Media Release
Mangaluru, Jul 23: St Agnes PU College hosted a two-day transformative retreat and prayer day for all the students July 21 and 22. The retreat aimed to nurture the faith and holistic well-being of students, offering them with a unique opportunity to strengthen their spiritual life and personal growth.
The principal Sr Norine D’Souza welcomed and addressed the gathering. She emphasized on the importance of these two days as a time to pause reflect and renew oneself.
The retreat was conducted by the Live Pure team from the Missionaries for Christ (MFC) community.
Roshan Andrade and his dedicated team led a series of enlightening sessions throughout the retreat, each focusing on a distinct spiritual theme. Lavisha Castelino spoke on the 'Gift of life' inspiring students to uphold sacredness of life. This was followed by an engaging session by Carlton Lobo, who articulated that true love is an act of self-giving which is free, total, faithful, and fruitful - echoing the love of God.
The session on 'Culture of death' by Chris Crasta, shed light on the various societal and moral challenges that threaten the sanctity of life, calling out every individual to live pure and remain chaste. The final session, conducted by Amanda Monteiro, focused on the need of God’s grace for inner healing, urging the students to open their hearts to transformation and become active partakers in the divine life.
The service team, through their vibrant and spirit-filled music ministry and games created an atmosphere of joyful worship and deep reflection that resonated with the young audience.
An open Q&A session was held on both days, where team members addressed a wide array of questions posed by the students, further enhancing understanding and engagement.
The retreat concluded with a moving Holy Adoration and Eucharistic celebration, leaving the students spiritually uplifted. Sonali Shiny delivered the vote of thanks.
Two-day experience not only deepened faith in students but also built a stronger sense of community rooted in love, understanding, and God’s grace.
Thought-provoking perspectives on 'Shaping tomorrow: Decisions of today' was presented by Chaitanya and Shobha emphasizing the significance of decision-making in teen life. The discussion highlighted how choices made today impact future outcomes and opportunities, influencing areas such as education, relationships, and personal growth. By making informed and thoughtful decisions, teens can lay the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling future.
Hariet and Teena engaged students in an inspiring session titled 'Vividly you' – Don’t Just exist – express, explore, explode, inspiring students to celebrate their individuality and express themselves authentically through colours, thoughts and actions. With engaging activities and thought provoking visuals the event encouraged participants to break free from monotony and live life vibrantly. The session concluded with the powerful message ‘Add colour to my thoughts, and life will be a masterpiece’.
Sr Janet facilitated an interactive session on 'emotions' to help students understand and manage their emotions effectively, covering topics such as emotional awareness, triggers, and regulation strategies. Students gained valuable insights and practical coping mechanisms, finding the session informative and helpful. The session empowered students to navigate their emotions more effectively, promoting emotional well-being.
A motivational session by Mathew and Ashwin emphasized the importance of effort and discipline in achieving success. The key takeaway was that winners focus on making consistent efforts rather than excuses, and that small steps can lead to significant changes over time. The session highlighted the value of hard work, smart planning, and discipline, stressing that these qualities are more crucial than luck in determining outcomes.
Students participated in engaging action songs and interactive activities that fostered the sense of unity and joy making the event a memorable experience.
The event concluded on a note of hope, renewal, and collective aspiration, leaving a lasting impact on the students. Students learned to set goals, develop self-awareness, and cultivate positive habits to achieve success and create a brighter future.