Life is a journey text

2026 Guided Retreat

A Week of Prayer, Reflection, and Spiritual Renewal

Some journeys require silence. Each year, Hartzer Park offers a guided silent retreat—a sacred week to step away from daily demands and travel deeper into faith, healing, and transformation. "Life is a Journey" our 2026 retreat, walks your personal story alongside Jesus's journey, revealing freedom and wholeness through God's intimate love.

About The Retreat

  • The Theme

    “Life is a journey'“ is a reflective, prayerful retreat focuses on transforming our past through God's love, emphasising healing, liberation, freedom, and spiritual growth. Through guided prayer, silence, and personal reflection, participants will explore how to reframe their life experiences in light of faith, discovering deeper meaning and renewed hope.

    This is a silent retreat, offering you the gift of uninterrupted quiet to listen, pray, and encounter God in stillness. Daily spiritual direction, communal prayer, and Mass will support your journey throughout the week.

  • Retreat Details

    Date:
    Friday, 21st August to Friday, 28th August, 2026

    The retreat begins with the evening meal at 6:00 PM on Friday, 21st August and concludes with lunch on Friday, 28th August.

    Cost:
    $950 per person (fully catered)

    This includes seven nights' accommodation, all meals, spiritual direction, and retreat materials. A $200 deposit is required to secure your booking.

    What's Included:

    - Six nights' comfortable accommodation

    - All meals (continental breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning tea)

    - Daily spiritual direction

    - Communal prayer and daily Mass

    - Access to Hartzer Park's peaceful grounds, labyrinth, and prayer spaces

    - Retreat materials

  • Your Retreat Facilitator

    Fr. Chris McPhee (MSC)
    Missionary of the Sacred Heart

    Fr. Chris McPhee is a Missionary of the Sacred Heart who has served as Parish Priest, Novice Master, Provincial Superior, and General Councillor. He has guided retreats across Australia and overseas, creating sacred spaces of reflection, prayer, and renewal for countless retreatants.

    Rooted in the MSC spirit of compassion, love, freedom, justice, and community, Fr. Chris's retreats invite participants to journey more deeply into faith and life. His gentle, contemplative approach supports retreatants in encountering God's transformative presence in their own stories.

Lake


What to Expect

This is a silent retreat, meaning participants maintain silence throughout the week to create space for deeper prayer and reflection. Silence is observed during meals, free time, and throughout the property, with the exception of daily spiritual direction sessions and communal prayer.

Each day includes:

  • Themed presentations from Fr. Chris

  • Daily Mass

  • Personal prayer time and reflection

  • One-on-one spiritual direction with Fr. Chris

  • Free time to walk the grounds, pray in the chapel, or rest

Who This Retreat Is For: This retreat is ideal for those seeking deep spiritual renewal, particularly those comfortable with Catholic contemplative practice. Previous retreat experience is helpful but not required. Come with an open heart and a desire to encounter God in the silence.

What to Bring: Comfortable clothing, walking shoes, personal toiletries, a journal and Bible (optional).

Get in touch text

Register Your Interest

To register your interest in attending our 2026 Guided Retreat, please fill out the form below and we will be in touch shortly to help you secure your place.