Marist Retreat in Manchester

List News

05/07/2019 - United Kingdom

Marist Retreat – Manchester Retreat Centre - 22nd June 2019

Someone said it’s all about the journey. Travel is not always smooth, there can be many twists and turns, detours and holdups, but the rewards at the journeys end are usually worth waiting for. Our journey and our day Retreat was filled with laughter, tears, prayer, great company, excellent food and hospitality, such a rewarding day.

After our warm welcome with Sisters Helena, Maz, Mary Frances and Sylvia, our first session with Sr Helena started with a very moving Candle Lighting Ceremony in the Chapel, a beacon for the day for all our prayers and the opportunity to reflect on the people who needed our prayers.

Srs. Mary Frances and Maz led the next session, a presentation on a brief history of the Foundress of the Marist Sisters Jeanne Marie Chavoin, her childhood and family, and her determination to wait until she knew what God’s will was for her. It examined how Frs. Pierre and Jean Claude Colin invited Jeanne Marie and her friend Marie Jotillon to start a female branch of the Society of Mary. It was good to be reminded of the struggles endured by these women, the hardships they faced and how tirelessly they worked in the service of the sick and the poor.

Before lunch, we spent quiet time in the Chapel with Exposition, and finished the morning with group prayers.

Lunch was delicious, conversation flowed, and on to the final session of the day with Sr. Sylvia. We spent this last session in the beautiful garden. Under the shelter of the trees on a warm summer afternoon, the birds were tweeting in the background, pan pipes tinkling from the trees; we had three different statements to discuss. After our discussions we had to then relate our findings to our role as Marists both within our families, churches and the community. It proved an emotional session, with lots of laughter and tears, but happy tears.

We ended the day together in the Chapel to offer prayers of thanksgiving for a happy, peaceful Retreat, a day in the true spirit of Mary.

Before leaving, we enjoyed delicious fresh scones, made by Sr Mary Frances, to sustain us on our journey home.

Pam Kershaw

Marist Way, Cudworth.