By Natalie Salameh
On Saturday, November 22, 2014, the
Maronite Servants of Christ the Light offered a
retreat day for the children of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Worcester, MA, with the
focus on how God teaches us to give ourselves in love in the events of the
Season of the Glorious Birth of Our Lord, the “Happy Announcements”.
Mother Marla Marie
explained how the Season of Happy Announcements is made up of six Sundays,
during which we see how each of the people in the Bible passages is responding
generously and lovingly to the call of God in their lives.
The children were reminded of the great
gift of Jesus at Christmas, and were challenged to think of ways that they can
prepare for Christmas by being more generous and loving. During the day, the
children were able to participate in a Nativity Play which they
enthusiastically staged for their Pastor, Fr. Gaby Hoyek, and a number of
volunteers.
The retreat concluded with the children
actively participating in Saturday’s Vigil Liturgy, which celebrated the Feast
of the Annunciation. Some of the children read the intercessions and Epistle, all
sang the hymns, while others offered the gifts.
