Retreating to experience God’s love

- Mr. Angelo D’Cunha

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

23^rd Aug 2013

Saturday, 10^th of August 2013, was a day of reckoning for the twenty Christian students of Std. X of our school.  A retreat was conducted for them by Fr. Allwyn Misquita and Mr. Harry Menezes at Don Bosco Youth Services, Matunga.  The inaugural talk was given by Fr. Rector, Fr. Godfrey D’Sa, who entreated the boys to be faithful in belief, in the year of Faith, and successful in life. The tragedy of today, he said, is the distorted zest obtained from wrong knowledge and the ignorance of God’s plan. This is the greatest danger in the realm of faith.

Fr. Allwyn began with the power-point presentation – a praise and worship song ‘Our Father’ by Don Moen.  Thereafter, with many appropriate references to the Bible, Fr. Allwyn spoke about our sinfulness, and the realization that we cannot save ourselves, but through the grace of Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Faith means finding an answer in the heart.

Mr. Harry Menezes, with his resounding voice, and with the help of a power point presentation, spoke on Self-Esteem.  The most important attribute in the building or destruction of our lives is self-esteem. Two powerful videos were shown where people with high self esteem proved to be a success in life. Nick’s story in ‘Life without limbs’ was an inspiration. He had neither hands nor legs, yet played golf, swam and lived life to the full. The video of the ‘two ballet dancers’ – one without leg, the other without hand – winning the dance competition was yet another motivational story.

At the lunch break, all the participants were served sumptuous chicken bhiryani and halwa for dessert.  Post lunch, a series of action songs were conducted for the retreatants  by Fr. Allwyn.  He then introduced them to the ‘Seven types of Prayers’ – Adoration, Repentance, Petition, Intercession, Forgiveness, Thanksgiving, and Communion.

The Blessed Sacrament was exposed for praise and worship.  The adoration began with Divine Mercy Rosary with intercessory prayer for the intentions of many people at large and for the whole world – for peace, change and transformation.  The retreat drew to a close with the benediction and blessings of the Lord.  All joined in the singing of the hymn ‘I thank you Lord’ by Don Moen.  Truly a blessed day for all of us!