Particpants in Maui’s first Family Life Retreat pose Sept. 9 for a group photo at St. Anthony Parish, Wailuku. (Photo courtesy of Brother Fred Silbereis)
Organizers were hoping for 10 families. They got more than 30. Maui’s first Family Life Retreat Sept. 9 at St. Anthony Parish in Wailuku, was an unqualified success.
The day-long, multi-age event had the participants examining four themes: affirmation, communication, forgiveness and commitment.
Each theme was introduced by a short puppet skit. The participants then broke into groups by age — adults, teens, pre-teens and little ones — each to work on projects appropriate to their years.
Each family then came back together to create a poster illustrating the themes. In the afternoon, participants watched a pantomime on forgiveness. A ritual foot-washing within each family brought some to tears. The program ended with each family showing off its poster and announcing a family resolution. Mass and supper followed. Everyone went home exhausted but satisfied and happy.
The retreat was directed by Marianist Brother Dennis Schmitz from Honolulu and Jayne Mondoy, director of the Diocesan Office of Religious Education, also from Honolulu. Several Chaminade University students helped out.
Maui’s Marianist Lay Community did the considerable prep work and logistical stuff. Among the many helping were Marianist Lay Community chairwoman Martha Haleakala, along with Kathy Shimada and Avelino and Joy Ollero.
Marianist Brother Dave Quigley helped serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Marianist Brother Tom Spring was one of the adult small group coordinators. Marianist Brother Fred Silbereis took hundreds of photos and ran errands. Father Syl Kerketta helped the little ones with their projects. The pastor, Marianist Father Roland Bunda, was also involved in a lot of ways.
Then there were the many volunteer helpers: discussion group leaders, youth leaders, people who are good with young kids, those willing to serve food and move furniture around and a crew to clean up.
