Conducting a one day Retreat for school going children is no easy animation, especially if they are boys. Doing it for girls is by and large easier because it has its own trills & frills. The sisters and teachers have things under control. That’s on the high school level.

The Lenten Retreat for the ITI boys at Kurla, was organized soon after a very successful, hall packed, entertaining insightful, one of its kind annual day.

Two days after April fools day, the 3rd April, Tuesday in the Holy week, the ITI workshop stood still. Being an open to all retreat, 150 boys attended the one day intensive care spirituality programme for the soul.

150 youngsters between the age group of 16 and 20 were all ears-eyes and heart listening to Fr. Allwyn Misquitta, sdb. It was a one man show of animation (He had a youth group to help with sound & light effects). From Sacred Scriptures to down to earth life experiences of real people, from the lives of saints to sinners, from rich and famous human beings to the ordinary and the marginalized all action packed. PowerPoint presentations, interactive sessions, activity for the noontime, singing and praising the Lord in all circumstances of life. Those who came not so willingly (for all the catholic it was compulsory) benefited the most.

The beauty of this Retreat was there where youngsters not only of different ages but of varied faiths, caste and class and languages. Fr. Allwyn catered to all. He not only broke the word and made scriptures their lives journey but literally spoke in tongues, English-Hindi-Marathi and crumbs of Konkani and Tamil too. Those present were amused at his humor and street expressions. The boys felt that he was one among them who had also gone through a journey of their own. They took his message of life-growth and God to heart. This Retreat will certainly bear its fruit. The seeds of living life in abundance have been planted. The Kurla Campus will nurture them.

Congratulations!! and Thank you to Fr. Allwyn. He makes retreat animation look so easy, but we know for sure that the fruits of his skills lie behind closed doors of prayer, silence and fasting and the Father who sees in secret will reward him. Infact he is our reward.

We need more Fr. Allwyn Misquitta, sdb. We have come out of our empty tombs, Easter has begun. We wish you a Happy New Life.