retreats & events

come away awhile, and rest with me - Jesus

peace, rest, refreshment, (re)connection with God

Our Christian faith teaches that we must regularly retreat to our ‘secret place’ to connect with, and hear from, God.

Jo regularly hosts spiritual retreats at Catholic abbeys and monasteries in Australia, New Zealand, and around the world.

Two women standing in front of a wooden wall with a sign that reads "Kingdom Builders" decorated with flowers and greenery. The woman on the left has light skin, brown hair styled up, and is wearing a beige jacket and white pants. The woman on the right has light skin, curly brown hair, glasses, and is wearing a floral blazer.
Woman in a green dress speaking into a microphone and holding a book, standing in front of a crucifix mounted on a wall in a church or chapel. The image shows multiple angles of her during a presentation or speech.
Two women smiling and interacting outdoors, one dressed as a nun in a habit and the other in a floral sleeveless dress with sunglasses, surrounded by green bushes and trees.

  • *REGISTRATIONS CLOSED

    ‘MEDIATIO’: Latin: Meditation/contemplation.

    The what/why/how of Christian meditation.

    Carmelite Monastery - Avila room.

    ORMISTON, QLD, AUSTRALIA.

    SATURDAY, 25 JULY, 2026

    2-5PM

    A mini silent retreat for women.

    Join us for 3 hours of silence, solitude and stillness, in the beautiful grounds of the Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Spirit.

    The afternoon will include an input session, Lectio Divina (meditation on Sacred Scripture), and the Liturgy of the Hours (Vespers/Evening prayer).

    Cost: $25pp (includes afternoon tea)

    What to bring: bible, journal, pen, warm clothes for outdoor prayer time.

    Booking: Email jo@johayes.com.au

    Booking confirmed on full receipt of payment:

    BSB: 484 799

    A/C: 160657247

    It will be a delight to have you join us.

    *on arrival at the property, the Avila room is the first small building on the left, as you enter the driveway - before the main convent.

  • **AT CAPACITY ** But please feel free to register your interest, in case of cancellations, and/or to be notified about future retreats.

    Sisters Of Mary Morning Star Convent.

    7 Crown Street, Mitchelton, Qld, Australia.

    SUNDAY, 21 June, 2026

    3.30-6.30pm

    A mini silent retreat for women.

    Join us for 3 hours of silence, solitude and stillness, alongside the contemplative Sisters of The Morning Star.

    The afternoon will include an input session, Lectio Divina (meditation on Sacred Scripture), Adoration and the Liturgy of the Hours (Vespers/Evening prayer).

    Cost: $25pp (includes afternoon tea)

    What to bring: bible, journal, pen, warm clothes for possible outdoor prayer time, an expectant heart.

    Booking: Email jo@johayes.com.au

    (*please monitor your spam folder for my response - reply emails occasionally land in there!)

    Booking confirmed on full receipt of payment:

    BSB: 484 799

    A/C: 160657247

    It will be a delight to have you join us.

    JO HAYES & the SISTERS OF THE MORNING STAR

  • Sisters Of The Morning Star Convent.

    7 Crown Street, Mitchelton, Qld, Australia.

    SUNDAY, 3 May, 2026

    3.30-6.30pm

    A mini silent retreat for women.

    Join us for 3 hours of silence, solitude and stillness, alongside the contemplative Sisters of The Morning Star.

    The afternoon will include an input session, Lectio Divina (meditation on Sacred Scripture), Adoration and the Liturgy of the Hours (Vespers/Evening prayer).

    Cost: $25pp (includes afternoon tea)

    What to bring: bible, journal, pen, an expectant heart.

    Booking: Email jo@johayes.com.au

    Booking confirmed on full receipt of payment:

    BSB: 484 799

    A/C: 160657247

    It will be a delight to have you join us.

    JO HAYES & the SISTERS OF THE MORNING STAR

  • *** AT CAPACITY***

    Sisters Of The Morning Star Convent.

    7 Crown Street, Mitchelton, Qld, Australia.

    SUNDAY, 8 March, 2026.

    4-7pm

    A mini silent retreat for women.

    Join us for 3 hours of silence, solitude and stillness, alongside the contemplative Sisters of The Morning Star.

    The afternoon will include an input session, Lectio Divina (meditation on Sacred Scripture), Adoration and the Liturgy of the Hours (Vespers/Evening prayer).

    Cost: $25pp (includes afternoon tea)

    What to bring: bible, journal, pen, an expectant heart.

    Booking: Email jo@johayes.com.au - (please specify the ‘SILENCE Lenten Retreat’ in subject line).

    Booking confirmed on full receipt of payment:

    BSB: 484 799

    A/C: 160657247

    It will be a delight to have you join us.

    In loving kindness,

    JO HAYES & the SISTERS OF THE MORNING STAR

  • Year 10 silent retreat

    Bookings via https://parefsouthcrest.edu.ph/contact-us/

  • An event for students.

  • An event for students.

  • Sisters Of The Morning Star Convent.

    7 Crown Street, Mitchelton, Qld, Australia.

    SUNDAY, 14 September, 2025.

    3.30pm - 6.30pm

    A mini silent retreat for women.

    Join us for 3 hours of silence, solitude and stillness, alongside the contemplative Sisters of The Morning Star.

    The afternoon will include an input session, Lectio Divina (meditation on Sacred Scripture), Adoration and the Liturgy of the Hours (Vespers/Evening prayer).

    Cost: $25pp (includes afternoon tea)

    What to bring: bible, journal, pen, warm clothes for outdoor prayer time.

    Booking: Email jo@johayes.com.au - (please specify THE ANCIENT PATHS Retreat).

    Booking confirmed on full receipt of payment:

    BSB: 484 799

    A/C: 160657247

    It will be a delight to have you join us.

    In loving kindness,

    JO HAYES & the SISTERS OF THE MORNING STAR

  • An event for staff, faculty and parents.

    Bookings via https://parefsouthcrest.edu.ph/contact-us/

  • A teaching/input session for young women.

    3pm

    Sisters Of The Morning Star Convent - CEBU, PHILIPPINES.

  • Carmelite Monastery - AVILA room.

    287 Wellington Street, Ormiston, Qld, Australia.

    SATURDAY, 21 June, 2025.

    2-5pm

    A mini silent retreat for women.

    Join us for 3 hours of silence, solitude and stillness, in the beautiful grounds of the Carmelite Monastery.

    The afternoon will include Lectio Divina, Adoration and the Liturgy of the Hours.

    Cost: $25pp (includes afternoon tea)

    What to bring: bible, journal, pen, warm clothes for outdoor prayer time.

    Booking: Email jo@johayes.com.au - (please specify Quietude Retreat).

    Booking confirmed on full receipt of payment:

    BSB: 484 799

    A/C: 160657247

    It will be a delight to have you join us.

    In loving kindness,

    Jo & the Carmelite sisters of Ormiston

  • The Norman Hotel, Wooloongabba.

    Dinner and Talk: “Bold & Brave to Breakthrough”

    6pm arrival for 6.30pm start.

    More details: Flores Teresianes, on Facebook (Women’s Ministry of The Oratory, Annerley).

  • “How To Hear From God”

    6.30pm - 7.30pm

    Followed by a meditation session.

    An event for university and young professional women.

  • KEYNOTE SPEAKER - Syro-Malabar Youth Conference

  • CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

    ****AT CAPACITY****

    APOLOGIES TO ALL WHO’VE MISSED OUT

    2 January, 2025

    4-7pm

    7 Crown Street, MITCHELTON, QLD, AUSTRALIA

    COST: $20

    Strictly limited availability.

    Bookings via jo@johayes.com.au - booking confirmed on receipt of payment (OSKO/PayID using jo@johayes.com.au)

  • Guest speaker - DISCIPLE’S NIGHT

  • Speaker - annual ecumenical prayer service

  • “LIVING FAITH IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA” - hosted by Fernhall Study Centre - an apostolate of Opus Dei. More details

  • A silent retreat for women - johayes.com.au/silenceinthecityauckland

  • A silent retreat for women - MORE INFO

  • A silent retreat for women - MORE INFO

  • A mini silent retreat - MORE INFO

  • 3 day Lenten mini-mission. More info

  • ‘JOY’ - a New Year silent retreat

  • Speaking event - ‘How To Hear From God’. More info

  • Speaking event - ‘How To Hear From God’. More info

  • Speaking event - ‘How To Hear From God’. More info

  • Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Scotland. Various events/silent retreats.

    Scroll down for more info.

    1. Guest speaker - Newman Hall - UC BERKELEY.

    2. NAPA Institute Summer Conference.

    3. Sisters of Life - Solemn Profession of Final Vows - NYC

  • Guest speaker - Sisters Of The Morning Star religious formation house

SUNSHINE COAST

LENTEN MINI-MISSION

A flyer with information about a religious community's 2024 Lenten Mini Mission sessions, including topics, dates, and times, with a photo of a woman speaking in the upper right corner.

WOMEN OF THE WORD

The power of Sacred Scripture: How intimacy with The Word will radically transform your life.

WORD OF GOD SUNDAY

4th February, 2024

CARMELITE MONASTERY - ORMISTON, QLD, AUSTRALIA

**PLEASE NOTE, REVISED SCHEDULE, SEE BELOW

9.15am: Holy Mass

10.30 - 11.30am: Session

Followed by SOLITUDE + SILENCE: pray in the church/soak in Scripture/walk the grounds.

An event for women of all ages (18+)

What you need: Bible, journal, pen

Pink promotional poster for Word of God Sunday 2024 at Carmelita Monastery in Ormiston, QLD, featuring an event titled 'Women of The Word,' presented by Jo Hayes, a TV journalist and evangelist, with a photo of her, noting the event is on February 4th with a 9:15 am mass.
A floral-themed invitation for a New Year silent retreat, featuring pink flowers, green leaves, and gold geometric accents, with the word 'JOY' in large pink letters at the center.

Jamberoo Abbey

NSW, AUSTRALIA

A NEW YEAR SILENT RETREAT

29 December, 2023 - 1 January, 2024

With great joy, we announce a silent NEW YEAR retreat - the perfect opportunity to reflect on the year that has been, and seek God for all that is to come.

Silence + Solitude + Stillness

Prayer + Mass + Sacred Scripture

Arrival: 2-5pm (December 29)

Departure: After 9am mass (January 1)

Cost: $240pp

Linen and light breakfast provided

BYO food for lunch/dinner (Full kitchen facilities available)

(Some options/suggestions: Frozen meals available for purchase; Coles delivery is also available, in the local area).

REGISTRATIONS CLOSED

REST

A SILENT ADVENT RETREAT

tarrawarra abbey

YARRA VALLEY, AUSTRALIA

December 8 - 10, 2023

Come. Take time out from the hectic pre-Christmas season to rest, refresh, and truly enter the spirit of Advent - a time to prepare our hearts to receive Christ at Christmas.

Retreatants can look forward to 3 days of blissful SILENCE, SOLITUDE and STILLNESS with God - plus Lectio Divina input, led by Jo Hayes.

Retreat will include prayer, mass, adoration and meditation (on The Word of God), with the Cistercian monks of Tarrawarra Abbey.

Meals + linen provided.

Cost: Gift offering.

An event for women of all ages - places strictly limited.

UPDATE (21/11/23): THIS EVENT IS NOW AT CAPACITY.

We apologise to anyone who has missed out.

Text on a teal background promoting a silent advent retreat called 'Rest' at Tarrawarra Abbey from December 8 to 10, 2023, with white candles and eucalyptus leaves as decoration.

NOVEMBER parish series

HOW TO HEAR FROM GOD

Promotional flyer for a religious event at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Clear Island Waters. Features a church building with water and city skyline in the background, and a small portrait of Jo Hayes OSB. Details include the date, time, and speaker.
Promotional flyer for a religious event at St Agatha's Catholic Parish, Clayfield. It features a watercolor illustration of eucalyptus leaves, details of a talk titled 'How to Hear from God' by Jo Hayes, a TV journalist and evangelist, scheduled for Sunday, November 12, after the 5:30 pm mass. The flyer includes images of a woman and a stained glass image of Jesus.
Flyer for a church event titled "How to Hear from God" hosted by Holy Family Catholic Church in Indooroopilly. Presented by Jo Hayes, a TV journalist and evangelist. The event is scheduled for Sunday, November 19, 2023, after the 6 pm mass. The background features a sunlit park with trees and a body of water.
Scenic view of turquoise lake with green hills and mountain range under cloudy sky.

A SILENT RETREAT

MARIASTEIN ABBEY

SWITZERLAND

SEPPTEMBER 28-30, 2023

REGISTER
Modern wooden house with stone pathway and steps, set against a backdrop of rolling green hills and mountain range with snow patches in the distance.

details

Join us for 3 days of prayerful silence, solitude and stillness - with the Benedictine Monks of Mariastein Abbey. Founded in the 14th century, Mariastein is one of the most famous pilgrimage locations in Switzerland.

Hosted by Jo Hayes, the retreat will include mass, the divine office, adoration & meditation (on Sacred Scripture).

Meals + linen provided.

Cost: 200 CHF

An event for women of all ages - places strictly limited.

A winding trail runs through lush green hills covered in dense vegetation, with a misty, cloudy sky overhead and distant houses on the hills in the background.

Abbaye Notre-Dame d'Oelenberg

ALSACE, FRANCE

1 OCTOBER, 2023

Delighted to announce a silent retreat in the Alsace region of France.

Join us, as Jo Hayes hosts a day of prayerful silence with the Cistercian monks of Abbaye Notre-Dame d’Oelenberg - an abbey which dates back to the 11th century..

8.30am - 5.30pm

Our day will include:

Eucharist (at the Crypt), the Divine Office, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a tour of the abbey, plus plenty of time alone, with God, on the grounds of this beautiful abbey.

A retreat for women of all ages.

BYO lunch/snacks

Cost: free

Register

TYBURN MONASTERY

LARGS, SCOTLAND

UNITED KINGDOM

OCTOBER 6-8, 2023

The perfect retreat for first-timers to SILENT RETREATS.

Hosted by Jo Hayes, retreatants can look forward to 3 days of SILENCE, SOLITUDE and STILLNESS with God.

Retreat will include prayer, mass, adoration and meditation (on The Word of God), with the Benedictine nuns of Tyburn Monastery.

Meals + linen provided.

Cost: £100.00

An event for women of all ages - places strictly limited.

Interior of a church with stained glass windows, wooden pews, religious paintings, chandeliers, and sunlight streaming through windows.
Register