Lenten Retreat on 19 March 2016

On the 19 March 2016, a Lenten retreat, with the theme of Servanthood, was animated by the ICPE team for a Filipino prayer group that consist of parents, young adults, youths and children. The retreat was conducted in various groups based on the age of the retreatants.

Photo Credit to Bernie Velasco

The junior, youths, and young adults groups first met together for some fun filled games which broke the ice and followed by time of praise and worship. They were then broken into groups according to their age, as they proceeded for the sessions.

The junior group had two boys who were 10 and 11. We started by getting to know each a little bit more by some answering questions. Then we had a sessions on forgiveness and told the children they are loved and important and it is in knowing this that they can serve with a joyful heart. The boys, later had a special time with Jesus as they had a time of adoration. Both the boys responded well and took the teachings to heart.

The middle group is consisted of 6 young people with age ranging from 14 to 16. As we started the first session, each of us shared our reasons for attending this recollection. We realized that no matter what our reasons were, here because God invited us here as part of His plan. Through the many different games that we had, we learnt about servanthood. We then had a creativity workshop where we created artworks representing ourselves in God’s eyes. This is to help us understand who we are, how we can become better in serving God and his people.

As for the young adults group, we have the privilege of having a brother and a sister. The day started with a round of introduction and getting to know where they are in their journey. Both of them had shared that they do not belong to any particular ministry but very open to the idea of being of service to others. They participated very well with the discussion after the talk and a lot of input being given by us to wrap up the talk. This was later followed in the afternoon by a cut-out puppet called 'mini me' to represent each one of us as how God sees us. We closed the session with a short time of sharing and prayers.

Photo Credit to Bernie Velasco

The day ended with all the groups coming together as one to celebrate mass in the church. All in all, it has been a fruitful experience. We believe that God has worked in the lives of these young people and will continue to do so.

Photo Credit to Bernie Velasco

Here are some testimonies from the participants;

“I have learnt that we can get closer to God by communicating, working as a team and solving problem by thinking outside the box” – Gale

“I now feel closer to God! I was able to reflect on the question; “Who Am I?” and understand what it means to be a servant of God” – Ryan

“The Holy Spirit has opened my soul to know the fullness of beauty, when we surrender and pray; ‘Lord, not my will but Your will be done unto me’” – Mary

“From the Lenten Retreat I got a chance to revive my faith; that gets lost easily in this busy world. I feel so blessed with the Holy Spirit and very renewed to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ” – Rachael

NEW PLYMOUTH Mission at Our Lady Help of Christians Church. Thursday - Sunday, 10 - 13 March 2016

An outreach team of 10 Covenanted members of the ICPE mission from Wellington made their way to New Plymouth on a glorious sunny day. On arrival at New Plymouth we were warmly received by the billets and Agnes our main coordinator. The two day ministry that followed in the evenings brought us closer to one another while serving the Lord for His kingdom to come and His will to be done. We were led perfectly each day as we prayed together for the Lord's agenda to be made known to us.

In our times of intercession, the Lord led us to set up the three images of the Prodigal son,the crucifix and the image of the crucifix at the altar. They were a blessing to those who came with a special need for healing. The seminar was centered on the theme of Grief and loss especially as many had experienced losses in the last year and needed to bring closure. The talks were held each evening but were very brief leading mainly to times of prayer ministry. This first consisted of a welcome at the threshold of the church then an invitation to time to ponder on the images at the altar followed by the washing of the feet for those who felt the need. Finally the Sacrament of reconciliation was made available to them.Some participants had been affected by the amalgamation of parishes and had many apprehensions prior to the retreat. The following day we received some feedback from the coordinator that she and a few others experienced God's healing themselves! The highlight of the ministry time was Fr. Alliston washing the feet of Agnes the coordinator and asking for forgiveness on behalf of the church and the clergy...a moving moment indeed!

On the second evening there was a closure to the wounds of the past and a ministry involving the image of the Divine Mercy. Finally the way forward became clear and people were filled with the Holy Spirit as we prayed for the outpouring of God's Spirit and an added zeal to grow in God's love!

On Saturday evening, we reached out to the youth . About 20 youth attended that night. The night began with the food and treats followed then by a time of worship. The theme for the night was 'RESTART'and the youth have been challenged to find their true happiness in Jesus alone.The night ended by praying for each one of those young people while asking the Holy Spirit to journey with them and strengthen them. On the last day of our mission in New Plymouth, we were invited to present a short session to a prayer group initiated by a few people in New Plymouth consisting of about 15 people both young and old! The Seven last words of Jesus was the theme chosen for the topic the day. The prayer group closed with a time of surrender.

We are grateful for these four days of missions in New Plymouth. God showed His love and mercy throughout the missions. We pray that God continue to journey with these wonderful people who came into our lives.

Holy Week 2016 @ St. Gerard's

The season of Lent is coming to its climax as we enter the holiest week of the liturgical year. Here is the schedule for Holy Week.

As announced last Sunday, kindly note that the blessing of the palms will take place at the car porch. We would appreciate if you come by 10.15 am for the blessing of the palms before Mass.

Lenten Mission at the Parish of Immaculate Conception, Ellerslie

The parish of Immaculate conception, at Ellerslie in Auckland invited the ICPE Mission to conduct a Lenten mission from March 01-03. The theme was mercy. Fr. Alliston having arrived earlier to be at the weekend masses was to personally invite people to attend the same. Susilo and Helena joined him at the start of the week to lead the retreat.

The first day's theme was 'Knowing God's Mercy'. Focus was on the Father's amazingly unconditional love in the parable of the prodigal son. The Second day emphasized 'Encountering God's Mercy'. How some people in the gospels encountered mercy in the person of Jesus of Nazareth The final day talked of 'Becoming God's Mercy' as it was insufficient to only know and encounter God's mercy but that our very lives needed to reflect this mercy like our Blessed Mother in particular by engaging in spiritual & corporal works of mercy.

Each of the evening sessions comprised not only the talks but included times of praise and worship, mime, testimony as well prayer ministry. It was a blessed time for all who attended it and we praise and thank God for his mercies ever new towards his people.