Cheryl’s Reflection

With God's grace, seven PAULINE COOPERATORS from Hong Kong, together with Sr Grace flew to Taiwan to attend a retreat organised by the Taiwan Pauline Cooperators. They were very warm and helpful and welcomed us with open arms.

At the retreat, we had the privilege of listening to a Jesuit priest. Fr Tsang, who speaks Mandarin, English and Cantonese.. Father told us that we need to know the real truth before we can evangelise. He warned us of the danger of spreading the false truth and misleading people away from Christ. Jesus came and told us the truth and He said that the truth will set us free. Are we set free? Have we "let go" as many of the retreatants hoped for during the weekend? Sr Ida talked about our spiritual formation and the basis is the Word of God. She helped us to recommit ourselves to Jesus by writing to Him and to resolve in our own small ways to lead a spiritual life in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

God is so good. Despite the small earthquake, flash flood, approaching typhoon, and rainy season, we managed to have a wonderful time. I am still reminiscing the past week as it had left a sweet sweet taste in my mouth. Praise the Lord for the week of great food, rest, fun, friendship, but most of all, in deepening my relationship with HIM. I have learnt much, especially to keep my opinions to myself. After the retreat we made a tour of Hualien. The whole group was very accommodating and patient and we were able to travel in harmony. We put into practice what we had learnt at the retreat and it was so wonderful to have Sr Grace's reminder to pray and give thanks at all meals, big and small. We even had so much time to share our thoughts, feelings and experience at supper time.

I am very grateful to God and to all who have made this trip possible. I am all recharged to serve Him more humbly and with a new perspective. I am going to be more serious in my spiritual formation and walk with Jesus. Lastly, I look forward to more of such trips!

Goretti’s Reflection

I thank the Holy Spirit of God for inspiring me to join the Retreat in Taiwan where I could also meet and get to know our brothers and sisters, the other Pauline Cooperators from Taiwan. They are so fervent and kind. I felt a wonderful and rich unity among us.

I thank God for arranging this quiet and peaceful surrounding to help us reflect and

examine our own life with its joys and sorrows which I can offer to God. The preacher’s talks were moving and inspiring. In the silence of my heart I listened to God’s Word and made my reflections. The sharing of the others also moved me very much. Even the film shown at the end of the first day made a big impact on me. I cried three times.

This was the Retreat’s high point for me. It made me know God more and enhanced my spiritual life. I discovered that life has beauty and Truth. This makes life more meaningful.

Thanks to Sr Grace for organizing this spiritual journey for us. At the Retreat we lived

together in mutual acceptance and care, and we thank A Chum and Dominic’s brotherly concern for us. I experienced deeply the creative love of God’s Word which is poured into the life of our brothers and sisters. We need the spirit of mutual love so we can offer ourselves again.

Our love-filled journey ended smoothly and joyfully, After our return home we still recall the memorable spiritual journey and we look forward to another occasion to enjoy walking with the Lord in happiness.

Maria’s Reflection

On 8th July, Sr Grace Lee, our spiritual guide and we, seven Pauline Cooperators, flew to Taiwan to attend the “3-Day Combined Retreat for East Asia Regional Pauline Cooperators”.

At the Airport, we were met by Sr Tecla Lin and her brother John, also a Pauline Cooperator. They took us to the Daughters of St Paul’s convent, where we were enthusiastically welcomed by Sr Ida and the community there. After some delicious snacks and water-melons, we toured the convent. Besides the sisters’ living quarters, there was a big storage room, a workshop and a very big and quiet garden with beautiful fruit trees. There was also a chapel where we went in and prayed.

Next, we set off to the Retreat House in Taoyuan. We were allocated double rooms with attached bathrooms. At dinner we met the other Pauline Cooperators from Taichung and Taipei. Later we had a formal self-introduction, and we wrote our wishes and expectations on a poster.

The second day of our Retreat, Father Augustine Tsang talked to us about spreading the Good News. We must pray more and keep a close relationship with God. We should preach our faith through our examples and life witness. Father Tsang led us through sessions of meditation, sharing, Taizéprayers and Reconciliation. For me, it was a perfect day.

On Sunday, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, we were told that we can gain a “plenary indulgence” – God’s gift to us. That day, Sr Rosa Teng explained to us the Pauline Spirituality and Mission. We also shared our life-experiences. We were so touched by some life stories that tears ran down our faces. Finally, we went to the chapel to adore the Eucharist. We offered all our joy, sorrow and hopes to Jesus and asked our merciful Father to be with us always.

“Can’t hear though I have ears, can’t speak though I have a mouth” sums up my feelings

about the retreat. It is because I cannot speak Mandarin. However, I have learned to “bear all things,believe all things, hope all things, endure all things” and become one with the Pauline Family in heart and spirit. I will live up to the expectations of a Pauline Cooperator. I will spread the Good News with my actions and through collaborating with other Pauline Cooperators.

Sylvia’s Reflection

First I want to thank all the organizers for their many efforts to run the Retreat smoothly despite the difficulties of an earthquake and a typhoon.

I joined this Retreat with a great desire to humbly learn from the invaluable teachings of the Jesuit preacher and to share experiences with those senior Catholics who have become resolute believers.

Fr Tsang taught us how to praise God for his kindness, for giving us the ability to judge good and evil, the power of endurance and the boundless love of Jesus. The priest also reminded us to have a penitent heart, to repent of our sins and shortcomings so that our soul may be purged and we can become children of God. He also showed us how to communicate with God and receive his support in our times of difficulties.

The quiet and peaceful environment at the Retreat helped me to hear all these words which enlightened me. My mind seemed clear and my troubles vanished. I felt I was flying into open space with a joyful heart. I was so relaxed and my body had a marvelous feeling which I never felt before.

I tried to meditate on God, on his goodness and his omnipotence. It was as if I was sitting next to him and hearing him speak. I praised his creation with the powerful sun and the seasons appearing in sequence and the planet system which sustains all terrestrial creatures.

I thank God for helping me realize that true joy and spiritual life can live together. This is the outcome of my Retreat experience and I am certain that this is true.

Dominic’s Reflection

I felt very blessed to have made the 3-day Retreat in Taiwan. It was amazing. There I rediscovered my value as a person perfectly loved by God. This is my reflection based on my discovery.

I know all Christians are called to bring the Good News to everyone, but I do not have the confidence to preach the Word of God to others especially to non-believers. However, from the talks of Fr Tsang I understand that we must know the real Truth and live it, so we can glorify God. He warned us of the three obstacles to live the truth – egoism or self-centeredness, the devil and secularism.

We realize how self-centered we are. Even in our service to others we are inclined to desire being acknowledged for what we do. But we cannot do anything without the grace of God. Sometimes things happen not in the way we wish, so instead of feeling annoyed , I can trust in the Lord and his unconditional love will set me free from this distress and give me peace.

Sr Ida said that reading the Gospel is the foundation of our spiritual life, for the Word of God helps our soul find happiness in a personal contact with God. At the Retreat we filled up a Spiritual Plan which will help me in my spiritual life.

The Sharing of life experience was most impressive. I was deeply moved by Paul’s sharing. He related how his only son passed away at age 14. He was absolutely devastated by this sorrow but the Lord did not abandon him. With Sr Ida’s help, he has now recovered from his loss.

It is amazing for me to realize how we walk this journey of faith. I will put complete trust in the Lord who directs my life and strengthens me with courage and hope, and gives me joy even in hardships, so to glorify him. Concluding, I want to thank heartily Sr Ida and Sr Grace for their support and advice, and to all the Taiwan Pauline Cooperators for the successful and well-prepared Retreat. May God bless them and I pray for them. Now I look forward to another retreat either in Macau or Hong Kong next year.

Cheryl’s Reflection

With God's grace, seven PAULINE COOPERATORS from Hong Kong, together with Sr Grace flew to Taiwan to attend a retreat organised by the Taiwan Pauline Cooperators. They were very warm and helpful and welcomed us with open arms.

At the retreat, we had the privilege of listening to a Jesuit priest. Fr Tsang, who speaks Mandarin, English and Cantonese.. Father told us that we need to know the real truth before we can evangelise. He warned us of the danger of spreading the false truth and misleading people away from Christ. Jesus came and told us the truth and He said that the truth will set us free. Are we set free? Have we "let go" as many of the retreatants hoped for during the weekend? Sr Ida talked about our spiritual formation and the basis is the Word of God. She helped us to recommit ourselves to Jesus by writing to Him and to resolve in our own small ways to lead a spiritual life in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

God is so good. Despite the small earthquake, flash flood, approaching typhoon, and rainy season, we managed to have a wonderful time. I am still reminiscing the past week as it had left a sweet sweet taste in my mouth. Praise the Lord for the week of great food, rest, fun, friendship, but most of all, in deepening my relationship with HIM. I have learnt much, especially to keep my opinions to myself. After the retreat we made a tour of Hualien. The whole group was very accommodating and patient and we were able to travel in harmony. We put into practice what we had learnt at the retreat and it was so wonderful to have Sr Grace's reminder to pray and give thanks at all meals, big and small. We even had so much time to share our thoughts, feelings and experience at supper time.

I am very grateful to God and to all who have made this trip possible. I am all recharged to serve Him more humbly and with a new perspective. I am going to be more serious in my spiritual formation and walk with Jesus. Lastly, I look forward to more of such trips!