Teresa Hartnett’s Inspirational Retreat Message
Recently we had the pleasure of having Teresa Hartnett (M.R.E.), the Director of Family Ministry for the Diocese of Hamilton, join us to lead us in our first Advent Retreat for all parents across the province. As one of our pillars of OAPCE, we provide Faith formation to all our parents. We share this wonderful message from T. Hartnett to all:
It was a joy to spend time with the many members of the OAPCE who joined together to share an Advent retreat and prepare for Christ’s coming at Christmas. The retreat was meant to let us all pause and remind ourselves of the reason for the season. Together, we took a brief period of time to spend some time with God during Advent. God sent his son to be with us, knowing he would pay the price for our sins and his sacrifice opened eternity with God for each of us. Christmas is a time to rejoice and show gratitude
During the retreat, we reflected on the Holy Family, who, by example, model for every family how to live a life steeped in faith in God. Both Mary and Joseph said yes to God’s request to become active participants in Jesus’ life: Mary to carry him in her womb and Joseph to support both Mary and Jesus. From the start, they trusted in God’s plan and, despite times of fear and unknown, they continued to find joy in the birth of their son and his growth into childhood and eventually adulthood. They knew his purpose, but they focused on their faith in God and the joy they felt in being parents, like all of us, the first and foremost educators of the child Jesus.
The gift of life we have each received is something to cherish during the Christmas season when we focus on the birth of Christ. We sometimes fail to see the gifts that first Christmas brought to us and continues to bring to us each time we celebrate. What are the gifts? Love – God created us to love and loves us. He taught us that love comes at a price, but it is a gift – it fills us and sustains us. Life – the gift given to us by God, who asks us to share it with others, and he gives us eternal life. Joy – God’s love and gift of life brings us joy and a sense of peace. All these gifts are given to us freely with no price, but are priceless.
The decorations we use at Christmas are reminders of the original Christmas, yet we do not often make the connections. God’s LOVE is expressed at Christmas in our nativity scene, red bows, giving gifts, and serving one another. The gift of LIFE, which is now open to eternity, is expressed at Christmas in evergreen trees, wreaths, lights, and candles. The gift is JOY, a sense of well-being apart from life circumstances, expressed in music, angels, and bright colors.
Take the time as you decorate and plug in the lights, as you sing and light candles to take a moment to thank God for these gifts of Christmas. To thank God for the gift of the Eucharist that continues to feed us and for the gift of eternity, which will be ours when we live with faith, trust and obedience to God, who loves us beyond measure, in the same way as Mary and Joseph. Merry Christmas to all!