News story

Weekend Retreat, Termonfeckin, 19-21 October 2007

From Friday 19th to Sunday 21st October, several students from All Hallows College, both present and past, took part in a weekend retreat with a difference. The retreat was held in the Retreat Centre in Termonfeckin, Co. Louth, and it was led by Anne Lee, the youth retreat co-ordinator in Knock, and her assistant Helen.

For all the participants, the approach taken by Anne and Helen marked this retreat off from any other ones they had done.

“The last time I attended a retreat,” one of the participants said, “was about seven years ago when I was at school. We spent most of the time meditating and a lot of the time in silence. This retreat was different because Anne brought something of herself to the retreat and shared her own story with us.”

Another student summed up the feelings of all the participants: “I think, on reflection, that this retreat surpassed all my expectations”.

Other comments made by participants:

“It was very different to what I had done before but very good. It helped me to look at things in my life in ways I have never done before.”

“I never would have thought of praying to Our Lady but writing the letter has introduced me to her. I was able to put down on paper issues that I would find very hard to talk about. It was nice to know that Our Lady will be there to help me through the challenges ahead.”

“I really enjoyed Fr. Declan’s homily.”

“The letter writing really made me think of some things which I had only scratched the surface of.”

“This retreat brought me closer to Jesus than I have been in a long time so thank you!”

“The last session on Saturday evening was very powerful and brought the presence of Jesus close.”

“I found the praying with scripture useful and also liked the adoration of the Eucharist.”

“A lovely inspiring weekend.”