Many experience renewal at Prodigal Son retreat
One hundred and eighteen Catholics from all over Ipoh experienced great joy and spiritual renewal in their Catholic faith through the Prodigal Son retreat at St Michael’s Church over the weekend of Jan 31-Feb 1.
Feb 13, 2015

IPOH (Herald Malaysia): One hundred and eighteen Catholics from all over Ipoh experienced great joy and spiritual renewal in their Catholic faith through the Prodigal Son retreat at St Michael’s Church over the weekend of Jan 31-Feb 1.
The Prodigal Son retreat was presented by Dr Jeffrey Goh and his wife Angie, who are teachers of theology and sacred scripture, and was organized by the Padre Pio group.
SMC parish priest Fr Stephen Liew also presented talks on the elder son in the Prodigal Son retreat, and celebrated Masses daily for those present.
Participants also went for Holy Hour and confessions during the retreat.
Many said they were inspired with strength and courage to carry out missionary and evangelization work after experiencing the great love and mercy of Jesus. Many who came burdened with life’s sufferings, shared their pain at the foot of Christ’s cross, and opened their hearts to the love of God and neighbour.
“I cannot describe my feelings to you, only that my joy was so much when I went to kiss the cross of Jesus!
“I have been to so many retreats, but this one is the best, and I feel so alive in Jesus,” said Alice Thong, a parishioner from SMC.
She pledged to carry on her ministry as a choir member and help out at any future programmes.
Lawrence Leong, 71, said Jesus had brought his faith back and he felt renewed spiritually.
“I feel more confident now in my faith. Jesus healed all my inner wounds, and it makes me want to follow Him and be a true and faithful son now,” he said.
Tony Oon, who carried the large cross to its place at the front, shared that he wept as he felt the weight of the cross because it was as if he was carrying his father.
Cecilia Sandanasamy said she was overcome with sadness when she first came.
“There were a lot of misunderstandings at home, upheaval in my family and my heart was bent on hatred and revenge. I could not get out of it. I had given my heart over to the bad side,” she said.
After experiencing Jesus’ great love, she now wants Jesus Christ to be her victor, as he filled her heart with love and forgiveness.
Susan Koh said the retreat was a good one as it gave her an insight into the Prodigal Son.
“I believe in unconditional love. Now when I look at myself, I know I must rise up from the “death” of sin and put Jesus’ words into action. I had to go through this transformation before I fully understood this,” she said.
The retreat is part of SMC’s parish plan for 2015, following the theme of Mission: in transformation of self, community and humanity. This retreat is the first of three to be organized this year, with the second in May/June and the third in September. It is open to everyone and the registration fee is RM20.
“Now you are missionaries to be sent forth to spread the Good News. We must be prepared to help others experience God’s great love, and everyone young and old needs this,” said Fr Stephen in his closing comments.
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