The St John the Baptist RC Church second annual Altar servers Retreat was much-awaited by our altar servers. Taking place at Cumana, Toco, 28 of us, were given an opportunity to bond, regroup and refresh ourselves for the next year.

The retreat focussed on “Commitment to Ministry” and on a quote by St John of the Cross, “Where there is no love, put love and there you will find love”.This theme challenged the altar servers to be warriors for Christ in the world. 

Many altar servers believe that the only service they can provide is that which they offer in their parishes at the weekend liturgies. The goal of this year’s retreat was to show us additional ways to serve and what commitment entails, especially in their homes and community.  

This year’s retreat was a four-day well-balanced programme of prayer, teaching and fellowship in which team-work was encouraged.

We were encouraged to participate in simple games, chores and looking out for each other. Saturday’s teaching dealt with, where we were on our spiritual journey and how it related to the Cross. Dale Stephen and Neil Dwarika facilitated this session.

On Sunday morning we attended the celebration of the Eucharist at the parish church at which Fr Mike, a visiting priest from Nigeria, presided. During his homily on the miracle of the loaves and the fishes, he highlighted the fact that the little boy was willing to share the little he had, so we in turn must share whatever we have with others and with those in our ministry.

After Holy Mass, Aunty Mitzi spoke of her journey in ministry and asked us to share our feelings regarding the ministry. She challenged us on how we can make it better and to be the best we could be always. In ending, she asked us to make prayer an integral part of our ministry.

During the debriefing session later that evening, many of us expressed how thankful we felt for what we heard and experienced. After our debriefing, Jaleesa and Danielle did a session on prayer.

This was accompanied by an experiment with fire where the participants were shown how a little flame, could create a larger flame that illumines the darkness of a room. That flame is the love of Christ that we offer others and we receive that light in return.

Monday’s sessions dealt with our personal visions and goals. Uncle Gregory and Aunty Mel, touched on commitment, stick-to-itiveness, and flexibility. This gave us the opportunity to see the hard work needed for us to achieve our personal goals. We realise that our goals also affect others and they are not always in keeping with the plan God has for our lives.  

The retreat gave us an opportunity to come closer to God, and it gave the newly commissioned members a taste of what our annual bonding retreat is about. We appreciate that attending retreats is an aspect of our Church that is hardly noticed but is of great importance. 

We wish to specially thank our parish priest, our parents, parishioners and the chaperones for their prayerful support and for making this retreat possible for us. We look forward to 2007 – Toco or Tobago?