Vision, Mission & About Nita

This retreat & spirituality ministry belongs to the Diocese of Penang.  It is the first diocesan-based Spirituality ministry in Malaysia, and perhap the whole of Asia, serving God people in this diocese and throughout the world, irrespective of race and religion.  ALL are welcome.

Vision:

Towards Greater Intimacy with God: Through Prayer, Self-Knowledge and a Personal Relationship with God.

Mission:

·         To provide spiritual nourishment through retreats, workshops and spiritual formation – individually guided and in groups.

·         To share different ways of praying and meditation, especially from within the Catholic church’s history, teachings and diverse spiritual traditions.

·         Spiritual guidance for a more personal and closer relationship with God.

·         Finding God in All Things (incl. scripture, nature, body movements, art and silence).

·         Deeper listening to God & conversation with God.

Types and Nature of Spiritual Nourishment Provided (in English, Chinese & Bahasa Malaysia):

·         To present retreats (e.g. silent retreats) and prayer related workshops in collaboration with other presenters and ministries within the Diocese.

·         Outreach to different parishes within the Diocese once a month, to be carried out on alternate years.

·         To provide spiritual guidance and sacred listening space as a form of contemplative social justice.

·         To provide support to those discerning a vocation, seeking life meaning and purpose within the embrace of God’s love and grace.

·         Empowerment of those who are weak and marginalised; a place for God's grace & healing to take place.

·         Including youths, special needs, both educated & uneducated, those far & near from home.

·         To introduce different spirituality from the wealth within the Catholic Church e.g. Ignatian, Franciscan, Carmelite, etc.

·         To share resources and collaborate with other retreat and spirituality centres around Malaysia and internationally.

Financial Contribution:

Our priority is that no-one be excluded from our retreats due to financial reasons. While suggesting a love offering of RM30/session, we invite you to make any donation that is possible to support our ministry. When you book a retreat, you will only be invoiced for the cost of accommodation and food (where relevant), and we invite you to pay what you are able for the spiritual guidance sessions.

About Nita Ng, Spiritual Guide of St Joachim Spirituality Centre

By the invitation of the Bishop of Penang, Nita Ng founded this ministry of Retreat and Spirituality at a diocesan level.  This is the first of its kind in Asia Pacific, and opens people of all faith background and all walks of life.

She is also the first lay spiritual director to the Catholic seminary in Malaysia, accompanying the spiritual and prayer lives of potential future priests from dioceses and religious communities throughout Malaysia, both through monthly spiritual direction sessions and annual eight-day retreats.

In 2016, she was appointed as a member on the board of directors of Spiritual Directors International, and invited to be one of the two Malaysian representative to the World Community for Christian Meditation National Coordinators' conference (held every five years) in the United Kingdom in June 2016, especially for her efforts in sharing the gift of Christian Meditation with Sunday school children (ages 7-16) around Malaysia in the past 2 years.

Nita has been in the retreat and spirituality ministry since 2006 and worked full-time in retreat centres in Canada, England and Hong Kong.  She started her spirituality training in India, has since learnt and taught around the world, in both religious and secular settings, to multigenerational and spiritually diverse audiences.  Previously, she was an international business consultant, taught MBA, and managed projects for NGOs.  Her books include “My Little Meditations Book” and “Meditations with Icons: For Children and the Young-at-Heart”.  She also prays through art and her batik paintings have been shown internationally.

In 2006/7, she turned down the dream job of her youth (a job offer at the United Nations) when she knew she was called to this ministry, and in her previous service with the Jesuits, a Jesuit professor and director at a Jesuit educational institute had approved and agreed to supervise her for a PhD in Christian (Ignatian) Spirituality that would have been expressed through Art.  However, due to financial and other circumstances, that was not meant to be.  Nita is grateful for and give acknowledgement to these gifts that, while they did not come into fruition for her, are nevertheless part of the graces and gifts that brought her where she is today.  In trust and Communion with God, always.