15 members, some with their family,  participated in a retreat at the Benedictine Abbey retreat centre at Jamberoo, 3 hours from Sydney and Canberra over 18 to 20 November.

Magistral Chaplain Fr Paul Nulley directed the silent retreat following two themes: “Humility and Freedom” and “The Order of Malta as a Means for Holiness”.

Confrere Frank Testa, coordinator for this retreat, said, “I found the retreat a wonderful experience in a beautiful setting. It was amazing to be in silence in nature – it truly gave us an opportunity to block out the sounds of everyday life and allow us to encounter God. Fr. Paul’s sessions were thought provoking and gave us many points on which to reflect. It was also wonderful to join the Benedictine nuns of the Abbey in prayer.”

President Confrere James Douglas in this second retreat with the Order this year said “A retreat is an opportunity for us to renew our spiritual lives, normally in the company of others, under the guidance of a spiritual director and away from our usual daily lives. We are familiar with them in the Order.”

“This retreat was held at the Benedictine nuns’ Abbey at the beautiful rural location of Jamberoo, inland from Kiama. Fr Paul Nulley, one of our Canberra chaplains, led the retreat thoughtfully and most successfully. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to gather, in silence on the Saturday, to get to know each other better and to extend our relationship with God. The ability to attend the nuns’ beautiful liturgies added so much to the experience.”

“Confrère Frank Testa is to be congratulated for conceiving and organising the event. I hope it is the first of many more.”

Fr Nulley had been particularly active with the Order this year as chaplain for our Lourdes Pilgrimage in May and the September Youth Camp in Victoria.