Retreat cum outing for CLOW members

Jun 12, 2014

By Tan Lee Huan
The members of the Children Liturgy of The Word (CLOW) of St Anne’s parish had a retreat-cum-outing on May 30 and 31.

The hymn On Eagle’s Wings was sung before the talk on God's Eagle. The retreat master, Teresa Lim described the characteristics/ behaviour of the eagle to challenge the members.

Eagles have good vision. They can focus for a distance of up to 5 km from the air. CLOW members were encouraged to keep focused on God and their mission. This ability to focus can be carried into their daily/spiritual life.

Eagles build their nests at the highest place they can find for two reasons — for protection against their enemies and so that they have a clear view of the surrounding territory. In the ministry of God, members should always be alert and on the look out for danger in the form of evil forces.

Eagles do not eat dead meat. As such, CLOW members should feed on nourishing food, the Word of God (the Bible) and the Bread of Life (Holy Communion) to sustain them throughout their life.

Eagles are known to be strong and powerful birds. When facing storms, they soar to greater heights without flapping their wings as the winds propel them. The CLOW members when confronted with problems, challenges and difficulties could emulate the eagles by not giving up but turning to God who will give them the necessary strength to resolve their problems. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide and lead them.

Eagles are strong and tough because they go through tough training as eaglets. The female eagle nudges the eaglet out of the nest but it soon returns. The mother continues the nudging until the eaglet becomes independent. The father eagle, meanwhile, is on alert and ready to assist should the eaglet face danger.

God is like the father eagle; He lets us go through very tough training at times (problems, disappointments, failures, suffering etc) so that we grow strong and resilient. However, He is always there for us because He loves us. If we but trust in Him, He will certainly save us.

The members were also put into small groups to discuss how they could apply what they had learnt about the eagle’s qualities to the children under their care. In what ways could they really touch the children, their hearts and souls?

Finally, Teresa emphasised that members could impart the lessons learnt to parents who would greatly benefit from these pointers when dealing with their own children who are, after all, the future.

The members had an enjoyable and fruitful time at the Damai Park Resort in Merbok with a spirit of cooperation, unity and love emphasised by the retreat master. Further, prayers to the Holy Spirit for guidance besides other prayers and hymns enhanced the spirit of unity too.