Tetere, Solomon Islands, 18 December 2023 -- Holiday time is the best time for children. More than 350 children aged 10 to 15 came together from 11 Catholic communities of the Salesian Parish, Christ the King, from 1-5 December for spiritual faith formation.
The first day began with an Adoration Service to initiate the mood of spiritual life. DBRTC prepared the venue with proper decorations and a clean and beautiful environment, which enabled the children to get quickly into the state and atmosphere of a spiritual retreat.
The second day began quite early, at 6 am, with ZUMBA!! The kids enjoyed the dances and exercises. Holy Mass followed this. Six Jesus Youth members from Australia came to Don Bosco to animate various formation activities.
The first session was on 'God's love', which helped the children to understand the unconditional and unfailing love of God, which they were all chosen to receive freely, and which they accepted wholeheartedly. The children began witnessing the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives from the very first day.
After lunch, the second session was on the ugliness of SIN and how it separates us from God. The children were very open to these sessions and were keen to learn more about ways to get closer to God and walk away from SIN.
All through the day, the kids joined the praise and worship sessions wholeheartedly as they sang and praised.
God with hymns such as “ Take Me to the River,” "Yes Lord,” “God's Love is so Wonderful,” and many more beautiful hymns.
The night's Adoration was indeed a miracle! Jesus Youth led the children in a time of adoration, and it was such an Awesome time to see how our Blessed Lord taught the kids to pray for the down-pouring of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, there was mighty downpouring and anointing on these children.
After the Adoration, the children enacted Bible-based dramas. They prepared for the skits with utmost sincerity, and it was indeed a time of Joy to watch them act various parables from the Bible.
The third day began again with Zumba dance and exercises, followed by Holy Mass. The Faith Formation session conducted by Jesus Youth was about Salvation, Forgiveness and Inner healing. They seemed very attuned to the skits and activities, which helped their young minds to grasp the depth of these topics.
In the afternoon, the children had ambient time for games and fun.
The night's adoration was truly blessed because the children allowed Jesus to heal their inner wounds and release them from any bondages that stopped them from living their Life freely. The prayer ministers prayed on every child during the time of adoration.
It was followed by gospel music and dance competitions from every community.
The fourth day began with Zumba exercises, followed by Holy Mass.
The formation talk was on the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. The whole day children spent learning new things about the Holy Spirit, and how they are able to allow themselves to be used by the Holy Spirit and how He powerfully works through each one of them. The visit to the prison was cancelled due to heavy rain and a cyclone.
In the evening, we had a marvelous Rosary Service, contemplating the Joyful mysteries. It was followed by adoration. After adoration, the children from all communities put up Cultural dances — a beautiful time to learn more about their cultures and traditions.
The fifth day began with Zumba followed by Holy Mass.
The Faith Formation talk for the day was on; "Growing in Christ”. The children learned the importance of Personal prayer, the Sacraments, the Word of God, Evangelization and Fellowship. We then had a Bible quiz for the kids and a gospel music concert and distributed the Christmas cards and chocolates!
The children were taken to their communities on truck, fully energised singing all the way to their homes.
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