The period Monday March 3 to Friday 7 was a very special time for the parish of South Oropouche. During these days we had the privilege of participating in our annual parish retreat.

Our preacher the very vibrant Fr Urban Hudlin who took us through a deep spiritual walk. For weeks before the retreat we as parish, were praying for the success of the occasion and thank God our prayers were answered. We had a crowd every night, with the largest number in attendance on Thursday night – the night of reconciliation.

On this night we were reminded of Jesus’ mercy and compassion; were made to examine our consciences and did a very significant and soul-searching penitential walk carrying light candles.

Before we left for the walk we were encouraged to think of the one sin that was our greatest challenge. We wrote this on a piece of paper and took it on the walk.

On returning to the churchyard we put the paper and candle into a drum and made a fire which was allowed to burn out.

This experience was very meaningful and put us in the correct frame of mind for the sacrament of reconciliation, on our return to the church. There were four priests present to hear our private confessions Fr Henry, our parish priest and Frs Shijomon, Sirju and Hudlin.

Fr Hudlin did not come alone, but was accompanied every night by the wonderful choir from his parish of St Peter’s, Pointe-à-Pierre. These choir members, with their beautiful voices displayed extreme commitment and exuberance.

Their contribution added a whole other dimension to the retreat. They sang right through when confessions were being heard. We are deeply grateful to them and all the other parishioners from Pointe-à-Pierre who came and whose prayerful support we appreciate.

Solidarity was the theme for the retreat. Fr Hudlin entreated us to focus on the vision God has for our world – everyone living in harmony among ourselves and with God. His sermons were very interesting and were punctuated with humorous anecdotes, some of them drawn from his own personal experiences at home and abroad.

We were really given a lot of spiritual food for thought. It will be difficult to have had that experience and continue to live a mediocre life. We were truly inspired.

We were advised to put our trust totally in God. Our mantra for the week was: “Be strong, stand firm, have no fear of them, no terror, for Yahweh your God is going with you; he will not fail you or desert you” Deuteronomy 31:6.

Fr Hudlin introduced us to many innovative exercises all relative to the theme. For example we were each assigned a prayer partner whom we were expected to lift up in prayer for the week.

We were later encouraged to continue praying for these faith partners even after the retreat was over.