Caritas South held its annual retreat at Metanoia Listening Center with Father Patrick El Alam on the question "When do you become a Christian?", followed by sharing circles and the Divine Liturgy in the grotto of Our Lady of Mantara.
The Caritas South family gathered at Metanoia Listening Center for its annual retreat, titled "When do you become a Christian?", with Father Patrick El Alam of the Maronite Diocese of Sarba, who serves at the Church of Our Lady of the Grotto in Awkar.
Father Patrick stressed the face of God and His defining quality, which is "love," and the need to accept our weakness and love God, who in turn gives us strength to overcome it.
He also highlighted that what distinguishes a Christian is sharing in Jesus' salvation of humanity by carrying the cross – that is, loving the other – and by spreading love and living joy.
The participants divided into four sharing circles, then took a short coffee break, after which they gathered and shared the conclusions of their circles with Father Patrick.
The retreat ended with the Divine Liturgy in the grotto of Our Lady of Mantara.
