Harnessing the Present to Build Your Future, 2025

“Jesus is the friend that gathers, and with him we bring our faith together to be one.” These are poignant words spoken by Father Gonzalo Chocano, who helped guide 26 university-aged women through an annual workshop at Copper Ridge Conference Centre over the May long weekend. Father Gonzalo’s words emboldened us to pursue the theme of this year’s workshop, focusing on friendship and the pursuit of happiness through personal networks and long-lasting relationships. The workshop titled “Momentum: Harnessing the Present to Build your Future,” offered a meaningful glimpse into how our present relationships influence our future happiness. Through lively activities, insightful talks, and moments of deep connection, the workshop reinforced the value of friendship and offered practical ways to pursue it.

The activities began on Friday night when Anne-Marie and Gaby led the attendees through a “Western Night” complete with line dancing, spirited conversations, and delicious snacks prepared by the administration. Though delightfully tired by the night’s end, we woke up bright and early on Saturday morning for a meditation and Mass on the anniversary of St. Josemaría Escrivá’s beatification. During the meditation, Father Gonzalo returned to the heart of the workshop’s theme, reminding us of Christ’s words: “No longer do I call you servant, but I call you friend.” With this spiritual disposition, we eagerly attended a talk by keynote speaker and author, Tamara Lechner. Happiness as a choice and positive well-being as a central imperative of human life were the focus of her talk.  Her message was clear: we must radically embrace friendship as a pathway to rediscovering happiness. As she acknowledged, this advice is often easier said than done. She shared practical ways to self-reflect, build networking skills, and set SMART goals regarding friendship. One of her most memorable messages was the distinction between “fitting in” and “belonging” in new environments. Tamara affirmed that we might not find our deepest friends in every environment, but we can be bold in our desire to seek connections in new spaces.

Deepening these new insights, we heard another talk from Professor Anne Boily, PhD from Montreal, who spoke about the challenges of friendship and how to overcome modern fears associated with seeking connection. Discussing trends in loneliness, Prof. Boily captured some present anxieties surrounding making friends in a digitized and often depersonalized world. While her message was candid, it was not bleak; rather she provided hope to overcome these fears. In an eloquent metaphor, she compared friendship to a puzzle, where each distinct piece only fulfills its purpose when fitted together with another piece to reveal a beautiful image. Similarly, we realize our human calling, not by acting in isolation, but by fostering community with others.

After reflecting on these words, the workshop became more hands-on with a session on wine appreciation, led by former UBC professor David McArthur. In this session, Prof. McArthur engaged the group through an overview of the science behind tasting and smelling wine, how to identify types of wine, and the best ways to pair wines with food. While he provided a unique insight into wine appreciation, we learned more than just how to pair salmon with chardonnay. We also discovered how to use our special interests to cultivate relationships. Through pictures depicting scenes in his life, Prof. McArthur showed us how he celebrated birthdays and anniversaries over bottles of wine shared among his friends. This session inspired us to curate our own meaningful relationships over new experiences, whether through travels, parties, or even the mundane moments of everyday life. Along with Tamara Lechner and Prof. Boily, Prof. McArthur confirmed that we must make time in our busy schedules to pursue and keep our friendships. During the evening, we carried out this message over a delicious supper and a movie, which allowed us laughs and moments of connection before a needed night’s rest.

On Sunday morning, the group awoke ready to apply our new friendship skills on a hike to Deeks Bluff near Porteau Cove, Provincial Park. After a meditation, Mass, and a hearty breakfast, Kai led us up the mountains to a beautiful site overlooking Howe Sound, Gambier, and Bowen Island. Through lively conversations we distracted ourselves from the hike’s steep inclines and slippery rocks. I heard pairs discussing everything from small matters of the day to insurmountable questions about the meaning of life. One participant in particular, Marissa, commented on how the activities at Copper Ridge have shaped her. She shared: “…my faith is renewed with every retreat or workshop that I’ve had the privilege to attend. Whether it be a time of contemplation or creating stronger bonds and lasting memories, I am truly grateful for all the service and dedication that goes into making Copper Ridge an amazing Conference Centre.” Her words echo the sentiments of newcomers to Copper Ridge and long-time attendees alike, all of whom have benefitted from the opportunities that the Centre provides. Over three short days, the workshop taught us how to pursue authentic relationships and embrace the friendships that will strengthen us for years to come.

May 27, 2025

Mary Asuquo, Political Science and International Relations Student at UBC

Forty-five girls participated in this year’s High School Girls Workshop, a tradition now held annually in December at CRCC in preparation for Christmas. This event, which brings together young participants, aims to foster community spirit and collaboration. This year, the girls were guided by 10 university students who mentored them throughout the weekend.

The workshop offered a variety of activities, including meaningful talks and a chance to give back to the community. The girls worked together to prepare 100 servings of shepherd’s pie, which were later distributed to the homeless in Downtown Eastside. This hands-on activity not only allowed the participants to practice teamwork but also emphasized the importance of kindness and service.

In addition to the charitable work, the girls showcased their creativity through a table decorating competition. The event was filled with fun, friendship, and laughter, creating lasting memories for all involved. The weekend served as a wonderful opportunity for the girls to bond, learn new skills, and spread joy during the holiday season.

The following testimony was written by two of the participants, Beatrice and Krystyn:

“During our stay at Copper Ridge this weekend, we enjoyed many activities including cooking, baking, dancing, and singing. We painted beautiful stained-glass art and learned how to sew a nativity Christmas ornament. On Sunday we prepared 100 hot individual meals and cupcakes to be distributed to the homeless in Downtown Eastside. Our days were filled with lots of fun and laughter. The food was delicious, plentiful, and accommodated all diets. The environment at Copper Ridge felt very safe and homey and the natural beauty of the surroundings was surreal.

The leaders delivered many insightful talks which inspired us to become more magnanimous and to discover the joy of giving ourselves to others with our time and talents. This reminded us to put lots of love into the meals and baked goods we made for donation to the less fortunate. We built bonds with the other girls through all the activities we did, meals shared, and time spent together. We had many opportunities to talk with God and grow closer to him. The workshop was an opportunity to take a break from the end of school busyness and the commercial preparation for Christmas. It allowed us to prepare for Christ’s coming by calming our souls and reflecting on what should be the focus of the season– God’s love for us. We realized that we were created human beings, not “human doings.”

Altogether, the workshop was an unforgettable experience filled with many unexpected events. It coincidentally happened that a landslide occurred while the girls visiting for the day arrived. Due to the highway closure, the girls had to stay overnight. We realized that if this was God’s plan for us, we would trust in Him. Thankfully, everything ran really smoothly, and it was great having more girls stay with us.

Our weekend was filled with laughter, friendship, fun, growth, and above all, God. It was an amazing journey finding God through silence especially in the oratory and being able to have Mass so frequently. We will strive to keep developing our spiritual life with Him and when we return to our families and communities, we will be returning with much more than what we left with.”

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!

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