Tobago’s Confirmation candidates reflect on retreat

Tobago Confirmation candidates were invited to write their reflections on the overnight retreat which was held June 1–2. It was the first retreat for this group and it was held at our beautiful retreat centre right here in Scarborough.

The theme of the retreat was: I have called you by your name (Is 43:1), and it was thoroughly explored and very well presented by Lay Minister Richard McFarlane and his team of four young adults. Our retreat ended with a missionary visit to the SVP Home for the Aged at Mason Hall, after which we returned to Scarborough to join the community for Mass at St Joseph’s.

Candidates were asked to include in their reflections their responses to the following questions: What surprised you most about this retreat? What is one important thing you learnt? What do you need to change in your life as a result of this retreat? If there is one thing you could have changed on this retreat, what would it be? Here are just a few of their responses:

What surprised you most?

The effectiveness of the Prayer Journal. During the retreat, I realised how relaxing it was to write what you wanted to say. It showed me that even if I think I have nothing to say, once I began writing, I couldn’t stop. –Chelsea-Marie

The thing that surprised me the most was how Jesus spoke to the four persons who shared testimonies about how He wanted their lives to go. –Shai-Anne

What did you learn?

I learnt how to know when God calls me. –Desron

I learnt that I have a purpose in life no matter how I may feel and the things I am going through. God is always there waiting for me to speak to Him. –Tamia

From the testimonies, I learnt that God reaches out to everyone differently. –Guinevere

What do you need to change in your life?

I want to listen to God more and do His works and experience all the blessings He has planned out for me. –Shabari

I need to increase my prayer life and to talk to God regularly. –Christian

If you could have changed one thing about this retreat, what would it be?

I would have changed the length of the retreat. I would have made it go on for the entire weekend. –

Omari

In this retreat, I would have liked to change the fact that we had to sleep at 10 p.m. and wake up at 6 a.m.

on a Saturday! –Shawnese

Many thanks to the Sisters for their hospitality and to the cooks who prepared some really delicious meals! Thanks also to the parents, sponsors and parishioners who provided much needed prayer support at the all-night vigil which took place during the retreat. – A catechist