Manitobans have the chance to experience a rekindling of their soul after a retreat that is designed to teach people to heal their spirits through time with Christ.
Cathy A.J. Hardy is a singer/songwriter and the founder of Soul Care. She first got into music when she was introduced to the music genre of Taizé (TAY-ZAY), which is a prayerful form of music known for its simplicity, yet rich and meditative essence.
After being introduced to and impacted by that music format, Hardy began to write songs in the genre that were personal to her, share them with people willing to listen and eventually had the opportunity to have them recorded and produced.
"To my surprise, I began to share those songs, and they actually resonated with people," says Hardy. "That was a shock to me because I thought I just got to share what was happening to me. So, I began to lead what is now called 'Evening of Sung Prayers,' they're like songs that are rooted in the Taizé tradition but with the heart of 'how can we pray together through music?'"
That is when Hardy founded Soul Care, which is an organization that provides an environment where the soul can be healed and nurtured. The founder says many people put too much time and energy into the physical world and what others think, and that it damaging to a person's interior self.
"Soul Care is a provision for your interior life. If I can use a word picture—your life is like a tree, and mostly, we're looking and what we can see about the ground. Soul Care is to care for what you can't see, what's underneath the ground in the root system. It's to nourish you through music, through contemplative practices."
Hardy says she's heard people say they don't know who they are, they are so exhausted with their everyday life that they've forgotten to take care of themselves, and this is why soul care is important.
"I believe we each have a soul that is part of us that remembers who we are through the eyes of God."
Hardy is bringing her spiritual healing practices to Winnipeg on Tuesday, September 19 at the Canadian Mennonite University campus.
She invites everyone to join, especially those who work in ministry and are feeling burnt out from working with the community. It happens and healing and revitalization are necessary when it happens.
Hardy talks of Psalm 23 which talks of lying down with the Lord and having the soul restored through Him. She hopes the space offered to those interested will act as a way for believers to find that time with God.
After the retreat portion, Hardy will also host a concert where she will perform her songs that have come out of her own Soul Care journey.
To learn more and purchase tickets, visit https://soulcare.ca/.