IN PERSON Gift of Hope: A Retreat for Unemployed Persons - Fall 2021

Loss of employment can be trying to our souls and our emotional balance, not just our financial health. Struggling for a sense of hope, in the midst of disappointment, is an arduous task. At this time in history, a significant number of people are without work. During this retreat our intent is a willingness to journey side by side, offering hope and long-term perspective, by allowing the opportunity for deep listening, creating a setting that allows those who attend this retreat to name their experience and recognize that they are not alone. A loss of job and income can bring with it feelings of desperation. Our message is not to give up and become overwhelmed with the pain, loss and chaos, but to look around, pay attention to the daily small gifts that come our way, even when they are not the gift of that job that we eagerly seek. Stay connected!

This retreat is not about job-finding but a heart helping retreat. The focus will be on getting in touch with feelings, discovering gifts, and supporting one another in a time of personal transition. It is designed to help find patience, hope, humour and self-esteem in God’s creative love.

This program is sponsored by The Society of Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ), FCJ Christian Life Centre, and generous contributions from our donors.

Director(s):

Sr. Ger Curran. Sr. Ger Curran, is a member of the Society of Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ). She joined the FCJ Centre resource team in the fall of 2015. Ger has worked as a counsellor for the past 30 years in various settings. Previously, she served as a school administrator and teacher in a high school in Ireland. Before qualifying as an accredited Counsellor, Ger completed a master’s degree in Family Counselling from the University of Iona, New York.

Mirna Farahat. Mirna has passed through the experience of being unemployed and she was always reminded by God's truth that He always provides what is good according to His will.

She will share her experience on how God works in mysterious ways and always gives us more than what we deserve according to Jeremiah 29:11; "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Mirna Farahat was born in Jordan and lived in several countries in the Middle East. She has moved from Egypt in 2012. She is currently an Independent Finance Consultant for an energy company in Calgary. Mirna has worked for one of the leading energy companies and has taken regional and global roles throughout her career. She has over 25 years of experience in the energy sector and is specialized in strategy, planning & portfolio, capital allocation, decision and risk analysis, growth and economics.

Mirna has always been an active member of the church in Canada and abroad. She has been honoured with the Holy Cross of Jerusalem in Egypt. She has compiled two books, out of which one was approved by the Vatican and distributed in several countries in the Middle East.

Mirna says that she's had many good influences over the years, but the greatest was her parents. She says: "I never fully recognized this when I was young, but I finally caught on as I grew older. They've taught me how to accept God's will and to be fair and faithful to my values and ethics, to work hard, to accept people's differences and to be patient with setbacks and failures. Those lessons have taken me a long way in life."