Spirit & Life Series 2025-26 - Advent Retreat

St. Augustine's Spirit & Life Series

Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Title: Mary – A Sure Sign of Hope

By: Dr. Josephine Lombardi

Location: St. Augustine's Seminary, 2661 Kingston Rd., Scarborough, MIM 1M3

This event is in person only.

Cost: $45 includes warm pastries, coffee, and tea on arrival, as well as lunch. Mass, Confession and Adoration will also be offered.

Description: As the Jubilee Year of Hope nears its conclusion, this Advent day of retreat will invite us to reflect on the Blessed Virgin Mary as a radiant beacon of hope for all generations. Through her unwavering faith, courageous "yes," and maternal care, Mary continues to guide the faithful toward Christ, especially in times of uncertainty. Join us as we explore how Mary’s life and witness illuminate the path of hope in our own journey during this sacred Jubilee year.

Dr. Lombardi is an award-winning author who has worked as a parish minister, university campus minister, high school chaplaincy leader, teacher educator through O.E.C.T.A., professor of Religious Education, Brock University, retreat facilitator, faith formation consultant, and program coordinator in the Diocese of Hamilton. Presently, she is academic dean and associate professor of systematic and pastoral theology. She has worked in media, including radio and television. She has served as an advisor to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in the areas of doctrine and Catholic-Muslim relations. Her books On Earth as it is in Heaven and Experts in Humanity have been featured on Salt and Light TV. Experts in Humanity was awarded first place in the Family Life category by the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada in 2017.

She is the Series Theologian for the new Religious Education resource for grades 1 through 8, “Family Life category ” for Catholic School Boards in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan.