by SINEAD GILGUN
Several dozen young adults took up an opportunity to “get away from it all” for a weekend of prayer, adoration and fellowship on Banks Pensinsula last month.
They attended a Journey to the Father retreat from August 24-26. The retreat offered an encounter with Jesus through prayer, the sacraments, and time with peers; all in the beautiful setting of Banks Peninsula.
The weekend was facilitated by the (Christchurch) Catholic Youth Team in collaboration with the Tertiary Chaplaincy team and also had 20 committed volunteer leaders.
Fr Michael Therese (university chaplain) celebrated Mass for more than 50 young adults; and the volunteer leaders willingly shared testimonies of God’s love, their faith, and their challenges in being Catholic to their peers throughout the weekend.
The theme of the weekend was around Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you”.
The weekend emphasised the importance of taking time out to reflect on one’s personal faith journey; and learn more about the Catholic Faith and how to share it with others. The weekend was open to Catholics and non-Catholics and was a beautiful opportunity to spend time with God and other young adults.
• Sinead Gilgunn, is CYT Formation and Young Adult ministries coordinator in
Christchurch diocese.
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