austraLasia 1198

PNG/SI Retreat a refreshing and relaxing experience

PORT MORESBY: 13 July 2005 --  “The Retreat is the culmination and synthesis of our entire spiritual life”, stated Fr. Luciano Odorico, delegate of PNG/SI as he addressed the retreatants at the good night.  “The need to be faithful to the few practices of piety throughout the day and the spiritual exercises of the monthly and tri-monthly retreats, should be our priority”, he continued.

      Amidst the beauty of nature, the neat rows and potted plants, the beautiful statue of Mary Help of Christians atop a little mound in the center of a pond, the recently completed Emmaus Retreat Centre, Boroko, Port Moresby was the perfect setting for the annual retreat held from the 3 to  8 July, 2005.   Fr. Christopher Kennedy sdb, Rector of the Retreat Centre, Batalau preached the retreat touching on God of Love, Freedom and Surprises, Eucharist, Holiness, Mission and Compassion, Religious Life, Mary and other Salesian topics.  His insistence on personal silence to allow God space and time encouraged the confreres to spend the entire day in the serene and joyful atmosphere of reflection and prayer.  In a spirit of sharing and coordination, Fr. Rafael Galve, the Director of the Retreat involved all the participants in the different aspects of spiritual animation.

     “It has been a refreshing experience of community and camaraderie, a time for us to be recharged and return back to give of our best for the mission”, stated Fr. Albert Lenon,  Gabutu.  “I enjoyed the simple style of the preacher especially his lived out experience and his sharing on the saintly salesians”, stated Fr. Wieslaw Dec, Vanimo.  “The retreat has given us the time to rest and relax and enjoy the company of our Salesian confreres”, stated Fr. Roger Miranda.  “This has been our first community retreat in six years and we are grateful for the experience”, stated Fr. Luciano Capelli, Solomons.  

     Taking advantage of having come together, the rectors and different commission members were also able to meet at the end of the day, to plan for the visit of the Rector Major in September, discuss priorities of the delegation, initiatives of the commissions and plan for the coming Mini Chapter in April 2006
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