths who are looking for some quiet and peace and an opportunity to explore their spiritual beliefs, whatever they may be,” said Gisler.
   “There is no expectation that the people who come to the retreat have the same beliefs that we do.”
   The centre continues to host groups from many religious affiliations including: Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Evangelical, United Church, Buddhist, Hindu, Quaker as well as different First Nations beliefs. But it is much more than just a religious retreat. For more than 20 years the centre hosted groups trying to come to grips with HIV/AIDS under the direction of Vancouver Councillors Tim Stevenson and recently elected Moderator of the United Church of Canada, Gary Paterson (see 'Other News' for interview). It has also been home to Vancouver Island’s Buddhist community, which continues to choose the centre for its retreats, said Gamroth.
   The retreat is opening its doors for more day use by groups and also more people who want to experience an “overnight” retreat, said Gamroth.
   Volunteers like Gamroth are essential in keeping the retreat open. There are approximately 80 volunteers who assist with program planning, marketing, financial advice, gardening the extensive grounds, library services and other activities. Their efforts allow the four full-time staff members to maintain their primary objective, to make sure the retreat is open to anybody who needs it.
   For example, Gamroth said the centre was “the perfect place” for a group of writers to “unlock the writer’s block,” write during the day and share their writings in the comfort of the evening.”
 Nanaimo’s Bethlehem Retreat Centre is the last retreat centre on Vancouver Island, now that the Queenswood Centre in Victoria closed a couple of years ago.
   People from across Canada, the world and the Island come to the retreat to rest, contemplate and meditate.
   “Many people have questions and are looking for answers,” said Gisler.
   “We don’t try to supply them with our answers but we do give them an opportunity to come to the realization that they need some sort of spiritual guidance in their lives.”
 From there people can choose whichever spiritual path they want, she said.
   The Open House allowed people to tour the facility and walk through the internationally renowned labyrinth.
   The Bethlehem Retreat Centre remains focused on helping people discover spirituality, said Gisler.
   “It’s all about the people – it’s people who created this place and to this day (the) Bethlehem Retreat Centre continues to be a place of hospitality, peace and a spiritual home to many.”