By Sister Therese Maria Touma
During weekend of March 11-13th, the Maronite Servants of
Christ the Light were on mission at our Lady Star of the East in Pleasantville,
New Jersey. We were invited by pastor, Reverend Kamil Al-Chouefete to give a parish-wide
retreat on Mercy. On Friday evening we joined the parish in praying the Way of
Cross and Benediction of the Cross, and offered meditations we edited from
Patriarch Rai's reflections.
The weekend included a children’s retreat from 9AM to noon on
Saturday, then visits to the sick and home bound. In the evening, Mother Marla
Marie spoke on vocations and the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light mission
at the Divine Liturgy. Later in the evening, we guided the parish in
Eucharistic adoration and healing service, which included confession. We also
had an interactive evening and sharing with the MYO on mercy and forgiveness in
our lives.
On Sunday, we offered the mothers a presentation on how to keep
children in the faith. Afterwards, these women requested to make a retreat at
our convent for extended time to pray with us.
We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend with the beautiful parish
family of Our Lady Star of the East. We thank Abouna Kamil and the parishioners
for their warm hospitality, support and goodness in welcoming us and responding
so positively to our mission. We look forward to being with them again in the
near future.