Different days

Family Easter retreats where parents and children have their own space to revitalize faith: the “Spring Harvest” is a very popular initiative held in Great Britain. It is a major ecumenical gathering that each year brings together for about three weeks forty five thousand Christians of different denominations in a large amusement park located in Minehead, South of England, and in Skegness in the North. A smaller Catholic retreat is held in the Benedictine Worth Abbey, South of England, where each Easter an association of lay faithful organizes a holiday for families. Silvia Guzzetti interviewed for SIR Europe Gabrielle Remedios, Benedictine oblate, and Helen Reilly, assiduous Spring Harvest attendant, who personally experienced these holidays. Gabrielle, how many people are there in your Benedictine lay community? “About two hundred. Five of us usually are in charge of organising the Easter holiday. We cover our own expenses and usually also those of the speakers whom we invite to address a number of relevant themes. In the past years we rented a camping run by a Pentecostal association that has a caravan, a chalet and a gym. There are moments devoted to communal prayers, such as the morning prayer, which are based on those of the monastic order, along with debate sessions for adults and for children attended by a monk, who also celebrates the Mass. Children were also involved in the preparations for the Easter vigil who availed themselves of drawings and handcrafted objects. Older children devoted themselves to the Via Crucis and wrote the prayers for the different Stations”. What’s the difference with a Holy Week spent in a parish Church? “It’s a completely different experience, since during the retreat we are dedicated to Easter from Thursday to Monday. During the retreat there is space and time to concentrate and meet other families of our age, with whom we share similar – albeit different – experiences and problems. Here we meet as young families who wish to raise questions regarding faith. But at the same time it’s very important that children meet with other children and explore Christianity at their own level”. Helen Reilly, you attended the Spring Harvest in Skegness for four years running. What do you cherish from this experience? “Each time I was enriched with different experiences that I carried with me for the rest of the year. The past years’ theme was «the apprentice», which explored the significance of being the Apostle of Jesus. There were proposals for the entire family, for children, adolescents, married couples and singles, and this is quite remarkable. Traditional meetings based on the Bible and other meetings with experts in family problems were enriched by meetings that made large use of the media, music and skilled dance activities. I recall a large screen, on the top of a hill, connected to music that inspired the drawings we were encouraged to make. It had an evocative charm. I used to go there every evening to relax and feel closer to God”. Which activities are scheduled during the day? “There’s always something to do, but it’s also possible to do nothing since there is a pool, the sea, bowling and other recreational activities. The day proceeds smoothly even of one in the couple is religious and the other is not. There was also useful material on display for whoever wished to find a job or material that was addressed specifically to teachers and educators. It was an important experience for me since it helped me reflect on my own life and strengthen my faith. Specific areas are devoted to very young children, aged three or younger. This enables adults to concentrate on what they are doing without having to worry about looking after their children. Every time I felt very privileged in being able to attend this gathering. It has been a comforting and enriching experience”.