Giving Opportunities

Program Development Fund
In recognition of the two living founders of the Benedictines of Nanaimo (Jean Ann Berning, OSB) and the Bethlehem Retreat Centre (Jill Aigner, OSB), several donors have specified their gifts for a Program Development Fund to support ongoing quality programs at the Centre. The Program Development Fund is designed to underwrite programs that need support such as the expense of bringing a well known spiritual leader to our local community. The ability to offset some of the costs of the programs enables the BRC to continue to address the growing needs of persons on Vancouver Island who are journeying together in their spirituality.

Bursary Fund
In recent years, a gift was made to the Centre to establish a bursary fund to assist people who wish to attend events at Bethlehem but need financial assistance to do so. Over the past year seventeen people have benefited from this fund and other donors are helping to keep this dream alive.

Loan Reduction
In 2002, with encouragement and support from many people, the Benedictines of Nanaimo purchased the Bethlehem Retreat Centre from the Diocese of Victoria in order to continue their ministry of hospitality on Vancouver Island. Fund raising efforts at that time provided substantial funds for the purchase that were supplemented with a loan that was undertaken. That loan is being reduced each month with funds from the Bethlehem Retreat Centre. Many people who inquired about the remaining amount of the loan would like the opportunity to provide additional funds toward the reduction of the loan.

Greatest Need
Programs sponsored by the Retreat Centre and other groups who use the Centre provide needed income to support the ministry at the Centre. Even with the contributed services of several of the Benedictine Sisters, however, program income is not enough and the Centre relies heavily on donations to support the healing environment that has become so important in peoples’ lives.

There are many ways to give including bequests, donation of stocks and bonds, one time gift, monthly gifts or an annual pledge. If you would like to discuss your gift further, please contact:

Mary Ann Gisler, OSB, Director

Bethlehem Retreat Centre

(250)754-3254