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HONG KONG
FROM THE HEART
    Christian Meditation Silent Retreat
    Hong Kong: August 18-20, 2006
    Comments by Retreatants:

    Clara Baybay, St. Joseph’s Church
    “I have heard so much about meditation but I never knew that there was a tradition of Christian
    meditation.  This despite that I was born into a Catholic family and went to Catholic schools.  I think
    more Christians should know about this form of prayer because it will greatly benefit everyone’s
    spiritual growth.”

    Marietta Gube, St. Joseph’s Church
    “It was the missing link in my spiritual journey.”

    Sr. Miriam Chalco, Sisters of our Lady of the Angels
    “It is very helpful to me; gave answers to many questions concerning my inner journey.  Gave me a lot
    of insight for myself and for helping people with whom I work.”

    Stephen Tam, St. Joseph’s Church
    “For me, this is a good first intro to Christian Meditation.  Fr. Freeman was inspiring but very
    disappointed with the Mass Arrangement: way too casual, sitting, doing sacrifice on a coffee table.  
    All this when we have a chapel to use!”

    William Tsui, Cathedral
    “Thank the Lord for the inspiration and grace that I have started the spiritual journey as of Friday,
    Aug. 18, 2006.  Pray for me that I will continue the journey till the day I meet Jesus in heaven”.

    Victoria Kwan, HK Sheung Kung Hui (from the Anglican Church)
    “Very stimulating talk by Fr. Freeman giving me clear understanding of Christian Meditation.  A lot to
    reflect on this weekend”.

    Christoper Ng, St. Bonaventure Church
    “Very clear, focused, knowledgeable and interesting presentation of our universal journey right into
    the core of being in God.  Fr. Laurence has opened my mind and heart to see the parallel between our
    spiritual journey to our pure self and the journey to self taught by Virginia Satir in her seed model.  
    Thanks and appreciation to the Organising Committee and Fr. Laurence”.

    Rachel Lee, Ricci Hall
    (who is only 10 years old and attending her first retreat!)
    “I think overall the retreat course was quite good.  I think that they should make sure the dormitories
    have a working air-conditioner because Rm. 619 did not work.  The food is very good but in the
    morning, they should give us milk or juice”.

    Joseph Lee, Ricci Hall
    “Very informative and insightful retreat.  Fr. Freeman is an expert in this area and an excellent guide
    in meditation”.

    Maggie Wong, St. Francis Parish, Ma On Shan
    “Thanks a lot for the hard work of all the volunteers to prepare this retreat.  It is very good to promote
    meditation for the lay and religious Christians.  A bit tiring to have 2 consecutive meditations in the
    morning.  Talks are inspiring.  Food is too oily and could be less in quantity”.

    Clare Lai, Our Lady of Fatima Church
    “Realised the importance of prayer – the essence of my Christian life and loving.  Prayer can be so
    simple as well as difficult because of my complexity.  The conference/teachings of Fr. Freeman are
    very dynamic and really helpful to my daily living”.

    Mavis Lo, Rosary Church Meditation Group
    “I have been practicing Christian Meditation for 2 years and have read a number of books written by
    Fr. Laurence Freeman but listening to him at this retreat has helped to “cement” all that I have
    practiced and learnt.  You can practically feel the energy flowing between him and his audience.  
    Attending one of Fr. Freeman’s talks and retreats should be a must for everyone practicing Christian
    Meditation!”

    Lina Lee, St Jude’s Mediation Group (from the Parish of Margaret’s Church)
    Never would I realize that the grace of meditation pours like rain, sieving to the inner depth of all of
    the retreatants.  It is only the work of the Spirit that this can be made possible.  So glad that this
    gathering is really `ecumenical’.  We have got priests, nuns, religions, Franciscan, Dominicans as
    Christian Ministers, faithful from 3 different Christian Churches, Catholics and non-believers!  On
    Monday morning after the retreat, I was flooded with eager calls requesting to join the weekly
    meditation groups – one of them was worried that even the meditation groups would be over-
    booked!  Hearts are indeed burning!

    Sr. Isabelle Murphy from Macau (a neighboring city from Hong Kong)
    Congratulations for the organization – Thank you for giving me the possibility of participating in such
    a rich spiritual event –

    Louise Wong, St. Margaret’s Church
    Feeling of Eureka, stumbling in something beyond expectation and immense feelings of gratitude that
    Jesus does try to show me the way to find Him.

    Stephanie Ling, St. Margaret’s Church
    For a self-centered and egoistic person like, this is a very useful prayer format, helping me to empty
    myself and accept God.  I ‘ve been praying but not hearing, because my mind is either too busy or too
    strong/arrogant to hear God’s word.  May this retreat help me to get closer to God.

    Sr Miriam Chalco F, Sisters of Our Lady of Angels
    It is very helpful to me; give answers to many interrogation concerning my own inner journey.  It gives
    me a lot of insight for me and for helping the people whom I work.

    Ng Chun Chi, Christian Minister
    I have a greater desire in reaching for silence.  I come to learn more about the history, theology and
    truth of meditation as well as practices. From the experiences and moral conduct of Fr Laurence
    Freeman and the leaders of the group, I can feel intensely the Christian meditation at a deep level.  
    Thanks so much for the loving arrangement of the members of the Christian meditation groups.  
    Once more, being able to gather together with a group who love God so much makes me feel peace,
    quiet, and true love.  Thanks to the Lord!

    Yeung Sau Chu Alison, Faculty of Education, Chinese University of Hong Kong
    My nerves are grains are revitalized – such awakening of spirit – I am most grateful!

    Sr Cheung Ngan Chau, Precious Blood Convent
    Very rich, and touches my inner heart, I am more certain that I should persevere with meditation and
    also practice in the convent, promoting it with my own example.  I suggest that silence in the retreat
    should be more reinforced as during meal times (whether at lunch or dinner), many have forgotten
    about the need for silence.

    Sr Lui Yuet Ming, Precious Blood Convent
    I feel that it is out of the gift of God that I have learnt Christian meditation.  I will promote meditation to
    others from today onwards.  It is because this is the simplest kind of prayer, taking us direct to
    Jesus, to God the Father and the Spirit. Thank you so much for your arrangements and service, May
    the Lord Bless you!

    Magdalena Leung, Holy Cross Parish
    Realized 1) Love, 2) Faith,    3) Knowing how to love and accept myself and 4) Simplicity – these are so
    important.

    Margaret Chan, Our Lady of the Start of the Sea Parish
    When people from different religions are learning and practicing meditation, everyone will be united
    as ONE.  There is no more difference among the various religions.  This retreat re-confirms the above
    message to me.  And I experience that God opens the door to me in every aspect of my life.

    Anthony Ng, Cathedral Meditation Group
    I am deeply impressed by the overall enthusiasm of the retreatants from different parishes or
    denomination.  Their full commitment during the entire retreat can be reflected by the silence they
    had maintained and readiness to take part in the practice of contemplation.

    For my own spiritual growth, I will continue to develop my awareness of living the present moment,
    the “here and now”, when I can leave the past and illusions behind (also not worry about the future)
    and live in the presence of God.  Fr. Laurence reiterated this clearly in the retreat and I know my twice
    a day mediation will surely help.

    Fr. Laurence’s talk on the Aspects of Love is really enlightening.  I never knew restoring ourselves
    could be a stepping stone to find God.  Now I know that when our relationship with God is deepened,
    then our relationship with others can also be developed spiritually.  In the end, we can reach out to all
    without distinction.  Although there were only four conferences, Fr. Laurence’s spiritual insights
    were enough for us to digest in the months to come.  I really hope we can listen to him again soon,
    may be in 2007.

    Luisa Uy, Rosary Church Mediation Group
    The weekend was really beautiful!  Personally I came out it spiritually full and my relationship with the
    Lord deepened, more in love!  My friends were likewise very thankful.  I encouraged them to attend a
    mediation group to sustain what they have learned.

    Jane Yao, Holy Cross Church
    I gained a new understanding of prayer. It is about letting go of ourselves, making us lost in God’s
    presence. It is about self-knowledge.  Prayer opens up a process of inner healing, clearing up the
    blocks that have kept us from God, from recognizing who God is.  In prayer we find ourselves and
    through loving ourselves, we are enabled to love others and eventually love God.  Contemplative
    prayer is the path to help us to consciously gain self knowledge and leads us to the centre of
    Christian life and to the Trinity.

    Sr Lucia Leung, Good Hope School (Primary Section)
    Meditation is essential to human growth.  Thanks to all organizers and may God bless you all!