On a journey together at Belfast Pastoral Centre

The Pastoral Centre in Belfast is up and running with a busy start again this year. The team has enjoyed facilitating retreats for Year 8 (11/12 year olds), Year 11 (14/15 year olds) Year 12 (15/16 year olds) and Year 14 (17/18 year olds) students.

The young people often arrive apprehensive but soon settle in to have a relaxing day of reflection. During their time with us we explore faith, experience prayer and chat about ways to live a life of service in their families and communities.

Together we celebrate life and the good we do for others, we challenge ourselves to broaden our horizons, to think outside the box and to strive to be the person God has created us to be. We are all on this journey together, and together we encourage, support and give life to each other.

At the end of each day we ask the young people to write a comment on their experience. Here is an example of what they say:

·         The group work was fun and interesting and better than I expected.

·         I enjoyed the meditation and self- reflection.

·         I enjoyed the letter activity. I think it is a good practice and look forward to receiving mine

·         I enjoyed the whole experience. The meditation and prayer service were my favourite.

·         I will remember the scripture work as I realised how to turn my eyes to those who are less fortunate.

·         I enjoyed the self-reflection, and how to put it into practise in my life, also all the fun that we had.

·         I enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and the activities we completed.

·         I would like to remember all the kind things people wrote about me. It felt really nice and it was enjoyable to write about others, especially people you don’t normally speak to.

·         I will remember the importance of self-reflection and taking a short time to collect my thoughts.

·         Today I learned that God is with us at all times.

·         I loved the time I needed to relax and have personal time with God.

·         I enjoyed the football and the prayer service because the service taught us about God and the football was fun.