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Biblical retreat for laity |
| Oct 31 2008 |
28 September 2008
PENANG: In Jesus’ steps a biblical retreat for laity, conducted by Fr Jean L'Hour, MEP, pic,was held from Aug 29 -31 for the Diocese of Penang at Domus St. Anne, Bukit Mertajam.
This three-day retreat, organised by the Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Team (PMPT), aims to help the laity to have a deeper understanding of what it means to follow in the footsteps of Jesus through the Word of God. By His word and example, Jesus formed his disciples to be authentic disciples, thus this retreat will assist the laity to reflect on the word, allow the Holy Spirit to transform their lives, and put to practice the teachings of Jesus in their daily lives.
Bishop Antony Selvanayagam and the vicar general, Msgr Stephen Liew, were on hand to welcome and introduce Fr Jean (picture) n the opening day of the retreat.
Bishop Selva said that one of the greatest challenges today that faces the Catholic Church as far as an ordinary lay person is concerned, is for the laity to confront the Word of God and to live the Word of God which comes from God through the person of Jesus.
He pointed out that in the Catholic tradition, Catholics are usually satisfied with pious devotion like going to church, saying the rosary, burning candles or incense, charismatic prayer and so on. As long as they did all that, they felt satisfied they had done something for God.
However, he informed that over the years, since Vatican Council II, the Church realised that if we are not familiar with what God is saying then what would we, as a family, as a community, live by?
“It would be like,” he said, “you do whatever you like because you are not aware of God’s Word — you don’t know whether what you are doing is agreeable to God or not.”
“Hence,” he continued, “You, who are especially involved in the life of the parish, are specially invited to this retreat so that you become familiar with the Word of God, so that you can translate it in life and thus become disciples of God.”
He then proceeded to introduce Fr L’Hour. Fr L’Hour began his session by explaining what a retreat is. He pointed out the gospel of Mark, chapter 6, verse 31, which says ‘Go off by yourself to a remote place that you may have some rest.’
“This is what we are going to do for these three days,” he said. “Coming here, to a remote place, to be with Jesus, to hear again his Good News and to review our understanding of his message to us.”
Fr L’Hour’s retreat consists of 10 sessions, which include topics like The Good News of the Kingdom of God, The Opponents of Jesus and Discipleship.
There was a Eucharistic Celebration every day and at Sunday’s Eucharistic Celebration, the participants made a love offering for Fr L’Hour.
Participants who had questions were requested to write them down for Fr L’Hour who gave his answers before each subsequent session. Judging by the many questions received, it looked like the participants were very enthusiastic and had given deep thoughts to Fr L’Hour’s sessions.
Fr Jean L’Hour gave the same retreat to the Diocese of Johor on 19 - 21 Sept and Archdiocese of KL on 26 - 28 Sept.
— By Lucia Lai
Last changed: Oct 31 2008 at 9:24 AM
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