Page 15 - The Old Ratcliffian 2012

The Old Ratclifan 2012 | IntroductionThe Old Ratclifan 2012 | Events The Ratcliffian Association Retreat Friday 13th – Sunday 15th April 2012 “Finding Calm in a Storm” led by Bishop John Arnold, former President of the Association The prospect of having a special Old Ratcliffian, Bishop John Arnold (71), to lead us in “Finding Calm in a Storm” proved to be a great success. He involved us in considering Easter Week (of which we were still within the octave) with a good deal of spiritual thoughts and observations which were as uplifting as they were informative. Jackie Bennett’s excellent organisation and her warm joint welcome with Fr David Tobin (59) put the twenty-five participants very much at ease. Those who chose to be resident over the weekend appreciated their secure accommodation in the Girls’ Boarding Area and the exercise required to climb three flights of stairs was most necessary in view of the generous and delicious meals provided by the School’s smiling catering staff. Good quality wine was also provided - without restriction! Friday Conference Bishop John led us to consider the first three aspects of Easter: Christ’s adulatory reception on Palm Sunday, the joyous and heady prospects of Maundy Thursday’s Passover/Last Supper, followed by the despair and rejection of the Apostles at Christ’s prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane with His subsequent Crucifixion on Good Friday. Chapel of the Immaculate Conception Saturday Morning Prayer We were reminded of God’s love for all of us, which is suggested that there was a need to vary the manner of our everlasting even when we are unaware of its existence. prayerful conversations with God and these could perhaps be considered as a ‘chat with God’. We were reminded Saturday Morning Conference that, whilst we may be searching for Him, God is searching Following a reference to our tendency to clutter up our days for us. There is a great need for our silent contemplation so with relatively unimportant matters, Bishop John asked that we may be able to listen to (and hopefully understand) us to consider the last, fourth, and most important part of what God has to say. Easter - Christ’s Glorious Resurrection, celebrated on Easter Sunday. Being uplifted by these thoughts, everybody remained well past their bedtime in considering many other aspects of Saturday Second Conference church and spiritual matters, including reversions to the The consequential Christian communities and their need subject of prayer, both praying for others and praying in for growth were reflected upon with reference to St Paul’s community with others. Further considerations included conversion on the road to Damascus, his subsequent the good works, the world-wide influence of CAFOD and and many Letters to the Romans, Thessalonians, and CARITAS. Following on, a discussion ensued on the shame Corinthians (illustrating different perspectives of each of paedophilic priests with the involvement and actions branch of the Church) and the ‘Acts of the Apostles’. Our of their Bishops. However, the excellent Nolan Report meeting ended with Bishop John’s exhortation to us all to and the subsequent Cumberlege Report had provided be ‘Ambassadors for Christ’, a challenging and privileged good procedures for the Church in England and Wales status in respect of which we all have an essential part to which were applauded. It was recognised that victims play. and survivors of abuse require a special pastoral care and The Rosmini Way of the Cross Procession we cannot be complacent. Then the Eucharist and taking Whilst inclement weather made this impossible, the communion with Anglicans were both considered. With the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary was said in the Side approach of midnight, there was a reluctance to leave, and Chapel and on Sunday morning, a number of participants some remained until the early morning hours! followed the Way of the Cross in brisk sunshine to the Conclusion adjacent Rosminian Prayer Centre, prior to attending the We were all uplifted by our retreat attendance. The second of two Masses during the weekend. communal and personal reflective times spent in prayer, Saturday Forum explanation and contemplation were a great success. In This began at 8.30pm after dinner in the comfort of the particular, we left with Bishop John’s refreshing summation settees of the Sixth Form Girls’ Common Room. Bishop of Holy Week in our minds and with his ‘call to action’ to John led us to consider aspects of prayer in that it was be ‘Ambassadors for Christ’ our clear responsibility! a ‘recognition that we are all in the presence of God’. He John Plumb (53) 15 Register online at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uknline at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uk Register o 15