DATE: 22-23 MAY 2017
RETREAT MASTER: Fr VITALIS
ATTENDEES: Makusha, Tito, Emile, Ladilas, Ishmael, Anna, Bongi, Nomsa, Yasmin
Day One
THEME OF THE DAY: FORGIVENESS
A hymn ushered participants in the mood of the retreat to acclimatise them emotionally and physically. Welcoming them all, Fr Vitalis explained the purpose and the need of having the staff retreat to reflect on oneself in order to move forward. He stated that the Refugee Pastoral Care’s mandate is delicate in the sense that it involves dealing with afflicted people who have been pained directly or indirectly. Therefore, a proper handling of such people should be required.
Through Jesus ‘teaching one important lesson was singled out in the retreat which the issue of forgiveness is. He taught humanity to forgive as God does to whoever asks for his forgiveness. A question then was put to the participants: why do people shout? Even though the person could be next to you? It was discovered that when two people are angry at each other a distance comes in to separate them. However, when two people are in love they talk instead of shouting or whisper or at a greater extent they communicate using bodily language. Anger opens up a divergence between people which ultimately separates them.
The retreat master evoked a thought triggering illustration to the participants. The account was about a man who pretended to be blind when his wife gradually began to lose her beauty. Purposely the man acted that way in order not to discourage his wife as her beauty was fading and, as a result her confidence started dwindling.
Moral lessons were derived from the accounts which are:
1. Sometimes it is good to act blind so to ignore other people’s short comings. That is a spirit of forgiveness.
2. No matter how many times the teeth can bite the tongue, they still stay together. A spirit of forgiveness is demonstrated.
3. Even though the eyes don not see each other, they sill blink together, cry together, see things together. A spirit of unity prevails.
Participants were also given very useful quotes to ponder about:
• Alone one speaks but together one talks.
• Alone one can enjoy but together one can celebrate.
• Alone one can smile but together one can laugh.
• A razor blade is sharp but it cannot cut a tree.
• An axe is very rigid but it cannot cut one’s hair.
• We should never look down on people unless one is admiring the shoes.
The retreat master drew the participants ‘attention to An Extract of Pop Francis message delivered on the 18 may 2017 which was as follow:
“Paraphrasing him, Fr Vital articulated Pop Francis message emphasizing on the issue of forgiveness in the sense that there is nothing like a perfect family. The latter is composed of individuals who are not perfect themselves thus forgiveness comes in as a vital tool for it survival emotionally, spiritually and health wise. Furthermore, the Pop said that if one cannot forgive, one opens a field for battle. Without forgiveness the family becomes sick, but if one can forgive, the sickness turns into good by cleansing one’s mind and sets oneself free. One needs to forgive in order to be in communion with God. Besides, hate is poisonous, it intoxicates and kills. It will also lead to heartache and eventually to death. Hate is self destructive. However, a family ought to be a place where life springs forth and not a death-trap; a territory of cure and not of illness, a stage of forgiveness and not of guilt. A family being a nucleus of all societies, forgiveness becomes imperative for its survival for it brings joy where there is sorrow. Forgiveness is a product of joy; it brings healing where there is ailment.”
Fr Vitalis gave another thought enticing illustration to the participants which reads as follow: A psychiatrist drew a car on the board and requested his patients who were mentally sick to push the car sso that they could be released. As all the patients wanted to be free, they rushed to push the car which was drawn on the board, he realised that one patient remained behind then the psychiatrist asked him why he did not join others in pushing the car? He replied that he had locked the car and the key is with him.
Participants shared various views about the story.
Break
One writer said: “We are earth born but we are not earth bound”
It is of prime importance to help those who are in need and that requires sacrifice. The retreat master likened the work in the Refugee Pastoral Care to a candle which burns because it reduces itself. The moment it stops reducing itself, there will be no light in the process.
Biblical passages were shared from 1King; 17-24, Luke7; 11-17. The moral is that no matter the situation one is going through, one is not bound by it, on the contrary one is bound by God. The true meaning of one’s life is found only in God.
Participants shared their views.
Afternoon Session
Participants looked at the sensibility of life by examining the Ethos, Pathos and logia as a philosopher Aristotle put it. Mathews 25; 31-46 substantiated the idea behind the above terms. The work at the Refugee Pastoral Care should comprise those qualities.
• Ethos: speaks of ethics, integrity, and creditability.
• Pathos: speaks of empathy or sympathy. People do not care how much one knows until they know how much one’s care.
• Logia: speaks about good communication skills, knowing what to say.
Participants were engaged into sharing their personal experience in relation with the work at the Refugee Pastoral Care.
The retreat wound down on that note in preparation for the second day.
Day Two
THEME OF THE DAY: SUFFERING
Biblical accounts were looked at again substantiating challenges that are bound to occur as God’s people journey in this life. Nevertheless these people never lost confidence in God despite the challenges.
Genesis 12:10.
• Despite Abraham’s friendship with God, he ended up being a refugee.
Genesis 26
• Isaac was born though Sarah could not bear children.
Genesis 37
• Though Joseph had been anointed, he had to be sold by his brothers to catapult him into his destination.
Deuteronomy 2
• Despite Moses’ promises by God, he only saw the promise land but did not enter it.
It was summed up that challenges are bound to come. It is either to teach us a lesson, or to prevent something from happening. Therefore one needs to develop a thankful attitude to whatever that comes our way.
The retreat culminated in an evaluation conducted by each participant as it drew to a close. The coordinator then seized the opportunity to present his vote of thanks for the time Fr. Vitalis put aside to run a well deserve retreat and for all the participants’ involvement.