We sisters had our annual retreat in Gizo, at the Diocesan Retreat Centre called Betania, on the Gizo hills. Our two communities (from Henderson and Gizo, with also one sister of La Pieta’Congregation, based at Tetere Clinic) joined together to have one week of prayer and meditation on the Pope Francis last encyclical “Fratelli tutti” (“we are all brothers and sisters”). Fr Fhil Duaban was the preacher; he is a diocesan priest from the Philippines, but is almost five years that he is a missionary in the Diocese of Gizo.
The style of our retreat is to have one session on the theme a day, in the morning, after the Morning Prayer, followed by time of silence, personal reflection and meditation until noon time, when we have the celebration of the Holy Eucharist followed by silent lunch and again personal prayer and reflection until Evening Prayer together. During dinner we can talk and share our thoughts and inspirations of the day. Every day one sister is in charge of leading the prayers and every day we have a category to pray for: Missions, deceased sisters of our congregations, Vocations, Salesian Family and La Pieta’ Congregation. There is also a day focusing on Reconciliation and the last day is the thanksgiving to God and to each other. The catering was done by the three Life Skills teachers of the Sr Peter Training Centre, Diocesan school administrated by the Salesian Sisters of the community of Gizo.
The Betania house of prayer consists in three buildings: one conference room with a kitchen and dining hall, eight small bedrooms and a small apartment, one bungalow for the family who is taking care of the compound. Recently there had been an improvement with the building of a chapel and more bedrooms. The diocesan priests have their annual meetings with Bishop Luciano Capelli in the Centre and various parish groups have one day or overnights prayers and recollections.