Workshops & Retreats

Colette created a beautiful retreat gathering, and inspired a circle of trust. Through her gentle guidance, and expert leadership, our group opened up like a garden of flowers that brought deeper understanding about our own spiritual paths. I am so grateful for the spiritual growth I experienced in Colette's retreat. - Veronica in Vancouver, participant in online seven month Divine Heart Program

Today I attended the last gathering of “Living the Divine Heart”, an online monthly program with Colette Lafia, Spiritual Director, Retreat Leader and author of The Divine Heart, Seven Ways to Live God's Love. Each of our monthly gatherings was based on the “Seven invitations for living a life overflowing with Divine Love”: Receptivity, Delight, Expensiveness, Acceptance, Vulnerability, Mystery and Gratitude.

As Colette had promised we engaged in “spiritual journal writing, guided meditations, praying with images, and contemplative sharing.” It was a beautiful and enriching experience of spiritual and personal growth in a supportive and caring environment. - Marisa, San Antonio Texas, Divine Heart Program

"Colette created a safe and welcoming space to connect with myself and the Devine. It was wonderful to meet with other people on the spiritual journey and I left each meeting feeling nourished and encouraged. I appreciated Colette's wealth of knowledge and experience and the practices she sent out throughout the month gave me lots to contemplate and new ways to engage spiritually." - Vickie, London
Days of Prayer, in-person

I appreciated the opportunity to be prayerfully guided around a topic that is spiritual and then being able to create are around it. - Sue, participant in Fruits of the Spirit, Day of Prayer, in-person

Colette is a very gentle, very positive leader, who creates a safe space. It was a blessing to share with others.

I am amazed that a day retreat, just six hours, can be so filling. Colette is great at leading, with her encouraging words and meditations. I felt the Spirit moved today. I have so much joy and peace in my heart. - Participant, Advent Day of Prayer

The combination of journaling, meditation and art being woven together was very powerful. Thank you! - Participant, Day of Prayer

I came to find a place of comfort and I received everything I needed. It was a gentle, loving and caring environment, with a wonderful facilitator and circle of women.

I loved the variety of activities--talking, listening, silence. The facilitator’s preparedness is awesome! Thank you!

What I read from spiritual books, I heard from the voice of Colette, which is alive and more real than reading.

Thank you, Colette, for sharing your wisdom and creating this sacred space for us. There was a nice balance of presentation, sharing, and writing. - A.S., Sacred Unfolding Writing Retreat

I am pleasantly surprised that these past few days have exceeded all the expectations I had hope for. Colette Lafia and Debie Thomas were wonderful and gifted in their teaching and sharing. Thank you. - G.C. Participant Sacred Unfolding Writing Retreat

I appreciated the intentional structure of the retreat and how it incorporated time for solo writing, time to share, time to do lectio divina, audio divina, and visio divina. I loved the concrete writing prompts and also the contrast between “how to,” and “lists” along with spaces for creativity and out of the box. I also felt you created a very comfortable community space that led to people feeling at ease with each other. - M.P., participant in Sacred Unfolding Writing Retreat

I felt very safe and held. I felt able to express myself in my vulnerability. I appreciate your openness and sharing from your own experience and sharing your vulnerabilities. - J.S. Participant in-person retreat

Both Colette and Debie were excellent. Thank you, for caring so deeply about the experience of the participants and for creating a beautiful setting. I liked the concept that his was not a writing workshop, but a spiritual retreat, and that the Divine is in us and around us. Very welcoming of all faith traditions. Thank you for combining the theory and practice, and for your depth and kindness. - S.T., in person retreat.

Words cannot express my gratitude for your presence, investment and effort put towards the retreat this past weekend. Your skill in helping me personally took my expectations to a level never imagined. The retreat was a life changer! I came home with graces only God could have directed, and I’m convinced only you could have unearthed with Holy Spirit leading. - D.B., in person Divine Heart Retreat

I loved this workshop. Colette does such a wonderful job facilitating and has such a sweet spirit. Love the art and the prayer. I never miss Colette’s retreat. - B.H. in person Day of Prayer, Seeking Surrender

Loved the retreat. Your style in teaching and sharing are right n the flow of the moment. I enjoyed the day, learned a lot, and I felt connected to everybody. - A.K, Transitions Retreat

Comforting and soothing. Colette was so healing to be with. She was very sensitive to the audience and paced the day perfectly.
M. L., participant in Day of Prayer on Comfort

I enjoyed Colette’s workshop using art and movement to help tune into the spiritual aspect of life. I gained insight into ways to unblock patterns that have been keeping me stuck. I hope Colette offers more workshops!
E.V.

I really enjoyed Colette’s retreat. I liked the way brought in elements from James Finley, Richard Rohr, and Thich Nhat Hanh. The exercise and sharing opened up and brought up meaningful insights. I appreciated the meditations, embodiment exercise and the visual art practice. I’d love to attend another retreat with her. - C. G. participant in retreat, Prayer and Creativity

Colette Lafia is gifted in gathering us to play, pray, and to ponder new possibilities. I appreciate her creativity, sensitivity to the Spirit, intuition, honesty and depth. - L.B., Prayer and Creativity

This retreat was such a welcome break--a pause to reflect on both what I am grateful for and what opportunities for gratitude are growing in the darker areas of difficulty. Nice pace, beautiful presentations, unexpected surprises. - J.N. in person Gratitude retreat.

I am feeling refresh by the time of silence and reflection, looking into moments of ingratitude brought awareness and a sense of relief that it’s okay to feel that way. Loved the prayer and meditation. Thank you. - P.D. in-person Gratitude retreat