“Every Marist is required to make an annual retreat, normally in common” (SM Constitution # 125).
During the months of March and May this year, the District of Asia Fathers took time off from their ministries to do their annual retreat. The theme of the retreat was: Marists’ Communion in God’s mission. Fr. Larry Sabud, SM was the retreat facilitator.
Marist priests assigned in our mission in Ranong Thailand had their retreat on 27-31 March 2017 at Seven Fountains retreat house in Changmai. It was an experienced of grace and real communion with God and with one another. The confreres were encouraged and inspired from the input as well for coming together in prayer and reflections.
On the other hand, Marists who are assigned in Davao and Digos had their retreat on 8-12 May 2017 at the Our Lady of Matutum Trappistine Nuns Monastery in Polomolok. Again, we felt blessed and motivated to continue our mission knowing that the Holy Trinity is the one calling and sending us to manifest God’s love and mercy to the vulnerable people God has entrusted to our care.
We thanked Fr. Larry for leading us in our retreat this year. He has shared deep thoughts and insights on the Trinity, Mission and the Holy Spirit as well as the Marist values and spirituality. He himself is a concrete example of everything that he has shared with us.
One of the highlights of our retreat at Polomolok was the cordial and jovial ‘audience’ with the 35 nuns who live and work in the monastery.
We also would like to be grateful to all of you who have accompanied us with your prayers. Your spiritual support really helped us to have to have a wonderful communion with the Lord and with each other. As you prayed for us, many of you were also remembered and prayed in our prayers and mass celebrations.
May our retreat bear fruits to our individual lives and to the people we serve in our missions.
Society of Mary 