January 22, 2011: St. Anthony's Girls, Chembur: RETREAT VII
At the request of Sr. Sophia, the principal of St. Anthony Girls' High School, Chembur, the AVEC team organised a day's retreat for thirty catholic students of standard seven. The students were invited by the preacher, Fr. Glenn Lowe to view the retreat as a 'Vacation with God and Self'. He based his talks on the scriptural passage 1Tim 4:12
The retreat began with a screening of prayerful and meditative hymns that set a spiritual ambient. It was encouraging to see the catholic students participating with full attention and eager to grow in their love for Jesus and His Gospel message.
Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes too joined in for the first time in animating the retreat. He helped the student to make a journey into their past and dreams in to their future. Through a lot of creative and interactive moments the students were able to get the message loud and clear. Celebrate life with no regrets and have the courage with God's grace to live your future with greater purpose and meaning.
The students took time to evaluate their live and re-set the clock of their lives based on Gospel values. Being the feast of of young student saint, Laura Vicuna, Fr. Glenn took the opportunity during the Eucharistic Celebration to help the students look at the life of this young saint and model their lives too on the path of holiness. A few elements of the Salesian Youth Spirituality were proposed as a means to live holy lives.
After the Mass, the students expressed words of appreciation and a few of them wrote their comments in the AVEC log book of appreciation. Given below are some of their comments:
"Thanks so much for the deeply spiritual experience and for inspiring us to lead our life better. I pray that you do come again" Simron Chauhan
"Whatever father taught us has really touched my heart and we also learnt that with faith in Jesus there is nothing that will let us down" Sheryl L. Denis VII-A
"The retreat was really nice. Father explained a lot of valuable things and we also realized that it is important to take care of our beautiful world and not destroy it." Schnelca D'Mello VII -B
