Regional Migrant Ministers Retreat in Penang

Stella Maris Retreat Centre was the venue for a retreat organised by the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants (EMI).

Feb 27, 2015

By Don Gurugay
Stella Maris Retreat Centre was the venue for a retreat organised by the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants (EMI). Called Exodus 4, the Mission of Jesus Unto Me, it ran from January 29 to February 1 and was the fourth such retreat organised by the commission. The aim was to update and reinforce the awareness of the fifty participants involved in migrant ministries as well as to enhance their spirituality. The participants came from various parishes and lay organisations from Malaysia as well as ACMI, the migrant commission from Singapore.

The first day of the retreat was spent in discussing policy updates on migrants, trafficking and refugees. The subsequent days were spent in reinforcing the participants’ spirituality and how they could apply it in ministering to their clients.

Masses were celebrated daily for the participants, the first Mass being celebrated by Bishop Sebastian Francis from the Penang Diocese.

The speakers were:

1.Ms Sumitha Shaanthinni Kishna, AssistantDirector from the Malaysian Bar Council Migrant Refugees & Immigration Affairs Committee. She discussed the legal standpoint of migrantworkers’ issues.

2.Ms Aegile Fernandez, director of Tenaganita, a local charity which works directly with trafficking victims.

3.Mr Richard Towle, representative of the United Nations High Commissionfor Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia,

4.Mr Jude Antoine Kerygma, CatholicCharismatic Renewal Lay Missionarywho lectured on the heart of Christian leadership

5.Mr Andre Ong, lay missionary from the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Penang who spoke on the Exodus of the Christian Minister and provided the music for the prayer sessions

In between sessions, there were opportunitiesfor the participants to mingle and discuss common problems they faced. Overall, the response was very positive as attested by some participants.

John Peng Thang, from the Holy Familyparish in Kajang, Selangor, who himselfwas a refugee said, “This is my first time attending an Exodus retreat and there were great, interesting sessions. This gives me confidence, helps me decide what to do when in difficulties. I will definitely recommend this to other people.”

Dave Kameron from the New ThessalonianApostolate, a Catholic Lay Associationbased in Kedah said, “Spirituality and social work is a great mix, it’s a good place for networking with kindred spirits. It’s good to know that you’re not alone and it makes you feel you have a family.

”Sr Anita James Lintanga FSIC from Sandakan in Sabah said, “Very Inspiring.Speakers were professional.

It was a fresh way of looking at a familiar topic. The locationis very suitable. The time taken was just right and good. The Eucharist celebratedwas very special and very fruitful. The group sharing was very enriching and I found the talk by Sumitha very useful.”It was not all prayer, discussion and lecturesfor the participants. On the second night, they visited the famed Batu Ferringhinight market after the day’s sessions were over.

The final day was spent in providing feedback and listening to mini presentationsfrom a few lay organisations which ended with a mass celebrated by MonsignorBernard Paul from the Penang diocese.

Total Comments:0

Name
Email
Comments