On May 19th the Salesian Cooperators organised a retreat day for all Cooperators centres in the South. They gathered about fifty participants, who spent some time reflecting on the Strenna theme of holiness for you.

The talks were given by Fr David O'Malley, picking out two of the five aspects of holiness identified by Pope Francis in his encyclical Gaudete et Exultate: Gentleness and boldness. Reflecting on the experience of Don Bosco, Mother Teresa and Sean Devereux, these qualities were explored at a personal and a Salesian level.

During the day, there was also time for quiet adoration before the blessed sacrament and time to share lunch and pray the rosary in a variety of different ways. The day ended with a mass especially in memory of Fr John Ashton, who died recently, and was always a great supporter of the cooperators. During the mass, Fr David spoke about John as a priest for the playground, a priest who was present, and someone who prayed through all his engagement with people.

Many of the Chertsey group will leave for Lourdes on May 24th and promised to take with them the intentions of all the Salesians in Great Britain.

Photo: Sylvia Mist and Annabel Clarkson at the Cooperators' event