Logos Rejoice Retreat for the students of grade 7 and 8, was held from 3rd September to 5th September 2019 at the Animation and Renewal Centre, Panvel, run by the Santhome Trust of the Eparchy of Kalyan. The event was organised under the banner of the Department of Catechesis, of the Eparchy of Kalyan. 180 students from across the diocese attended the retreat, which comprised of various ministries and sessions like adoration, confession, counselling, celebration of the Holy Eucharist, healing and anointing, special prayers and music ministry.
Priests from the Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales (MSFS) congregation, Rev. Fr. Anish, Rev. Fr. Bijil and Rev. Fr. Jijo, from the Charis Bhavan, Athirampuzha, Kerala; led the three days long retreat. It was coordinated under the able guidance of the Catechism Department Director Rev. Fr. Biju Mannamcheril and his team. Apart from the core committee, 10 priests from the Eparchy of Kalyan, actively participated in volunteering for the event. Around 33 lay people and teachers from across the diocese also volunteered for the three-day session.
The Catechism Department had called in 9 counsellors to carry out special counselling sessions for the students who were in need of the same. Confessions were carried out mandatorily for all students with the help of reverend priests, who were present throughout the 3 days of the retreat. “It was a very enlightening experience for all of us. We never expected to enjoy a retreat but this was good. (sic)”, said an attendee from St. George Church, Panvel. As reported by many students the retreat was spiritually upgrading and mentally uplifting. Through rejoice retreat, students grew closer to Jesus and now understand the need of confession and the healing it gives”, said one of the teachers who volunteered for the event
