“This was a most remarkable, blessed evening”

When I arrived at the retreat centre I was welcomed warmly and felt right at home. The week of juice fasting posed no problem and time flew by too quickly. The interaction with the other participants was uplifting as were the different sessions where we learned about healthy foods and not so healthy foods as well as physical, emotional and spiritual detoxification.

The retreat took place at the Immaculate Heart Retreat Centre, a large complex in serene surroundings with large, stately trees, and an abundance of wildlife wandering through the woods. Some deer came right up to the buildings.

On Wednesday night we had a meaningful worship service.

As I was the oldest of thirty participants, I was surprised how every so often someone tapped me on the shoulders in passing or gave me a friendly hug. As a group we were almost knit together as one unit.

At the sharing session on Thursday night we sat in a circle and each was encouraged to tell what the week meant for each one. When it was my turn I told them the following: When we first came here, we were strangers. Now, we are strangers no longer, we are friends, brothers and sisters. Then I told my story how I was set free from bitterness and resentment. I had asked God to forgive me, and He did. However in some wakeful hours during the nights the thought was impressed upon me that I have to go to the person against whom I harbored resentment and ask him to forgive me for these bitter thoughts toward him. This I did after some considerable time and the burden lifted and I was set free. After the session quite a few came to me and expressed their gratitude to me for sharing this as it encouraged them to set things right with someone. We closed the session with holding hands, uplifting them and sang the doxology “Praise God from Who All blessings flow, Praise him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye Heavenly host, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.” This was a most remarkable, blessed evening