On Friday 15th March 2019, Dar il-Ħanin Samaritan in St Venera welcomed a group of 68 Form 1 students from Our Lady of Immaculate School, Hamrun for a half day retreat focussing on Appreciating Life.

Dar il-Ħanin Samaritan

As students gathered in the hall, they watched a short video clip about God’s Creation thus appreciating the beauty of creation.

God’s Creation

Life is preciousThere was time to reflect on how we can discover the beauty within ourselves and how to appreciate our life. Students acknowledge the fact that the most precious thing in our life is life itself and how we spend it and manage our time is important.  They shared examples of how we can provide space for others to serve and love them and by doing so we will surely live a meaningful life.

Students sharing how to serve and love others

Let us all shine!
Students participated actively and shared how we can all be light to others just as Jesus is the light of our life. Loving and expecting nothing in return is what makes us shine best. May we continue to love for the sake of living our life.

Students’ participation

Workshops
During the workshops, four different groups of students discussed answered questions and interacted with each other. Then all the groups came together as one and shared points that were discussed within their group.

Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4

Prayer Spaces 
There was time to pray and reflect on the various prayer stations that were set up. Students prayed for people in the world and for people in the community. They also thought and wrote about what they would give up during lent, prayed for forgiveness and wrote prayers for peace.  There was also time to be still and to appreciate moments of silence in the chapel.

What am I giving up during lent?
Prayers for the community
Fizzy Forgiveness
Prayers for people in the world
Prayers for Peace

Holy Mass
Fr Reuben celebrated a  concluding mass with the joyful participation and animation of students who sang songs of praise and prayed earnestly to their dear family members and friends. The atmosphere was peaceful and loving in God’s presence.

Thanks be to God for this fruitful seminar and also to the administrators and educators accompanying the students who were very attentive and engaged throughout the seminar.