The Maronite
Servants of Christ the Light traveled to Southern California to facilitate a
women’s retreat for Saint John Maron parish in Orange County. A parishioner
opened her home in Lake Arrowhead for the venue which offered a beautiful
setting for retreat. We began with 20
women on Friday evening August 24th and concluded Sunday morning
with Divine Liturgy back at the parish church.
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Fr. Antoine
Bakh, pastor, and the retreatants warmly welcomed us with their gracious hospitality.
On the Saturday evening, Fr. Tony came to the mountain home to hear confessions
and to bring the Blessed Sacrament for Eucharistic Adoration. .JPG)
During the retreat,
Mother Marla Marie gave three presentations on: finding strength, light and
healing in the prayers of the Maronite Liturgy, how to reflect on the
scriptures through Lectio Divina, and the importance and blessings of the Mysteries
of the Eucharist and Penance.
Below are
reflections from two of the retreatants:
“Your presence and
spiritual guidance, at our first Saint John Maron women's retreat made the
occasion ever more special and meaningful. Hearing how God called you into your
vocations gave witness to His love and mercy in all of our lives. I believe the light you radiated at the
retreat gave us all greater insight, knowledge, respect and appreciation for our
Maonite traditions and provided that feminine dimension of our church, that is
so much needed here, in the United States. Seeing
you later, meeting, greeting, and speaking with our parishioners and youth gave
me such a great feeling of hope for our church.” Pattie
”The Woman's
Retreat was such a success in so many ways . Everyone of the woman have not
stopped talking about how each of them were ministered to in such a beautiful
way with much love and kindness. The
combination of the Teachings and the Holiness of our Maronite Prayers, Songs
and Tradition made it perfect for all the woman. It would
not of been the same if we had arranged to have the retreat with someone else. Thank
you for giving of yourselves completely this weekend and all of us are looking
forward to you coming back in 2013.” Regina