[Fr.Peduru jeevaraj]

The Annual Diocesan Priests Retreat was held from 17th ~ 22nd February at Monte Fano, Ampitiya in Kandy. There were 29 participants including His Lordship Rt. Rev. Joseph Ponniah.
This Retreat was an opportunity for the Priests of the Batticaloa Diocese to fulfill their obligation in Canon Law to grow in their faith to shepherd the sheep in the fold. Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Fernando, OMI conducted a very spiritual prayer and reflection sessions and also emphasized the need to grow in priestly solidarity and fellowship with the other priests of our Diocese.
Following the Annual Diocesan Retreat is a very important criteria in the life of a priest. It gives the Priests to reflect on the past, meditate, pray, re-charge and plan his life as a Shepherd to his flock. It also gives us a time to go to the mountain as Jesus did to have a relationship with God the Father, where we deepen our spirituality with Our Father.
His Lordship, Bishop Joseph Ponniah led the priests to pray the Liturgy of the Hours and Holy Mass was celebrated each day. A time of personal prayer and reflection was also conducted wherein the Priests were able to experience the Lord during this time.
On the last day, His lordship addressed the priests in different important points such as unity of priests, exemplary life, simple life style, knowing our own flock, building up communities, self discipline and proper liturgy. He invited all the priests to build up the new diocese.
Apart from the spiritual side, the Priests were able to enjoy the cool climate of the hill country which we enjoyed when we were Seminarians some years back.