“There is an urgency about this issue – caring for the environment – which calls for widespread education/ immediate action. Marianne Karsh is a credible agent for promoting a sound ecological mission. I feel, as an educator, of many years, that the growing worldwide concern of the environment ensures that Marianne will have a receptive audience in many countries as she and others with a similar mission, attempt to grapple with this vital issue. Even Time (2 January 1989) regards the environmental crisis as the most urgent problem facing both the earth and the human community. Clear and urgent!.”
– Alice Dower, Presentation Sisters, St. John’s, NF.
“Communing with nature is one of the primary ways I nourish my spirituality. I am eager to learn the names and interconnections of what I see and love in nature so that I can commune more deeply. The opportunity to be guided and mentored in this process is a gift. I have always been struck by Thomas Berry’s contention that we humans are autistic as a species in the Earth community. I believe that Marianne’s work addresses the challenge of the millennium: the healing of this community.”
– Bethany Doyle CSM, P.E.I.
“I am more in touch with nature now.”
– Brenda Myers Charlottetown, PEI
“I reached such a peaceful feeling inside with our nature walk.”
– Kathy Hewitt NF
“Gifted me with moments of joy and a longing to spend time in nature.”
– Janine Clancy, NF
“Developed a wonderful new appreciation for nature… A new sense of awareness of all the beautiful aspects of creation…”
– Geri Sharkey, PEI
“I loved the varied activity — story-telling, songs, chants, dance, sharing, beautiful slides…”
– Rosalind McVicar, NB
“A wonderful way to quiet down… The contemplative walk was very good. I’m taking my rock home although I don’t need it to remember this time.”
– Janice Gillis, NS
“I liked the meditations and the time outdoors finding the beauty in all creation.”
– Loretta, NS
“Excellent Session”
“I shall continue to develop a closer relationship with nature and to be open to what the world is saying to me.”
“A lovely way to start a day! Thank you, Marianne.”
“Really enjoyed – Thank you for introducing it to me.”
“Great session! Much healing in the group!”
“I really enjoyed the session. I found it helpful.”
“Very enjoyable. Very peaceful and the instructor has that peace that comes across to the individual. Thank you. Very enjoyable.”
“It was good to have this time away for the routine of learning physical activity and to realize we are all different.”
“Excellent class – do not remove from the program.”
“Very restful and a class to make one aware of your own thinking and feeling.”
“Fantastic!”
“Very enjoyable session. Something for everyone. A very nice time to connect with one another after a fun-filled weekend.”
“Thank you for this opportunity. I really enjoyed it. I like the gentle way it was presented and I was touched by the participation of all.”
“Thank you Marianne for a beautiful Sunday morning – from now on I won’t feel guilty at all when I walk in the woods during church.”
“This has been a wonderful experience, very positive.”
“Marianne, I enjoyed this session tremendously. Out of the 4 sessions, I attended this weekend, this one means the most to me. I will treasure what I’ve been introduced to today and hopefully pass some of this experience to my children.”
“I loved this session. I find I always learn something to take away with me.”
“I felt totally relaxed after the session and felt a real sense of connection with the group.”
“I liked the way that the instructor tied together both biological and spiritual experiences/ teachings”
“I learned how to slow down and focus better on what I’m seeing. I will keep up my communication with nature. I was very peaceful and had a special feeling of communion amongst the women present.”
“This was a great afternoon. One of my favorites for sure.”
“Thank You For Being!”
“Thank you so much for your gifts. Thank you for sharing yourselves with your fellow spiritual travelers on the earth journey. May our paths cross again!”
– Lucy O’Driscoll, St. John’s, NF
“Marianne – a true believer. Very much in touch with the course content.”
“Really super and I’ll recommend you to my friends and acquaintances.”
“Marianne – a wealth of knowledge”.
“Marianne – Very knowledgeable and well prepared. Brought a Sacred Holiness to her material. The strong, positive message of creation as Good, God as good. Was encouraging and supportive. Would like a 2nd level course – more depth and exploration of issues, ideas from our readings.”
“Marianne – Expression of interest in spirituality, energy, and commitment. The courage to follow through on your dream to do this course. I would encourage you to present this course again. Many people I have spoken to about the course have indicated they would love to do it. Let Queen’s College, S. A. Training college and religious studies dept. know about the course. Thank You!”
“Marianne’s strength is her depth of knowledge. Her science background is complemented by her love and devotion to earth and its teachings.”
– Lucy O’Driscoll, St. John’s, NF
“Spirituality and Nature is a course that, once taken, can be termed a ‘life experience’. It is a colorful collage reflecting the varied landscape and seascape of Marianne’s spiritual journey. Drawing from a variety of spiritual traditions, her graduate studies in Forestry, her travels, as well as her own giftedness, Marianne exudes a passionate relationship with the whole cosmos. Taking her course challenges participants to a deeper and broader appreciation of and connection with the Earth, others, God, and, ultimately, oneself. Her course is a ‘life experience’ I am pleased to recommend!”
– Nancy French, M.R.E., St. John’s, NF.
“I have always loved being in touch with nature, finding a sense of peace and oneness, I found Marianne’s workshops have given me a new attunement to how nature can stimulate and bring depth to my reflections on issues of daily life”
– Sherry Connolly, Centre for Spirituality at Work.
“My experience at Marianne’s Earth Awareness workshop opened my eyes to new ways of looking at nature as a resource for my creativity. Sharing with people who work in different environments can add a new dimension to your thought process.”
“When one of the members of our group picked a space that had suffered the trauma of the fire, his perspective helped me see nature’s life-giving qualities amidst what superficially seemed like destruction. It was an example of renewal that could be practically incorporated into our own lives.”
– Diana Renelli, Freelance Writer, Toronto.
“On behalf of our small group, I want to thank you for your workshop connecting with Earth’s energies and our spirituality. We all had a wonderful morning and I got good feedback.”
– Karen Stewart, Toronto
“This is the first time in my 30-year teaching history that I ever had a development day devoted to nourishing my spirit. Every other staff development was focused on the curriculum. Thank You!”
– Teacher from I.J. Sampson School, St. John’s, NF
“My favorite part is this. I get to express my feelings and tell the truth”
“I like exploring the forests and river, (hiking), singing, breathing in and out. I like making kites, and learning about the universe, and animals.”
“I liked it when we went on the nature walk because we got to pick berries and we had lots of fun. It was fun when we were looking for smooth and rough things because we got to go to other places. When we went hiking I had lots of fun even if lots of bugs bit me. Making the volcano was fun because we got our hands gooey.”
– By Aswathy
“I liked camp because I got to make new friends. Another thing I liked about camp is the meditation sessions, especially the volcano one. The nature walks were really cool even though I got a lot of bites from bugs. Reading the clouds and testing the Don River was fun. I really had fun.”
– By Winnie
“A mi me gusto el benado por que nunca abia visto uno, tambien me gusto el rio y las plantas, las canciones, la pelicula de los patos. A mi me gusto el sol, por que es muy grande.”
– By Natalie
“I am excited about Cosmic Camp For Kids and excited by the staff’s excitement. I think the camp is wonderful.”
– A 92-year-old sister in the infirmary
“I can’t believe I learned so much.”
“I wouldn’t want to work with anyone but inner-city children from now on”.
“The camp has given me a chance to see nature through the eyes of a child, allowing me to gain a greater respect for nature and my place in the universe.”
– Derek Chan, Grade 11 Student
“I like the Talking Circle, as it allowed us to reflect on our achievements, as well as the tasks that needed improvement. Due to this daily feedback, I believe we were able to work better together as a team and modify the program suitably as the days went on.”
– Emily Cho, Grade 11 Student, Toronto.
