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Apostles for Life News
September – October
2004
Report of the 2nd Annual Retreat
Held Mount Tabor Retreat House,
Bellingen, 30th July to 1st August
We were greatly blessed this year to have Father Hans Stankiewicz, from
Sydney to lead us in prayer and adoration, to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the
Mass, to hear our confessions, to offer his wisdom and insight, and delight us
with his wry sense of humour.
It was particularly gratifying that we were able to attract married couples,
and that we had a balance of men and women. We were able to involve people from
seven parishes, one of them where we had no previous contact.
Kempsey had by far the best showing with seven people including three married
couples, Bellingen came next with four persons, Port Macquarie was represented
by three members of a family, Lismore by Michelle, Nadir and yours truly, Camden
Haven was the new kid on the block with two ladies, Dot & Pat, Eileen of Coffs
Harbour was a most gracious hostess for us, and there was Brother Bruno, a
Pauline Brother from Penrose Park, while Margaret of Sawtell, while unable to
attend, had the chance to meet our guest speaker on the way from the airport.
Many people contributed to the weekend who were not themselves able to attend.
Thank you all – God will reward you in His good time!
After the evening meal on Friday, we had Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament,
Rosary and Compline (Night Prayer). On Saturday after Lauds (Morning Prayer),
Holy Mass and breakfast, we travelled to the Coffs Harbour Curran Centre, where
Eamonn Keane gave three talks on –
Marriage especially in the light of the Theology of the Body and Humanae
Vitae, The Ordained Priesthood and the Blessed Eucharist, and Catholic
Education for the Gospel of Life especially the parental role.
We are most grateful to Gail Instance, Director of Family Life International,
for sponsoring Eamonn’s visit and for her presence with us on the day.
Coby Bleys excelled herself in keeping us well fed. Again in the evening we
had Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Rosary, Compline and Benediction.
In between these various spiritual and educational sessions, there was much
time to share of matters of faith and life that are of importance to the various
participants. There were some very animated conversations in progress and some
good friendships made.
Sunday morning following Lauds, Holy Mass, and breakfast, we had an animated
discussion on “What I Can Do To Promote The Gospel Of Life In My
Parish/Workplace/Community”. This of course demanded a sharing of what is
already being done by various retreatants – pregnancy support, post-abortion
healing, telephone counselling, prayer cells, education and networking,
distribution of pro-life videos and other materials.
One important work of both a spiritual and educational nature that we hope to
promote is the celebration of the Day of the Unborn Child on the Feast of
the Annunciation – the Day of the Conception of Jesus in the Womb of Mary, with
the clear message that human life starts at the moment of conception. All were
urged to get involved with promoting this day in their parish and in the
community.
An important component of pro-life work is the formation of regular (monthly)
Prayer Cells. One retreatant already organises a weekly Rosary, and hopes
to dedicate one meeting per month to the pro-life cause.
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The meeting was a lively one with many ideas, comments and questions
on many issues, from ethical cosmetics and vaccinations to end of
life issues such as organ donation and “brain death”. Each household
got a copy of Humanae Vitae and urged to study it. Father
Hans recommends the tape/video Prof Janet Smith’s “Contraception Why
Not?” which he found an excellent tool for coming to an
understanding of the teaching which so many priests and laity
grapple with.
After lunch, Father Hans blessed our
banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe - a gift from the Carmelite Sisters
in appreciation of the work we are doing. We felt so privileged, and the
timing could not have better. Then we prayed the Rosary For Life before the
Blessed Sacrament exposed.
After Benediction Father Hans bestowed on us a special
blessing “for battle, for martyrdom and for victory” - a wonderful and hopefully
prophetic dismissal. Following afternoon tea we departed for our various
destinations.
Deo Gratias!
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