Passionist Young Adults Retreats - October 2009

To “Rest in the heart of God, in a silence of faith and love” did the Young Adults trek to Highland Home in the Pohangina Valley to experience.  The year 2009 marks the first Passionist Young Adults retreat, in which 21 young adults ranging from 19 to 35 were welcomed to the mighty Manawatu to enjoy the weekend of October 2nd to 4th on the Passionist retreat. 

The theme of this retreat was to “Come walk awhile with me” and this is just what these 21 retreaters spent the weekend doing.  Sharing their journeys with Fr Kevin Hennessy CP and Brother Nicky van der Bergh CP, the Young adults were taught about the Charism of Christ, stages of prayer and the value of both solitude and companionship in prayer.  The weekend was comprised of sessions run by Nicky followed by time for the retreaters to have time to reflect on the content of the session.  Reflection included prayer time in which the Young adults were given the time to learn the importance of being at peace with Christ in private prayer. 

Retreaters were encouraged to go into nature and appreciate the beautiful gifts to be revealed there.  St Paul exclaims “May all creation bring you to love God” and this time taking in the beautiful Pohangina Valley’s richness of landscape, flora and fauna allowed the Young Adults to experience God in nature; the very thing we often take for granted in our everyday lives.   Reflection also included pair prayer sessions in which faith, Christ’s passion and the journey of St Paul were explored with the reassurance of a friend in Christ. 

Fr Kevin Hennessy CP and Br Nicky van der Bergh are both from the Melbourne Passionists.  Fr Kevin came out in 2006 for the first youth retreat and I can definitely say that the serene facade Kevin and Nicky put on no longer fools me!  These two are far from!
Fr Kevin is blessed with a very special sense of humour that both encourages and draws youth and adults alike to the presence of Christ in each other.  This very special gift that Kevin has ensures that the retreaters feel a sense of belonging, a strong sense of self worth and the strength of the presence of Christ in fun and laughter.  Kevin, we very much appreciate your sense of humour and the way in which you conduct these retreats.

Br Nicky prefers to be the techno guy, ie standing back not being on the forefront on retreats.  However Nicky embraced the opportunity to lead the retreat and did a remarkable job.  Nicky’s enthusiasm, charism and laughter proved to be an inspiration to the Young Adults.  Nicky presented on issues surrounding journeys, prayer, solitude, companionship and the strong presence of Christ through powerpoint, group discussion and great music!  Although Nicky is not usually the frontrunner at retreats, he did an amazing job and the Young Adults came away inspired and alive with the spirit of Christ.  Nicky, we all enjoyed your honesty, sincerity and willingness to always have a good laugh!

A big thank you to Kevin and Nicky for all their hard work, you both do an amazing job and the youth of New Zealand are very lucky to have the support and guidance of you both. 

All this said, 2009’s Young Adult retreat was a weekend of fun, friends and most importantly faith.  The Passionist charism and the theme of walking with St Paul of the Cross has indeed been passed onto the Young Adults who attended this retreat, and we pray for the continuation of the progression of each of their faith journeys, “may the Passion of the Lord be always in (their) heart(s).”

Click these names to read the stories of Heike and Tori who attended the 2009 retreats.

Keep checking this web site for future retreat dates. Or if you would like to be contacted with future dates sent your details to: shanorm@ihug.co.nz  or lil_tori_p@hotmail.com

Victoria Prendergast – Organising Committee