About Us
Mission Statement: Mount St. Francis is a retreat centre nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where all are welcome in the name of Christ. The Franciscan Friars, inspired by the vision and example of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, in collaboration with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary and many other loyal supporters, have served in this spiritual centre of peace, healing and prayer since its foundation in 1949. Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre is a sponsored ministry of the Franciscans of Canada.
Retreat Team
Leah Perrault, Executive Director
Leah Perrault studied English, Geography, and Theatre at Campion College in Regina and Pastoral Theology at St. Michael’s College at the Toronto School of Theology in Toronto.
She has spent the last twenty years in senior leadership positions in various settings across Saskatchewan.
She is a sought-after speaker and retreat leader across Canada. An author of three books and a regular columnist www.leahperrault.com.
Leah’s most important role is partner to her husband, Marc, and mom to their four children: Robyn, Eliot, Charlize, and Atticus.
Friar Guylain Prince, OFM
Friar Guylain Prince, OFM has many talents: biblical scholar, lecturer, priest and choirmaster. As an author, Father Guylain is sensitive to the beauty of nature, where he likes to reflect, meditate and write rather meditative texts, in a tone of confidence. He has been engaged in ministry for more than 25 years, with a special focus on the needs of the poor. He is also a very active Facebooker and YouTuber, with over 5,000 subscribers each. He publishes videos commenting on biblical texts, analyses of songs – especially hard rock, metal and progressive. Everywhere he is interested in an open dialogue about the meaning of life and spirituality.
Susan Campbell
Susan Campbell originally from Edmonton, is a lay woman who has served in adult faith education for over 30 years, starting at St. Francis of Assisi parish where she worked on staff with the Franciscans. Fr. Louis Geelan, it so happens, was the Associate Pastor on the team at the time. She came to Mount St. Francis after serving 18 years as the Director of the Pastoral Centre for the Diocese of Prince George. While there, she oversaw the Diocesan Lay Formation Program and taught in the areas of scripture, liturgy, ecclesiology, Christology and spirituality. She received her theological education from Newman Theological College, Edmonton (B.Th. and M.Th.); St. Paul’s University, Ottawa (completed course work in the Mission Studies program); and the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium (M.A. Rel. Studies). Most recently, she completed the Spiritual Direction Training Program from the FCJ Centre in Calgary. She is energetic, engaging and a good listener.
Staff
Office Staff
Deb is the Administrative Assistant and is responsible for Bookings and Reception. She comes with many years of office experience in the schools and the energy sector. She has been a staff member since 2011.
Tin is the accountant for Mount St. Francis. She also maintains our mailing lists and oversees the charitable giving records. She started in 2009 and brings many years experience in the financial field.
Kitchen Staff
Jason is the head chef and oversees the kitchen staff. He obtained his Red Seal certification from the culinary program at SAIT. He comes with many years experience in the restaurant industry. He has been the lead in our kitchen since 2012.
Ross joined the Mount in 2022. He, trained at SAIT through the Professional Cooking Program and comes with experience in restaurants and hotel kitchens.
Liam completes our Kitchen Team, he holds the PCK Diploma from SAIT. He joined us in January 2025, after many years working in various restaurants.
Eric and Matthew assist in the kitchen and dining room during our retreats.
Housekeeping and Maintenance Staff
Johanne and Ruth have served in housekeeping for over a decade. They are very particular about keeping the rooms and facilities clean and tidy. Sally joined the housekeeping team in August 2025
Herwynn has served as maintenance manager since 2016. He monitors all the mechanical systems of the plant and stays on top of the general repairs, maintenance and groundskeeping.
Friars In Residence
Friar Kevin Lynch, OFM
Father Kevin Lynch, OFM, was born in the Peace River Country of Northern Alberta (McLennan). Called to be a Franciscan as a young student at St. Anthony’s College, Edmonton, Alberta, he was ordained in 1962 after studies in Montreal and Ottawa. He taught senior high school science, math and religion with the Edmonton Catholic Schools before becoming Director of Religious Education for that District (1973-95) and served as Head of the Franciscans of Western Canada (1982-92).
Presently Kevin feels blessed to work in his own Order’s Retreat Centre in Cochrane, Alberta, in a ministry dear to his heart. Prior to 13 years at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre (Cochrane) he spent 11 years in St. Michael’s Retreat Centre in Lumsden, Saskatchewan, where he chaired an inter-church board (Anglican, Evangelical Lutheran and Roman Catholic) that operated the Centre. Retreat ministry allows him the “soul space” to name the God of Jesus Christ in many ways.
Friar Robert Mitchell, OFM
Born in North Bay, Ontario, educated there and in Parry Sound, Ontario, Father Bob studied at the University of Western Ontario in London. For some of the years he was involved in teaching. Fr. Bob came west to join the Franciscans. He has served in retreat ministry both at Mount St. Francis and, St. Michael’s Retreat Centre in Lumsden, SK. He has been at the Mount since 1994. For many years he has been, and continues to be, a legendary preacher of retreats and spiritual director.
Friar Joe Glaab, OFM
Hello, I am Fr. Joe Glaab, OFM, the newest member of the Mount St Francis community. I arrived at the Mount in September, 2022. Allow me to share a few points about myself.
- I am a Franciscan Friar, the same community as the Friars at Mount St Francis.
- I previously served in St Joseph the Worker Parish in Richmond, BC for four years.
- I did my first vows as a Franciscan in 2012.
- I was ordained to the Presbyterate in 2017.
- My ministry here in Cochrane is divided between St. Mary Parish and Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre.
- My ministry at the Mount involves school retreats, sacramental ministry, and maintenance.
- I am a loyal fan of the BC Lions… Just want to be clear on where I stand.
Friar Dennis Vavrek, OFM
Friar Bert Manthey, OFM
Friar Edward Anthonipillai, OFM
Latest News
In the Season of AdventNovember 28, 2025 - 11:20 am
Servant of the Gospel – St. Didacus Feast DayNovember 7, 2025 - 10:14 am
Gratitude Is Uniting – Thanksgiving 2025October 12, 2025 - 11:11 pm
OCTOBER 5 – Pet BlessingOctober 10, 2025 - 2:58 pm
On the Feast of St. Francis – St. Clare: Faithful Companion At Each HourOctober 4, 2025 - 4:16 pm