A workshop centred on leadership, etiquette and sportsmanship, took place at the beautiful Copper Ridge Conference Centre from Friday, June 28th to Sunday, June 30th. Approximately 15 high school boys gathered for a weekend of learning, camaraderie, and personal growth.

Upon arrival, the newcomers received a guided tour of the facility and were briefed on the house rules. The evening concluded with refreshments and an examination of conscience.
Saturday, the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, began with confessions followed by a meditation and then Holy Mass. The boys enjoyed breakfast with the spectacular view of Howe Sound.

The first session of the day focused on improving public speaking skills through the GLOVE technique: Gestures, Language, Organization, Vocal variety, and Eye contact. This was followed by impromptu speeches, challenging students to put these skills into practice. After a break, the subsequent session underscored the importance of etiquette, particularly in formal settings like a formal meal. The boys’ table manners at lunch noticeably improved!

The final session featured coaching from a former top-ranked Canadian doubles tennis player, emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship for personal and professional fulfillment.

Despite occasional rain showers that afternoon, participants stretched their muscles clearing overgrown areas around the property. The day concluded with dinner, benediction, and leisure time before culminating in a get together on the deck, where music and impromptu dance moves stimulated gales of laughter and camaraderie.

Visits to Copper Ridge always feature awesome views, fantastic meals and important learning. For these young men, every moment was taken advantage of to deepen bonds with peers as well as to deepen spiritual lives.

During the Victoria Day long weekend, seventeen grade 12 and university young women had the opportunity to attend a workshop at Copper Ridge Conference Centre titled “Momentum: Harnessing the Present to Build your Future”. Featuring guest speakers and hands-on sessions, this event focused on the importance of growth mindsets and how to utilize them, skills that will be of great use in the future.

Following a night of icebreaker games, the packed Saturday started with meditation, Mass, and breakfast, fulfilling both spiritual and physical needs and continued with presentations for the next couple of hours.

The keynote speaker for the workshop, Reine Mykyte, shared her experiences on how growth mindsets have helped her through her challenges. While she shared ways of combating fixed mindsets, such as talking back to negative thoughts with positive ones, Reine emphasized the importance of having good role models and trusting God during our times of trials and tribulations. She encouraged us to look to Mary and the saints whom God allowed to experience huge challenges in their lives, yet, with His grace, they were all able to overcome. Through fostering a devotion to Mary, friendship with Christ, and finding ways to serve instead of seeking human approval, Reine demonstrated how a growth mindset can be cultivated. All of us were inspired to have faith, trust in God’s Will and accept His way of changing “cannot” to “can.”

Panelists Mary Goyens, Pamela Ducepec, and Julie Sisenda then shared their experiences of using growth mindsets in different situations – family life, academic life, and professional life, respectively. Mary shared how her daughter faced immense health challenges that the whole family had to work together to overcome, teaching us how perseverance and communication are key in overcoming any obstacles we might encounter. Pamela spoke of the importance of living a
balanced life, especially as university students tend to be very focused on their academics. Lastly, Julie gave tips regarding how to navigate challenges within the workforce, particularly stressing the importance of not giving up and recognizing that the outcome of a conflict may not always be something we can control.

After some much-needed time to process and reflect on the presentations, the workshop moved into a more hands-on phase. Megan Estrada, a current kinesiology student at UBC, gave tips on how to stay active and combat the sedentary lifestyle that students typically live. Through an interactive exercise, Megan taught us stretches that can be done anytime, even while attending lectures. She showed us how taking small breaks to exercise are beneficial for our overall health.

A Workshop for High School Boys at Copper Ridge

February 9 to 11, a group of high school boys gathered at Copper Ridge Conference Centre for a weekend workshop. The theme was “Life After School: God has a plan for everyone. What about my professional life”?

After a night of board games and snacks, Saturday started with a meditation on our universal call to holiness through our ordinary work that is done with a spirit of excellence and becomes a fitting offering to God. This was followed by Mass and a hearty breakfast which provided the energy we needed for the next few hours of presentations.

First, we had a lively and engaging talk on the trades; how the industry has evolved with its new challenges and promising rewards. We then heard how to navigate career options while considering our talents and challenges, the importance of starting to save early in life and the perils of uncontrolled phone and social media use. The morning was closed with a third guest-speaker, from St. Mark’s College, who told us about the value–both material and spiritual–of a post-secondary education in the liberal arts, and the need society has for more knowledge of the humanities.

This left us all with full minds but empty stomachs, so we had a wonderful and well-earned lunch before continuing the workshop. The day continued with an activity on goal-setting, determining a personal goal and breaking it down into “smart” steps. Many participants found it to be a good exercise to refine their desired objectives.

Another useful exercise was a personal inventory to self-evaluate how well we know what we want to do after school and how we are doing in other areas of our lives. Both activities will lead to important follow-up conversations in mentoring, which many participants receive on a regular basis.

In the end, we all had lots of food for thought to go forward in our lives. But everything–no matter how good–comes to an end in this life… It’s just that the end was also thrilling and stimulating: the Super Bowl LVIII. Regardless of whose team won, the weekend was, without a doubt, a win for all.

Workshop at Copper Ridge for Girls in Grades 6-12

On the weekend of December 16, Copper Ridge Conference Centre hosted a special Christmas workshop for the girls who attend Crestwell Clubs. The theme this year was Christmas with Class: Family and Community. The girls were led in activities that focussed on serving each other, their families and their community. High school girls were invited to stay overnight, so they had many opportunities to connect with each other and make lasting friendships.

Elementary school girls attended a day session and experienced a whirlwind of fun and activity. The volunteers organized Christmas crafts, baking and cooking lessons as well as an outdoor expedition to Britannia Creek. The girls were also provided with opportunities for confession, mentoring, and talks about beauty and the true message of Christmas.

CRCC’s very own Chef Mia taught the girls many things in the state-of- the-art Conference Centre kitchen. The younger girls baked cookies to bring home to their families, and the overnight girls baked for the less fortunate in our communities.

A variety of yummy treats were packed into boxes to be distributed at the Downtown Eastside, which will bring smiles to many faces during the Christmas season. Chef Mia’s efforts to share her love of baking were truly appreciated by all the girls who hope the seeds of joy she planted, and the heart of service she exemplified, will take deep root in each girl, and bear great fruit in the future.

Maria Farinha helped many aspiring artists paint ornaments for their Christmas trees at home. Beverly Ng led an outdoor hike that brought out an appreciation for the beauty of the Conference Centre area and gave the girls a chance to learn about each other, make new friends and create lasting memories.

The biggest takeaway of the weekend were the friendships the girls made as they got to know each other better. The variety of activities let each one share her talents and personality. They especially loved the atmosphere in the kitchen which was full of Christmas joy.

The workshop was a great success and the girls are very grateful for the many blessings and opportunities provided for them. Thanks to the amazing administration team, the girls left with hearts as full as their stomachs, which were filled with feasting on the weekend’s cuisine.

For the volunteers, serving these girls and being part of their journey of faith, friendship and virtue was an honour. We all look forward to next year, and to welcoming new girls to our next Christmas with Class adventure.

Mark your calendars for November 28, 2023 – “Giving Tuesday”

Want to get fit for this life and for the next?! We need your help to cover the cost for our new gym as well as other needs at Copper Ridge Conference Centre. To raise funds, we have decided to participate in this year’s edition of the world’s largest generosity movement: “Giving Tuesday”, on November 28, 2023.

Our goal is to raise $39,000 to pay for the gym equipment, improve the state of the gym by adding mirrors and floor mats to enhance the guests’ experiences of the gym, as well as to provide for other needs of the Centre. CRCC exists to renew society by providing spiritual, cultural and professional training to men and women of all ages and walks of life. We place a high emphasis on the spiritual AND physical health of all people, which is why we have chosen to include a gym at Copper Ridge Conference Centre.

We have a very generous Anonymous donor who will match donations up to $39,000, so let’s do our best to reach our maximum goal! You can start giving to this campaign using the button below!

Please spread the word to others by re-posting the “Giving Tuesday” links from our Facebook page and Instagram accounts on your Facebook or Instagram page.

We need your help in reaching as expansive a giving audience as possible. Mark your calendar for November 28 and ask your friends and family to help in this endeavour! Then bring them to CRCC for a physical, spiritual and cultural workout!

CRCC Facebook Page | CRCC Instagram | Donate Today!

The 2023 Fundraising Dinner in support of the Secure the Future Campaign was held on Sunday, September 17 at the Victoria Chinese Restaurant in downtown Vancouver. It was an opportunity for many friends to get together, enjoy a delectable ten-course meal and learn about the progress made so far in bringing the project of Copper Ridge Conference Centre to completion.

The evening began with a presentation by Mrs. Elizabeth Boyd, Co-Chair of CRCC Fundraising Committee, in which she shared the project’s scope and the milestones achieved so far. A heartfelt testimonial delivered by Mrs. Ping Mah followed. After the blessing of the meal by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, a delightful time was shared among all while a silent auction and a live auction were held. The organizers would like to thank everyone for supporting this event, where over $40,000 was raised!

Following is a testimonial about CRCC shared by Mrs. Ping Mah at the dinner:

Aiming Higher – Developing a Moral Ground in Corporate Culture

On Saturday, July 15 professionals from diverse backgrounds gathered at Copper Ridge Conference Centre to participate in the Centre’s first “Business Leadership Seminar” which featured the  theme “Aiming Higher – Developing a Moral Ground in Corporate Culture.” Peter Legge, entrepreneur, engaging speaker, philanthropist, and loving family man was our keynote speaker. Peter is the founder and former Chairman and CEO of the largest, independently owned media publishing company in western Canada – Canada Wide Media Limited which oversees nearly 50 publications including names we’re all familiar with- the influential “BC Business Magazine”, “TV Week”, “Western Living” and “Vancouver Magazine”. Peter was voted top speaker in North America by Toast Masters International and he is the recipient of BC’s highest honour, the Order of British Columbia. He shared his experiences and favourite lessons on how to elevate leadership skills and drive yourself to new heights through the values of integrity, never giving up, and taking control of opportunities. He said, “You have to take control of you. You have to take control of those decisions which cause you to grow — the books you read, the places you go, the language you use, the people that you meet…they help shape you over the course of your life. So what do you want to do?  Because we only get good at whatever we practice.”

Panelists Amar Doman, owner of BC Lions and Futura Corporation, and M. Elizabeth Boyd, Retired Associate Partner of IBM Global Services, then shared their stories of real-world examples of some of the ethical issues that arise in business. They both talked about the importance of integrity, truth, and a positive mindset in building sustainable businesses and leadership with a positive social impact.   

Amar told the crowd about how he purchased the BC Lions in August of 2021, after meeting with the former owner for seven years. It was a lesson in determination and perseverance.  Mr. Doman, founder and sole shareholder of  the The Futura Corporation, one of British Columbia’s largest privately owned companies which deals in asset management and investment is also CEO of Doman Building Materials, one of North America’s largest producers of pressure treated lumber products as well as many other building material products which are distributed internationally. The company employs over 2500 people.

Amar enlightened the audience about starting his first business at the age of 18 with his only seed capital coming in the form of a $10K loan from his mother. He stressed the need to do due diligence in every deal, not taking information at face value. 

Amar has spoken publicly about how he and his wife are trying to instill in their children the importance of giving back, making good choices, and developing strong character through hard work, self-discipline and treating others with fairness and respect. He even brought his three children to the event so they could hear first hand how to do this.

The other panelist, Elizabeth Boyd is from up-State New York and spent over 30 years in public and private sector jobs communicating public policy and computer solutions. She worked in NYS government for Governors Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo serving as the Director of Communications for the NYS Department of Social Services. She then went on to private sector employment as the National Child Support Manager for Unisys, a global technology company, and in a variety of management positions at IBM including Associate Partner in IBM Global Services, Client Services Executive in IBM’s Global Government Industry, and Business Development Manager and Solution Manager in IBM’s Worldwide Revenue and Fiscal Management Team.

Elizabeth told two stories where she took the high road in business and one where her efforts fell short saying that she shared these, “because I believe others can learn from both the positive and negative we experience in life.” 

A spirited question and answer period rounded out the session which was followed by a lunch in CRCC’s beautiful dining room and dessert and coffee in the lobby which led to lots of networking.

Though Copper Ridge is well known for its spiritual retreats, the business seminar demonstrated that it is also  a place where people of all faiths are welcome and can gather to exchange ideas, be inspired to lead and serve and to achieve excellence in the art of living well.

Thank you to our event sponsor.
Email: info@wainc.ca  | Phone: 604.730.1898