Advent Retreat at Macklin Nov. 30, 2008 provides faith enrichment for all ages

Transcription

1 Youngsters at an Advent Retreat Nov. 30 in Macklin display the advent wreaths they made in one of the many faith enrichment sessions held for all ages during the day-long program. The retreat was organized by volunteers from the parishes at Macklin, Denzil and St. Donatus. Advent Retreat at Macklin Nov. 30, 2008 provides faith enrichment for all ages By Kiply Lukan Yaworski MACKLIN St. Mary s parish in Macklin entered the Advent season Nov. 30 with a day of learning and activity for all ages. Some 300 attended the Advent Retreat organized by a parish committee that included Deb Gulka, Gerry Scheck, Carolyn Sieben, Michelle Sieben, Karen Stang, and Rev. Marvin Lishchynsky, Assisted by dozens of volunteers from the parishes at Macklin, Denzil and St. Donatus, the committee offered a program that spanned the entire day and three locations. The program featured sessions for children, youth and adults, celebration of the Eucharist with Bishop Albert LeGatt, as well as lunch and an evening banquet. The event began with morning prayer at St. Mary s Church, with different sessions held throughout the day at the church, the school next door, and the nearby Communiplex. Four speakers explored the Advent season with adults gathered at St. Mary s parish: Lucie Leduc spoke about Advent scriptures; Blake Sittler discussed 1

2 Advent and Christmas traditions; St. Teresita Kambeitz, OSU, spoke about St. Paul and letters from Paul heard this Advent; and Fr. Paul Fachet, OMI, discussed the Emmanuel theme in the gospel of Matthew. Throughout the morning at St. Mary s church hall, children ages four and five years gathered to explore the meaning of Jesus birthday through a puppet show and craft, as well as participating in a baby shower for Jesus, bringing gifts to donate to Real Choices Pregnancy Center. Meanwhile, children in Grades 1 to 3 learned about the meaning of the Advent wreath before each child created a wreath of their own which were used in a prayer service when the entire community gathered for the evening meal. In another session, this age group also learned more about the Christmas scriptures, and how they can share gifts and talents. After lunch, children ages 4 years to Grade 3 participated in a variety of carnival games at the Communiplex, before attending a Cat.Chat concert in the afternoon. Youth in Grades 4 to 6 gathered at the school throughout the day, creating Jesse trees featuring handmade ornaments recalling people and events of the Old Testament. They also learned more about Advent and Christmas traditions in a session led by Blake Sittler. Sittler also presented his session to youth from Grades 7 to 12. Singer-songwriter Jennifer Jade Kerr, director of youth and young adult ministries in Kelowna, B.C. led sessions for both junior and senior high school youth, featuring her music and conversation about faith. 2

3 In sessions held throughout the day, 15 members of the Diocesan Youth Retreat Team also led discussion sessions, activities, games and reflections for the different age groups attending the Advent Retreat, including Grades 5-6, Grades 7-8 and Grades trusting and waiting. All ages reunited for late afternoon Mass with the bishop. In his homily, LeGatt stressed that Advent is a season of hoping, The prophet Isaiah s cry in the first reading, calling upon God to come and do something about dark times, is not a cry of despair, but rather, a cry of hope in the Lord and in his faithfulness, LeGatt said. In hope and trust we too are confident in God s faithfulness, he said, adding that our response includes keeping awake, as Jesus urges in the gospel for the first Sunday of Advent. It is ironic that even in the coming Christmas season there is a danger that in all of the rushing, the shopping, and getting everything done, that we might miss the core, which is the Lord s coming into our world and our lives. Being spiritually awake includes choosing to see all the ways that the Lord is present to us in his Word, in the Eucharist and in the people around us, LeGatt said. In that which is kindness, patience, forgiveness, service, self-sacrifice and generosity, we can choose to see the Lord at work amongst us, he said. The bishop added that to see a parish take a full day to deepen their faith as Macklin has is to see the Lord at work. To take a day, young and old, to prepare for advent, to open this new liturgical year that will remind us of all the mysteries of Christ I find that fantastic, he said. That people would indeed say, yes, let s give a day for our faith, and dare to share our faith that s the work of the Lord. Advent is also a time of desire, LeGatt said. Do we want a better world? he asked. Do we want stronger love an harmony in our family, in our community? It all depends on our desire for God to be at the very centre of who we are and what we live. The retreat day concluded with a banquet and program at the Communiplex, which began with a short celebration to light the first candle on the advent wreath, led by the bishop. George Rolheiser was master of ceremonies for a program that included a slide presentation by Eldon German recapping the day, 3

4 songs by Jennifer Jade Kerr and words of thanks from pastor Rev. Marvin Lishchynsky. I think the neatest aspect of this whole retreat was how all three parishes worked together, and how well, said committee member Michelle Sieben. The Denzil C.W.L donated the muffins for the day, St. Donatious C.W.L the cookies; Macklin C.W.L served the morning coffee and muffins; Macklin Knights of Columbus supplied the lunch and served it; Denzil parish did morning prayer and the list can go on and on. Placards at the banquet tables thanked Bishop Albert LeGatt and Fr. Marvin Lishchynsky for their guidance and support, the many volunteers, the participants and presenters, as well as the sponsors of the day: Saskatoon Diocese Macklin, Denzil and St. Donatus Parish Councils Macklin, Denzil and St. Donatus CWL Macklin, Denzil and St. Donatus Knights of Columbus Kudu C P Rail Midfield Oil Supplies those who made personal donations those who donated door prizes Members of the committee that organized the Advent Retreat in Macklin for the parishes at Macklin, Denzil and St. Donatus: Gerry Scheck, Deb Gulka, Michelle Sieben, Carolyn Sieben, Karen Stang and Fr. Marvin Lishchynsky (left to right). Four speakers explore advent during retreat Four speakers explored Advent themes Nov. 30 at an all-day parish retreat at St. Mary s parish in Macklin. 4

5 While children and youth gathered for activities and catechesis, adults met within the Macklin church to reflect on the scriptures and traditions of the Advent season. Lucie Leduc, an educator and retreat facilitator from Queen s House of Retreats in Saskatoon, explored the Advent scriptures in the first session of the day. It is good to remember; it is good to turn around; it is good to let go, Leduc said of Advent s role in our spiritual journey. Reflecting on Isaiah s call to prepare a path in the wilderness for the Lord, Leduc pointed out that we are in a certain wilderness each of us, in our own time and in our own circumstances. The scriptures are not just speaking about what happened long ago, but are also about here and now, Leduc said, challenging her listeners to discover how the Word of God speaks to them at this particular moment of their own lives. Lucie Leduc It is possible to create something new in even small and simple actions, such as making peace with an enemy, reaching out to a sick neighbour, or lifting up a person who is financially or emotionally depressed or oppressed, she said. It is also possible to make changes within the community or in the global reality, by getting involved in peace and justice efforts, Leduc asserted. She encouraged nurturing intimacy with God in the advent season, through such things as liturgy and public prayer, reflecting on the Word of God using lecto divina, engaging in centering prayer, and working for others. Advent and Christmas traditions including the evolution of St. Nicholas into Santa Claus were explored by Blake Sittler in a session entitled How did St. Nicholas get stuck in my chimney? Sittler also gave his presentation to youth at the day-long retreat. He discussed the differences between a faithbased celebration of the seasons, and a secular celebration. Sittler noted that tapping into a love of the Christmas season may provide an opportunity to connect and reach out to those without any connection to faith or church. Blake Sittler 5

6 Sr. Teresita Kambeitz, OSU, discussed the letters of St. Paul that will be proclaimed this Advent season, placing them within the context of St. Paul s life. She described how Paul was raised a devout and well-educated Jew, and reflected upon his transformation on the road to Damascus, when he encountered the Risen Lord. Everything, everything was turned around for him, Kambeitz said of the experience, which took Paul from a faith based on rules and laws, to a faith based on love. Paul was fascinated by the strength and commitment of Jesus, as well as by his gentleness and the compassion, Kambeitz said, noting Paul s unending desire to be like Jesus Christ. Sr Teresita Kambeitz, OSU Paul is a guide, he is a coach, she said. Paul s not a superman, he made mistakes, he lost it a few times but he was so on fire with the love of Christ, and so dedicated, she said, describing Paul s journeys and his martyrdom in Rome. Advent readings this year include excerpts from Paul s first letter to the Corinthians, said Kambeitz, describing Paul s efforts to address the community in Corinth that was failing to live up to the gospel call, a community that had hurt and disappointed him. Throughout the letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses the community in love, but at times, his hurt and anger gets the better of him, said Kambeitz. And then he settles down and repeats what he taught them in the first place. Thanks to this unruly community, Paul s letter to the Corinthians continues to bless us today, Kambeitz said, noting this is where Paul records teachings on the Eucharist and on the Resurrection and where he writes the great hymn to love that is found in chapter 13. Rev. Paul Fachet, OMI, examined the gospel of Matthew to discuss the Emmanuel theme of Advent. He described how the structure of the gospel is an arc, with themes and messages stated in one place echoed and reinforced in other passages later on for instance, the Emmanuel or God with us passage in the first chapter is completed in the final words of the gospel in chapter 28, I will be with you always. Fachet explored how the theme of God being with us is heard throughout the gospel of Matthew for instance in Chapter 18: where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among you. Or in Chapter 25, when we hear how Christ s identity comes forth in the least of these brothers and sisters. 6

7 Emmanuel God is with us when we forgive, when we listen to each other, when we care, when we help each other, Fachet said, describing this as a litmus test for whether Emmanuel is present. God is with us when we help the least of these, Fachet said, stressing this includes the other and those outside of our community and outside of our own church: including the enemy, including those we d sooner cut off. Fr. Paul Fachet Fachet also reflected on the particular tension of the Advent season, in which Christ does come, has come long ago, and is coming. You come, you come Emmanuel, he sang as a variation of the familiar Advent hymn. You come, you are coming, right here and now in our midst and beyond