Sr. Natalie Sayde
The Maronite Servants
of Christ the Light presented a retreat reflection on May 31st (Feast
of the Visitation) to the eighth grade students graduating from Trinity
Catholic Academy, Brockton. The retreat, held at Stonehill College, was hosted
and facilitated by Fr. Carlos Suarez, vocation director in the Archdiocese of
Boston, with the focus on their transitioning to high school.
The retreat began with
Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows. Fr. Carlos set
the tone of the day by reminding the students that they are called to be like
our Lady in her visitation to Elizabeth, in that, they are called to come out
of themselves and serve the other in their moments of need and difficulty.
Let’s face it – its hard to consider the other when we are so absorbed by
what’s troubling us, but Mary gives us a beautiful example. Rather than being
troubled by so many variables such as, how am I going to make this long
journey? What if something happens to my baby along the way? How am I going to
explain my pregnancy to Elizabeth? Mary sets out with love, only to find love
awaiting her.
After, some fun icebreakers
and group activities, Mother Marla Marie presented a retreat reflection on
being “mercy”. Specifically, Mother Marla Marie explained how we are called
everyday, not just in this Jubilee Year of Mercy, to be merciful to others. Jesus
gave us the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, so that none of us can be in
any doubt what Our Lord meant when He said, “Be merciful as your Heavenly Father is merciful” (Lk 6: 36).