As part of John Yun’s trail building project at Copper Ridge Conference Centre, on a sunny, late August morning, Paul Adam, friend and fellow veteran of rock, snow and bush and I headed downhill from the parking lot midway between Britannia Beach and Browning Lake to check the possibilities on the narrow strip of Copper Ridge land sandwiched between Highway 99 and Howe Sound.  We knew before we set off that the terrain would be challenging, so it was no surprise to us that it was indeed pretty bushy and steep, even vertical. There are several unmarked and very sketchy trails. One of those trails led us to a precipice 35 metres above the beach. (It turns out that Squamish rock climbers on the hunt for a new cliff seized upon this one, naming it “Seal Cove.”)

We followed another faint trail, an even steeper and rockier one, that did take us to the beach. There are a number of attractive viewpoints above or on the beach. The problem: these desirable spots are isolated from each other by cliffs and tangled bush.

During our three-hour foray we discovered a section of the original 1950’s highway.  We noted that someone had taken a liking to this portion of the long-abandoned and well-hidden road bed, as indicated by a neatly rolled up blue tarp and cords strung between the trees.

What to make of it all?  Yes, there are some truly lovely spots by the beach: but how do you access them?  They are separated from each other by steep and bushy terrain.  Sadly, Copper Ridge’s beachfront real estate remains for the foreseeable future out of reach and tantalizing.

Arnold Shives
October 7, 2020

I have just shared an opportunity of a lifetime with 12 other men. We were blessed to take part in the first ever workshop at the incredible Copper Ridge Conference Center (CRCC). The views are world class, the facility is superb and the food provided by the administration was wonderful. Nature was on display in so many ways with beautiful flowers and even a bear sighting. While retreats at CRCC are also amazing, there are many aspects of a workshop that are different.     

Retreats are silent and focussed on growing in our personal relationship with Jesus. Workshops are twice as long and focus more on the family life of Opus Dei as well as the study of Church doctrine. Every year we also take a course on an aspect of our faith such as liturgy or Mariology. We receive talks on family and professional life that help us to build the virtues required to sanctify those two key areas in which we develop our faith.

My career is in the sports field and I understand well the significant advantage of having a coach to work with. A workshop also gives one lots of time to take advantage of the “spiritual coaching” offered by the priest and the director in order to learn more about oneself and to set goals to keep developing spiritually. 

Because workshops are longer than a retreat, the two hour recreation period in the afternoon gives us informal time to build wonderful friendships with each other as we take advantage of the natural surroundings by going for hikes, swimming at nearby Browning Lake in Murrin Park, celebrating birthdays, etc. 

Anyone who experiences a workshop at Copper Ridge will, by the end, fall in love with the experience!

Since Copper Ridge Conference Centre opened March 2 and re-opened July 26, many of us have been astonished to find in the hustle and bustle of everyday life an environment such as our Conference Centre offers for prayer, reflection and study. For those of us who were used to attending retreats, conferences and study weeks at hotels and local colleges, the difference is incomparable.

A recent retreat attendee wrote:

For me, 2020 started out with an experience that in every way nurtured my soul. The entire three-day period was an extraordinary delight. None of my past retreats have come close to the ‘home away from home’ feeling found at Copper Ridge.

The oratory is without doubt the most magnificent oratory I have seen in my lifetime. From the tabernacle, Our Lord embraced my heart; I felt captivated and did not want to leave Him.

Other areas promoting peaceful meditation are varied; some are more spacious than others, some are more private, but all are bright and cheerful with breathtaking views of God’s creation. An ambiance of comfort, simplicity and refinement pervades throughout.

The dining room features exquisite table settings, complete with linen tablecloths and napkins. The astounding view is enhanced by the fabulous cuisine and the artful presentations of every meal.

Throughout our private rooms, gathering areas, lounges and the library, the remarkable attention to detail is evident – nothing is lacking.

But the Oratory is still my best memory. The life-size carvings of our crucified Lord, our Holy Mother and the Apostle John capture one’s sight to the exclusion of almost everything else, were it not for the four panels of stained glass depictions of the Annunciation, the Nativity, Jesus with St Joseph in his workshop, and the Wedding Feast at Cana. There is certainly no dearth of contemplation aids. Central to all, of course, is the tabernacle at the foot of the Cross.

My retreat was a wonderful and exciting journey and I look forward to future events at Copper Ridge with immense anticipation and gratitude for our blessings.

St Josemaria wrote in The Way, no. 527

“That woman in the house of Simon the leper in Bethany, who anoints the Master’s head with precious ointment, reminds us of our duty to be generous in the worship of God.

All beauty, richness and majesty seem little to me.

And against those who attack the richness of sacred vessels, of vestments and altars, stands the praise given by Jesus: ‘opus enim bonum operata est in me — she has acted well towards me’.”

We look forward to welcoming all of you to Copper Ridge Conference Centre where you too, can experience all that has been prepared for us through this amazing venue.

Planting at Copper Ridge was definitely not the typical landscape project. Given the beautiful architecture and stunning setting, the centre could have been considered complete without adding a single plant. Nevertheless, in the spirit of the Work, which calls for loving attention to be paid to every detail, we went about selecting plants.

Much like buying shoes, the more you have to choose from, the more difficult the selection process can be. The first step in narrowing down the list was to eliminate any plants which would be difficult to maintain. Potential damage by deer and bears was also considered. Inspection of plants which were thriving in neighborhood gardens gave an indication of what would be most likely to survive in the area. We targeted a balance between native and ornamental plants to provide some colour and interest without detracting from the natural environment, and some flowers were included to provide cutting material for the altar. It was an honour to provide the plants for this centre as they will be appreciated by so many.

The most special plant in the garden is a small, humble, native dogwood tree planted at the entrance to the parking lot. The tree was planted by the Prelate, Monsignor Fernando Ocariz, during his visit to Vancouver in 2019. It is easily identifiable as it is surrounded by a small fence to help protect it. The dogwood flower is the provincial flower of BC and will highlight the landscape in spring with its large, pure white flowers. When the tree gains strength the fence will be removed and perhaps a generous soul will donate funds for a beautiful engraved stone plaque (hint). Like the Work in Vancouver, hopefully the tree will grow into a strong and beautiful specimen which attracts people from all over.

Part of the project was to create a public trail through the property for residents from the town to access Murrin Park. Some small existing pathways were rerouted to minimize steep slopes and detour the public away from the statue of our Lady to preserve a prayerful spot. The trail starts where the entry road crosses the creek and enters into the forest where there are old growth trees, babbling brooks, and scenic views. It will make an enjoyable walk and provide good exercise for retreat visitors or workshop participants.

The Administration staff has been working diligently since March to put all the final touches on the conference centre and ensure it will be even more inviting when we resume activities. The construction team is finalizing deficiencies with the contractors and a new schedule of events is being prepared. Registrations are opening for an August retreat for men and soon registrations will be open for all events in the fall.

For anyone who has not experienced the hospitality of a conference centre administered by the ladies of Opus Dei, you have something very special to look forward to. You will notice the details of care and attention in the décor, the rooms, the meals that will make you feel at home and part of a loving family. And at the heart of the attention we receive are the prayers being offered for each one of us as we attend our retreat or workshop. 

In anticipation of the upcoming events, the Administration staff is happy to share with you a recipe that is a family tradition and usually served on the Friday before Palm Sunday. The tradition is further explained here:  https://www.opusdei.org/en/article/recipe-for-crespillos/

Recipe for Crespillos

Ingredients (serves 6 – 8 people):

• ½ kilo fresh spinach leaves
• 200 grams self-rising flour
• 1 dessert-spoon sugar (10 g)
• 2 eggs (100g)
• 500 millilitres milk 
• Sugar for sprinkling

Method

• Wash the spinach very well and leave just 2 – 3 cm on each stalk.
• Mix the flour and sugar in a bowl. Beat the eggs and milk together and then add them to the flour, whisking them hard to a smooth batter.
• Dry the spinach-leaves well, and coat them on both sides with the batter.
• Heat a pan of oil to about 170o C and fry the leaves, several at a time, until a light golden brown.
• Drain them on some kitchen-paper and sprinkle with sugar.
• Cover with a white napkin and serve immediately.

As a man with four children under the age of ten dominating his personal life, and one who runs a boarding house for 50 teenage boys as part of his professional life as a teacher, there are not many moments in my average day that I can describe as “quiet”. So, for me, getting to go on a silent retreat is always a great blessing. And, being able to participate in the first men’s retreat at Copper Ridge was, in a word, heavenly. 

From the moment I drove through the gates of the newly opened centre, a wonderful serenity reigned within me. One view of Howe Sound was consistently trumped by the next — that is until I contemplated the utterly breathtaking view from the dining room. That was when I thought I had hit the apex. And yet, even more stunning than the different views of the sound was the sheer graceful beauty of the oratory. Entering this sacred place brought a flood of joy into my heart. The exquisiteness of the stained glass windows backing the very life-like statue of Our Lord on the cross made the oratory the perfect setting to spend time in prayer and contemplation.  

Most important though was how our weekend was filled with time and space: the time to consider how to become closer to God, and the perfect space to foster and nurture this reflection. The benefits of the wonderful food, the gorgeous surroundings both inside and out, and the perfectly appointed bedrooms were only surpassed by being able to be close to the Blessed Sacrament for such a sustained and fruitful period. 

As the requirement to observe a reflective silence during the retreat was lifted for our last lunch together, the unquestionable joy I felt rose in unison with all my fellow retreatants. How blessed are we to have the Lord in our lives and how blessed are we to have Copper Ridge!

August 7, 1958 was a pivotal date in the history of Britannia Beach. It was on that summer day that the highway connecting Horseshoe Bay to Squamish was completed. A company town’s half century of isolation had effectively ended. Hardly more than an hour’s drive, the miners and their families now had easy access to the big city.

In 1960, two years after the completion of the road, and thanks to the BC Mountaineering Club, a friend and I were introduced to the mountains above Britannia (as it is abbreviated). The Sky Pilot Range: overflowing with alpine splendor, with heather meadows and tarns, challenging spires and even two pocket glaciers. We were smitten! That same road that was luring the town’s folk to the city lights had made the Squamish area accessible to Vancouver weekend adventurers.

Throughout the year, including winter, and throughout our high school years my friends and I seized every opportunity to explore the Sky Pilot area. We hiked all the ridges and climbed every peak and pinnacle.

How did we high school students actually get to Britannia?  Sometimes my friend would borrow his mother’s VW Beatle.  Sometimes no car was available and we’d hitchhike. Once at Britannia, we would either drive or hike up the five km to Mount Sheer, also called the Townsite, which was where the miners and their families lived. (The mill workers and management lived at the “Beach,” the area beside the highway). In the early 1960’s Mount Sheer was still a lively little town with a hospital, a school, even a heated outdoor swimming pool. There were neat rows of company houses, children playing, laundry on the clothes lines: in effect, families going about their ordinary daily lives. It was something of a surprise for me to find a small town tucked away in the mountains and so close to Vancouver.

Four or five km beyond the Townsite, following a logging road and then a trail, was a simple but sturdy log shelter that had been built by the miners and which they had dubbed “Sky Pilot.” 

Sky Pilot cabin became our base camp. Likely because of the aforementioned recently established road link to Vancouver, the miners now no longer, or at least very seldom, visited their alpine refuge.  We virtually never encountered anyone there. We had the cabin to ourselves, as also we had to ourselves the crags and the meadows with their late summer bounty of blueberries.  

Those dozens of trips in the early sixties into the wilderness area at the head of Britannia Creek left an indelible impression. Youthful adventure; the experience of nature in all its formidable and delicate beauty and its dangers; the forging of friendships: it was all there. 

The Sea to Sky Gondola now offers relatively quick access to the peaks, and the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge provides tantalizing mountain and fjord views.

Over the decades I have returned to this area many times. In early September 2001, I climbed Sky Pilot Mountain with my two youngest children. A few days later came the fateful 9/11 attack.

My painting of Sky Pilot Mountain that now hangs at Copper Ridge Conference Centre was inspired by two events. The first event: those pilots, inspired by a false zeal, crashing into the twin towers; the second event: reaching the summit of Sky Pilot Mountain with my two young children, an event both happy and exhilarating.

Often mountaineers will build a cairn on the summit to indicate a first ascent. There are also, of course, other kinds of cairns, for example, memorial cairns.

Sky Pilot has two summits. In my painting I have exaggerated the steeper one, which in reality is the lower of the two summits, for visual effect. In the background you can see Garibaldi Mountain.

A noticeable feature of the painting is the calligraphic circle shapes that act as a kind of veil. This indicates the first snowfall of the season. Prominently in the foreground is a cairn which is engulfed by the towering shape of the pinnacle. Both hint at a spiritual reality.

Most of the canvas was painted in acrylics. The dark central shape was painted in encaustic, which is pigment mixed with beeswax.

I had been looking forward to experiencing a retreat at the Copper Ridge Conference Centre ever since the project began and, finally, the day arrived on March 6th for the second retreat to be held there.

My experience surpassed my expectations in every way!  The natural beauty surrounding the Centre, the spectacular views of Howe Sound, provide a perfect setting for lifting one’s heart to God.  The bedrooms with en suite bathrooms are simple but adequate, with very comfortable beds ensuring a good night’s rest.  There is plenty of space in the tastefully furnished common areas for quiet reading and reflection and the dining room offers a spectacular view of the mountains and sea.  The food provided was delicious and beautifully presented.

As impressive as all of the above is, the crowning glory of the Centre is the Oratory, with magnificent stained glass windows depicting events in the life of the Holy Family and of nature.  The Oratory is a beautiful sacred space for the celebration of Holy Mass, for meditations given by the priest, as well as for communal and private prayer.

I came away from the retreat renewed and refreshed in body and spirit, grateful for the insights received as a result of the meditations and talks, and looking forward to my next visit!

For more photos: https://copperridgeconferencecentre.ca/photos/

As Lent is about to start, we are all thinking of ways we can live this liturgical season well by being generous with our prayers and sacrifices. Another great way to live Lent is by helping our friends get closer to God, and what better way to do this than by inviting them to a retreat?

A retreat allows you to engage in quiet reflection on your relationship with Jesus Christ. It is an opportunity to ponder what is going well and what is not going so well in your life.  You will come away from your retreat with resolutions that will bring new light to your everyday life. Attending a retreat can be a life changing experience, as you can see from the following testimonial.

“I got to learn about the retreats from my beautiful girlfriend. We were going through a bit of a tough time when unknown to me, her mentor convinced her to attend a retreat for young ladies in Tigoni. That weekend, she didn’t answer any of my calls. When we met the following week, it was clear to me there was something different about her… something peaceful! And I wanted it! She told me about the retreat and what it is and why it is she was unable to answer my calls. I decided to find out when the next retreat for young men would be and signed up. It would be in June. And when June came around, I was in Tigoni for the first retreat of my life.

It’s very hard to explain what my experience was like. Tigoni is first of all a very beautiful compound! Trees! Flowers! Green grass! Beautiful sunshine and gentle breezes! At night it gets pretty chilly. But the food served at all meals leaves any young and perpetually hungry man like me, with a warm, fuzzy feeling in the belly. That food was excellent!

Then there were the talks facilitated by the priest in the Chapel or in the main house by one of the directors. I have to admit this is where a notebook came in handy! The number of ideas and ideals I discovered sitting through those sessions was certainly enough to fill my notebook – especially for a first timer such as myself. My biggest discoveries were most certainly the talk on the virtue of holy purity and on the Sacrament of Confession. The other great thing from that retreat was making friends with my mentor who even today – 4 years later – I still meet with regularly.

Needless to say retreats are now an annual fixture in my calendar! And it is easier nowadays since I discovered some two good friends from my parish who also attend retreats in Tigoni. So now we usually organise to attend a retreat together.” (the original story was published here). 

Schedule of retreats for 2020

In 2020, Copper Ridge Conference Centre has something in store for everyone:  Retreats, Workshops and so much more for men and women, students and professionals, and family members of all ages.

Check out the calendar and you will discover it is FULL of opportunities. 

Perhaps one of your friends, a co-worker, a son, a daughter, a spouse or someone you care about would benefit from one of the many activities offered.

Or, consider gifting a retreat to a dear friend or relative. What a wonderful way for them to experience a great spiritual boost and a happier, more peaceful life afterwards.

Maybe you have never experienced a silent retreat yourself.

A silent retreat allows you to engage in quiet reflection on your relationship with Jesus Christ. It is an opportunity to ponder what has gone well, what has not gone so well in the past year. You will come away with a quiet resolve to grow in your interior life and to allow that growth to overflow into your family and professional life. In short, it will help you to be a much better person.  A silent retreat can be transformative.

Workshops and Seminars will give fresh ideas, energy and inspiration for many of the concerns and interests of everyday life. Topics will consider social, family and cultural interests as well as moral and ascetical formation. Indeed, there will be something of great value for everyone.

We are delighted to share with you the fruits of the many years of dedication that so many have contributed to – the opening of the Copper Ridge Conference Centre – soon to be the ‘go to’ conference centre for Western Canada and the US.

 Our calendar of events is here https://copperridgeconferencecentre.ca/retreats/. We very much look forward to seeing many of you and your friends!