This year’s Retreat was held at the Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre, Ormiston on Brisbane’s southern Bayside. One of our retreatants, a veteran from Sydney, sent me an email later describing the venue as “without doubt the most beautiful of all the locations we have had for a retreat in my experience.” And many of those attending would echo that. The theme for the weekend, which was led by Bishop Allan Bradley, was “Light from the Past for Now.” Over several sessions, Bishop Allan drew on wisdom writings from many sources – scripture, literature, poetry and even gravestones! Everyone present was invited to contribute something of their own – some piece that had left a lasting mark on their lives and gave the rest of us something upon which to meditate through the silence. These ranged, again, from scripture, a prayer remembered from Confirmation, the Dalai Lama, and Shakespeare to Lord Baden Powell. We also shared in worship in the lovely chapel that looks out across Moreton Bay to North Stradbroke Island. Highlights were our usual services of Healing and Benediction on the Friday evening and the Sunday morning celebration of the Holy Eucharist by our Regionary Bishop for Australia and Indonesia, the Rt Rev Graham Preston. I felt particularly moved when singing the favourite hymn “How Great Thou Art” while looking out over the Bay. Our Lord is indeed great! This year, the retreat attracted increased interest among our members and, as well as our local congregation from St Alban, people joined us from Toowoomba and environs, out back of Kingaroy, and Hervey Bay, as well as two from Sydney. They were unanimous that we should all meet again next year for another such spiritually invigorating experience. But it would not have happened without much hard work by our Conductor Bishop Allan, Secretary Janet Harding and St Teresa’s Facilities Manager Patrick Cremin. Thanks guys!
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