On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, twenty-five priests serving the English-speaking faithful of the Archdiocese of Montreal, gathered for the Annual Advent Day of Recollection. This year, the parish of Corpus Christi, in Senneville, welcomed the group with thoughtful hospitality, offering a warm and cozy space on a cold December day. A heartfelt thank-you goes to Fr. Stephen Otvos, the pastor, along with Johanne Babb and Ashtrid Potts for so effortlessly providing a warm and welcoming space for the gathering.

This year’s gathering was led by Fr. Kevin Kelly, SJ., who guided participants through the theme: “Practicing Wonder and Awe: Tools for Finding Hope in the World”. In harmony with the Jubilee Year of Hope, the day invited the clergy to rediscover God’s loving presence in the ordinary and to recognize how wonder, awe, and resilience deepen priestly ministry and sustain hope, especially in challenging times.

In preparation for the day, participants reflected on the first three chapters of Pope Francis’ encyclical Dilexit Nos. This time of prayerful reading grounded the priests once again in God’s deep and abiding love—a foundation that nurtures both spiritual resilience and a capacity to recognize God’s gifts in all circumstances.

Throughout the Day of Recollection, Scripture passages, reflections from Pope Francis and Henry Nouwen, insights from psychological research, moments of silence, communal prayer, and small group sharing created space for personal and communal renewal. These moments offered practical and grace-filled ways to cultivate resilience — our wellspring of HOPE, the wisdom that comes from trusting the hand of God at work in life experiences and the faith rooted in Divine mercy, providence, and benevolence. This resilience grows through attentive listening to the Word, openness to the Spirit, and the supportive presence of brother priests walking the same path of ministry.

The meaningful fraternal exchanges—morning coffee and pastries, unhurried conversations during breaks, and a shared midday meal—added to the day’s spirit of communion. Such moments reminded participants that resilience is often strengthened through shared life, mutual encouragement, and the simple joy of being together.

The gathering offered a welcome pause in the rhythm of Advent, allowing priests to rest; reconnect head, heart, and hands*; and rediscover the quiet graces of wonder, awe and resilience God continually offers from a place of abiding love.

As we continue through this holy season, we pray for the grace to let go and let God, —the God of love, who has always loved us, who remains with us, and who continually loves into growth.

Voices from the participants

Fr. Paul

“The retreat was very nourishing, peaceful and at the same time challenging. Fr. Kelly's talks were both inspiring and also challenging. A great day spent in prayer and companionship.”

Msgr Francis Coyle, CSS

“The Advent retreat offered to the priests of the English-speaking deanery was, for me, a preparation for the coming of our Saviour. Fr. Kevin Kelly S.J. provided us with the spiritual nourishment we needed to get the true reason for the season established in our hearts.”

Fr. Stephen Otvos
“Hosting Fr. Keven Kelly for our Advent recollection was a grace for me personally and for our presbyterate. His invitation to rediscover wonder, awe, and resilience reminded us that hope is not an idea but a practice—learned in the humble attentiveness of the heart. Meditating on 1 Kings 19:11–13, I was struck again by how God comes to us in the quiet, in the still small voice, and how it is He who equips us for the mission entrusted to us. This renewed in me a deep sense of hope and gratitude, both as host for my brothers in ministry and as a fellow pilgrim on the way.”

*Source : Fr. Anthony Atansi

Acknowledgement

We are deeply grateful to the Diocesan Priesthood Guild for generously sponsoring this year’s Advent Day of Recollection. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Fr. Kevin Kelly, SJ, whose generous gift of time and thoughtful preparation—including meetings to discuss content and flow—culminated in a deeply meaningful and impactful mini-retreat for all participants.

About Fr. Kevin Kelly, SJ

Fr. Kevin Kelly grew up in Ottawa and entered the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in 2011 after working for 12 years in a multinational pharmaceutical company, where he held a number of leadership positions in Canada, the United States, and Europe. He was ordained to the priesthood in May 2020.

He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Ignatian Spirituality Centre of Montreal and Villa Saint Martin. His ministry includes spiritual direction and retreat animation, integrating Ignatian spirituality into the business context, and accompanying those in recovery from addiction. He is also a member of STIR (Spiritual Transformation in Recovery), a retreat program supporting people in recovery who have experienced homelessness.

By Martina McLean
Director, Office for English Pastoral Services and
Assistant to the Episcopal Vicar for the English-speaking Faithful