I
will praise You, O Lord, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…..(cf ps.139)
We hosted and facilitated a day of retreat on Saturday,
November 12 for young ladies at the Mother of Light Convent on the theme: “Loved as I Am” (not ‘who I want to be’
or ‘who people want me to be’, but just as I am). This is the way that God
loves us.
The retreat began with Sr. Therese Maria asking ladies, “what gives you purpose and meaning in your
life?”; “why do you think that God created each one of us?”; “what gives you
value and self-worth?” The ladies were encouraged to remain grounded in God’s
love for them, because, as Sr. Therese Maria so beautifully put it, if we are
grounded in His love nothing can sway us, not even what people think of us. The
day centered on this topic and with videos and discussions, the ladies
reflected on the truth of their dignity and beauty as daughters of the
Father.
Mother Marla Marie and Sr. Therese Maria led a beautiful
hour of adoration, and Fr. James Doran from St. Anthony of the Desert Church came
to hear confessions. Sr. Therese Maria also taught the ladies how to pray with
the Word of God, by walking them through a Lectio Divina.
Also, Mother Marla Marie gave the ladies a brief explanation
of our current Maronite Liturgical Season of Happy Anouncements (Soboorey in
Syriac), and the significance of each ‘happy announcement’ as they unfold on
each of the Sundays leading up to Christmas.
The afternoon concluded with a conference and group
sharing on discerning one’s vocation in life. The ladies were given a number of
tools to help them discern God’s particular path and how ultimately in this
path they are to find authentic love and fulfillment in their lives.
If you are interested in attending a similar retreat or
hosting one in the parish, please contact the Maronite Servants on 508-996-1753
or by email sister@maroniteservants.org.