Sharing: 2014 Retreat for Priests

I arrived at Maryknoll Society House Stanley with 3 priests on June 15 night, while 8 priests arrived earlier than us.  They would attend the retreat at Maryknoll Society House Stanley on June 16-21. There were 17 priests attended the retreat.

  I asked Mr. Kevin Lai of Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Marriage and Family to give a talk.  They really appreciate his talk and one package of books, booklets, etc.  They wish him to give training in their places. 

The retreat was started June 21 evening and was led by Fr. Pierre Lam, MEP, who is the Vicar General and the spiritual director of Holy Spirit Seminary Hong Kong.

I assigned every priest to a small group of 4 or 5 priests, so there were 4 groups.  Each group will take turn to be responsible for chapel (celebrants, reader, leading the song, adoration, morning and evening prayer: the office and Angelus) and for dining room (leading prayer before and after meal, helping to wash the dishes and setting up the dishes).   Each group eat at the same table during the retreat.  It’s a silent retreat with two conferences everyday, private sessions are available during the day.  I am also available as an assistant spiritual director.  One priest met me twice and I ended the session with prayer together.

Cardinal John Tong came on Thursday night. He gave a short talk and a red envelope including to me.

Fr. Pierre was the main celebrant on Friday because he should leave right after conference on Saturday.  He led the adoration and reconciliation rite followed by sacrament of reconciliation in the evening.  There is an instrumental music during meals.

During the last conference on Saturday morning, all of them do appreciate this retreat and wish there will be another retreat next year.  They formed a group chat to keep in contact. They expressed their gratitude for my help and Maryknoll during Saturday Mass. 

Sr. Joseph Lourdes found a new chasuble in one of our closet so I gave away as a prize. 

Last year Fr. Lu asked me to arrange a retreat for this year so I arranged this retreat based on his schedule.  Fr. Lu left Thursday morning as he got toothache besides a commitment in the parish on Friday.  I just wonder and thank God for leading me to arrange this retreat for more priests through the request of Fr. Lu even though he should left early.   It’s the second retreat for priests that I arranged.  Last year, there were only 4 participants including Fr. Lu.  It was also based on his request.

Most of them left Stanley on Saturday right after lunch, several of them went around Hong Kong and stayed till Sunday morning. 

Hong Kong, June 25, 2014

         

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

Let’s do simple things with simple love to make God’s love visible