Theme: Pilgrims and Companions of Hope. Facilitator Fr Brendan Kelly

Group Photo at La Storta.

We gathered at the beautiful La Storta Retreat Centre at Sevenhill and we were blessed with sunshine though we would have preferred an end to the drought.

Together we mourned the recent loss of June Duffy, and a small table was lovingly arranged with plants and artwork to honour June and remind us of her enduring presence with us.

We also came in sorrow and concern for the unrest in the world with the Syrian Civil War, Ukraine-Russia War, Myanmar and the Gaza and Sudan wars. Fr Brendan started off the weekend talking about the movie Shawshank Redemption and its message of hope even amid evil. 

Fr Brendan spoke of the need for us to lament. To lament disrupts the routine. It is a cry against the ravages of sin. We say that this world can be a better place, and it calls us to action.

We reflected on the central message of Pope Francis’ decree for Jubilee Year 2025 – a call to be Pilgrims of Hope. We pilgrims saw many signs of hope in the beautiful landscape. We were delighted by the young calves and the hens and the ducks. At nighttime, the sky was a sea of stars and several people even glimpsed part of the Southern Aurora.

Times for prayer and contemplation as well as time for fellowship and sharing left us all with hope in our hearts and a desire to take this hope to the world.

Margaret, Kathy and Petranel (PreCLC group – Inner West)