Cathy AJ Hardy
Singer-Songwriter, Spiritual Director, Author, Retreat Facilitator & Teacher
Founder and Director of Soul Care®
Soul Care® includes: Soul Care Circles, Spiritual Direction, & Soul Care Spiritual Direction Training
Passionate about creating care for the soul through songs, stories & spaces.
SONGS
Profoundly connected to the land where she lives and rooted in a deep spirituality, Cathy writes and sings from soul depths. Her lyrics and melodies flow out of the stories of her life. Her many compositions have been described as ‘healing, inspiring, hope-filled, honest and courageous’. Unfinished Song is her newest release, coming out the fall of 2021. Remain in Love (March 2018) was nominated for Inspirational Album of the Year & Folk Album of the Year with the Gospel Music Awards of Canada. Listen here. Cathy has been sharing the music of heart for over a decade with three of her albums nominated for Inspirational Album of the Year with the Gospel Music Awards of Canada. Check out more about her recordings here.
SPACES
Cathy’s passion is to create spaces of soul care for large groups or individuals through music events, conferences, teaching opportunities, retreats, spiritual direction and more. Whether for one or for many, these ‘spaces’ are designed for the soul to rest, receive and be restored. The song ‘Come to the Table’ holds the essence of these spaces. Cathy has spoken and sung for University faculty, private functions, hospice, conferences, etc.
Concerts: A concert with Cathy is an experience of soul. From tender ballads to energetic blues, she invites all who come into a journey of the soul through the music of her heart. A cross – Canada week of music and soul care is being planned for September 2023. Check out the Events Page for details coming soon! Evenings of Sung Prayers: For twenty years, Cathy led monthly spaces in the Greater Fraser Valley of BC, Canada, through Evenings of Sung Prayer (inspired by the profound impact of the music of Taizé in her life). In these evenings the ‘collective voice’ of song has the opportunity to emerge in prayer. These gatherings have taken place all over the Fraser Valley and Vancouver, including Catholic, Lutheran, United Church, Mennonite Brethren and Anglican denominations. They are currently being held in partnership with St. Dunstan’s Anglican Church in Aldergrove. Learn more here.
SOUL CARE® RETREATS
Cathy has facilitated contemplative soulful retreats since 2003. Through stillness, song, meditation and the great outdoors, Cathy creates spaces of healing and restoration for the soul. Soul Care retreats are experienced in many venues including the Westminster Abbey in Mission, Mark Centre in Abbotsford, Linwood House on the Sunshine Coast of BC, St. Francis Retreat Center in Alberta and Mt. Carmel Spiritual Centre in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Learn more about Soul Care® Retreats here.
SOUL CARE® CIRCLES
Soul Care Circles are 12-month Spiritual Formation programs that include Spiritual Direction, monthly gatherings, weekly written reflections and audio meditations. Years 1-3 include: Anam Cara, Cloister and the Red Cedar. Groups are generally 6-12 people in size and now include on-line formats. The Soul Care Circles, founded by Cathy, are expanding to be led by a growing team across Canada. For those interested in trying a personal Soul Care experience, you can check out the: On-Line Soul Care Journaling Courses NOW AVAILABLE HERE.
SOUL CARE® Spiritual Direction & Training Program
Cathy offers Spiritual Direction especially for those participating in the Soul Care Circles. As of November 2020, a Soul Care Spiritual Direction Training program was established, integrating the learnings of Celtic Christian Spirituality, Psychology, Dreamwork and much more. More information is available here: Spiritual Direction Training Her book, Walk with Me, Transformation through the Pathway of Spiritual Direction is available here.
SOUL CARE® Books / Writings
Cathy has written two poetry/prayer books called Love Breathes with Me. Walk with Me is a text on spiritual direction. Quotes can be found through Instagram. She is currently working on a book called Pause; a year of soulful meditations, to be published by December, 2023. All these and more can be found here.