These past two months, the Spiritual Retreat Working Committee 2018, went all-out to recruit parishioners and non-parishioners to register for our Parish  Spiritual Retreat. In total, they recruited 221 people (156 from our parish and 75 from other parishes). Despite a long weekend break, I was really happy with the total number of persons who  signed up for this three-day Spiritual Retreat, which was held from 31 August – 2 September 2018.

Oh yes, we all ought to take our hats off to the organising committee led by Alan Jong, for their tireless effort and excellent commitment towards this event. I personally take pleasure in congratulating all the participants who attended the Retreat. Our Retreat Master, Rev. Fr. Roni George and his companion Bro. Milen from the Divine Retreat Center in Sydney, Australia were both pleased to guide us during this Spiritual Retreat, and they were happy with the well-planned coordination of the whole event.

I didn’t sit through the entire Retreat, but I was fascinated with the Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick, which were added into the programme. The Eucharistic Adoration was held for three days at the respective hour, and it helped participants to listen with their hearts, intercede for their many needs and encouraged transformation in their personal lives. The Eucharistic Adoration was a time of grace, a time for repentance and a time for renewal of their hearts.

On the second day, time was set aside for individual confession. Six priests were available to hear confessions – Fr. Roni George, Fr. Eugene Benedict, Fr. Mari Arokiam, Fr. Michael Chua, Fr. Dominic Tan and I. We managed to hear the confessions of all participants within 2 hours. Most of the penitents came with deep regrets at how they have failed to live their Christian lives and after confession they felt much relief as they came to realise how much God loves them.

On the third day, Fr. Roni administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for the participants as a closing for the Retreat. It was a special moment experiencing the elimination of anxiety, the abolishment of fear, the inspiring confidence in the Lord Jesus and the healing of the physical body, mind and spirit. For me, these three spiritual activities were undoubtedly the most touching and inspiring.

Many participants have personally shared with me their enriched faith and rekindled relationship with Christ following the Retreat. It has definitely given our participants a sense of discipline, to create a time for prayer every day in their lives, and to focus on the presence of God. I hope all of them will, carry out with enthusiasm, the mission of Christ in the circumstances of their daily lives, and remain faithful to Him.

Once again, a big thank you to all who attended and participated in our Parish Spiritual Retreat. Thank you also to the team of helpers, including our Altar Servers and Youth, who contributed to the success of the Retreat.

We thank God for His guidance and blessings. May He continue to bless the participants, organising committee and in particular, the preachers of our Retreat – Fr. Roni and his companion, Bro. Milen – abundantly!

Rev. Fr. George Packiasamy

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