Amid scorching January heat, the Mt Carmel Retreat Centre in Varroville, in south-west Sydney, hosted more than 200 young people at the eight-day Summer School of Evangelisation retreat. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
The Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community and brothers and sisters of the Missionaries of God’s Love led the annual retreat, with participants aged 16-35 enjoying a daily schedule of Mass, Eucharistic adoration, the sacrament of reconciliation, and praise and worship.
Organiser Sr Bernadette Toohey MGL said the summer school is renowned as an opportunity for young people to encounter Christ “exactly where he is sorely needed in their lives”.
“Made to Soar” was the theme discerned by Fr Ken Barker MGL for the summer school, drawing from Isaiah 40:30-31, in which young people are called to take refuge in God who will raise them to new heights, strengthening and empowering them to lead holy lives.
Experienced Catholics from a range of vocations and professions ran elective lectures and seminars. The young people were profoundly affected by these and by the opportunity to engage in street evangelisation.
“I had this amazing conversation with this woman and ended up praying over her. It was powerful both for me and for her,” said Sally, 18.
Evening sessions – filled with personal testimonies, preachings, Eucharistic adoration, prayer ministry, reconciliation and prophetic art – were a highlight for many.
“I had a beautiful time in adoration, and I experienced the Lord’s love. To encounter Christ’s physical presence in the Eucharist and the way he speaks into my life is wonderful”, said Connor, 23.
Danielle, 23, said the retreat had brought her a greater sense of purpose and direction for the year ahead.
“I’m excited to grow in the friendships I’ve developed here,” she said.
Organiser Nihal D’Silva said this year’s summer school “was very anointed.”
“It was a great joy for me to see the younger generation not only embrace but place their lives under the grace of the Holy Spirit and commit to a life of holiness and evangelisation,” he said.
FULL STORY
Young Catholics answer the call to holiness at evangelisation retreat (By Callum Hussein, The Catholic Weekly)
