Clergy Retreat.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XII, Issue 12, 1 June 1922, Page 375

Clergy Retreat.

(Coritfibuted).'

The Retreat for the. clergy .of Hawke's Bay was 'held at Woodfprd House Schoplfrom May 15th to l9th;

A retreat means getting away from the world, and turning 1 the mind and affections towards. God ;and "heavenly; things; silence isi kept except during, the seven services each day. Even during meals one of the number reads to the 1 rest. No newspapers or letters are received. Addresses are giyten by the 'conductor ; the rest of the time is given to prayer, medita- r tion and devotional reading. It. is not an etfsy time, if the' Members iry^ to 4niake iKe "itiosfr X&tii '■'■■'■ ".' 'X -

This was a perfect ■ retreat irv perfect surroundings, and. was .very ably conducted by Qanoh Maclean, but there' were only seven, cley^^s^nt, which goes to show how few seem to realise the importance of that side of the work The result -is ; tfratttlie parishes" must suffeiv In some- dioceses the' Roman Ghiurch ordejcs; ,/all its clergy into retreat once. a year? for a fortnight; the churches ; ar^; closed for one Sunday. Surely /this; is ■ right when we realise that : the Ghurch is n6t a businesSi concernj, buta spiritual society to bring men; istt ; the joy and spiritual life i m CErist^ through which alone they can : cbnr. querthe worid, the flesh and- c jbE& devil. The clergy 1 may : make -business successes of their < panshes, '. but; they cannot lead ; people tighter • iiij that spiritual life, until ,they " have, gone ahead themselves. In-the ,bu¥y life of a parish and of a yicarage,j the spirtiual life do.es not get a f proper chance; • hence. the need of retreats. . ,•'•:'