De La Salle Retreat Belfast: 2013

Monday 29th April

Focus

The heart at the centre of our focus represents that Jesus loves us and our love for others, especially those we may not like. The different colours around the outside represent different types of people and our respect for their religion, beliefs and opinions.

Music

We picked 'Beautiful Day' as everything that God created is beautiful and 'Let It Be', which shows that God is always there.

Scripture

We chose God's call to Abraham, Genesis (12:1-2), as everyone is connected and we should be good to everyone. We are all special, like the stars and we are a family as many as the stars.

Prayers

Dear Lord

We pray for anyone who is lacking in food

and other means of nourishment.

Let them find help and end their starvation.

Amen

Dear Lord

We pray for those who are cast out from society and groups,

because of their looks, illness or personality.

We pray for those who deserve better.

Amen

Dear God

I pray for people who have a disability.

I pray for them to be better treated in the community.

Amen

Dear Lord

I pray for all the people in the world who have lost someone close to them.

I ask you, please, to help them to recover from their loss

and to help them find joy and fulfilment in later life.

I hope that you will help the poor souls of those who have died,

to make their way to your kingdom.

Amen

Reflection
Reflective: We were given lots of time today to look back and reflect on previous experiences.
Relaxing and Calm: We were able to relax and unwind during the meditation session and it was very peaceful.
Happy: We thought back on all the moments in our life that made us very happy.
Enjoyable: There were lots of games and activities for us to enjoy.
Interesting: All the activities we did were very interesting and they got our attention.

Tuesday 30th April

Focus
We designed our focus to symbolise peacefulness and today was peaceful. The sunrise represents a vision of God.

Music

We chose 'Beautiful Day' because when you're down this will cheer you up. We also picked 'All You Need Is Love', it shows that you only need love and faith, you don't need material things.

Prayers

Dear God

Thank you for everything so far and help everyone in their exams.

Lord hear us.

Dear God

We pray for those less fortunate than us

that they may find wealth and leisure.

Lord hear us.

Dear God

We pray for our friends and family who aren't with us any more.

Lord hear us.

Dear God

We pray that Pope Francis continues to look after us all

and brings everyone happiness.

Lord hear us.

Dear God

We pray for our special intentions.

We are thankful for our teachers and friends.

Thank you for the workers here at the retreat centre who have made the day enjoyable.

Lord hear us.

Reflection
The words peace, happy, love and holy reflect the mood of today.

Thursday 2nd May

Focus

We chose our focus to represent the tranquillity and calm from when we were meditating and reflecting. As the posters are our image of God we put them at the top of the sky, they're heaven. The flowers (swirls) represent individuality and happiness.

Music

We chose 'Halo', everyone is surrounded by God and there is goodness in everyone, so don't shut God out. We also picked 'Reach',God wants us to reach our full potential and try our best.

Scripture
We chose John (20: 20-21), Jesus appears to his followers, because it shows that Jesus will always be there even when things are hard and you fell like you have nobody.

Prayers

Dear God

We pray for the homeless

keep them safe.

Amen

Dear God

We pray for our school and everyone in it.

Amen

Dear God

We pray for our friends and families.

Amen.

Dear God

We pray for our grandparents and

all the grandparents around the world.

Amen

Dear God

We pray for the poor here and abroad.

Amen

Dear God

We pray for the sick and their families.

Keep them safe at this hard time.

Amen

Reflection

We learned about the images of God we have and what we prize most.

Friday 3rd May

Focus
Our design symbolises the earth and its equality. The candles and stars symbolise that God brings life and light to the earth from its centre.

Music

We chose 'Diamonds' because it shows you can shine light like a diamond and you're unique and special and you can stand out.

MGMT We chose this song because it relates to us. It reminds us of happy memories and our childhoods.

Scripture
Matthew (9:23-26), Jesus heals the officials's daughter, the moral of this story is that the father kept his faith the way we should. Don't give up on life. Also the story relates to our retreat because as the girl opens her eyes to Jesus we also do today, to God.

Prayers

Dear Lord

We pray for the poor and unfortunate,

and all those suffering at this time.

Amen

Dear Lord

We pray for our teachers and other pupils.

Amen

Dear God

Bless all of our families.

Amen

Dear God

We pray for the sick

Amen.

Dear God

Bless all of our friends

Amen.

Dear God

We thank you for this wonderful day

Amen.

Reflection
We thought of the words which stood out and were meaningful for us today.

P 7s from St Mary's On The Hill joined us for a Transition Retreat. Many of them have been together for seven years and are preparing to go in different directions. They have lots of qualities and talents especially musical, which they treated us to at their prayer service.
Friday 10th May

Music
Mairead and Aoife played 'Cead Mile Failte' on the violin and they also chose 'Man In The Mirror' because if we want to make a change, we have to start with ourselves.