By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye,
Most Rev. John Oke’Òghènè Afareha of Warri Diocese has urged priests in the Catholic Diocese of Warri to avail themselves the opportunity to achieve the spiritual benefits that accompanies every retreat organised.
He gave the charge during the 2020 Annual Priests Retreat held at the Jubilee Hotel, Retreat and Resort Centre, Effurun, Delta State.
Most Rev. Afareha who welcomed all the priests and religious working in the Diocese of Warri, thanked God for the gift of life in the New Year and graces given to function effectively in the priestly ministry, and called on the priests to ensure they participate wholeheartedly without distraction. He called for perfect vision in discerning the will of God and striving to live out the missionary mandate entrusted to the priest by God through the church.
The 2020 annual priests retreat was directed by Very Rev. Fr. Sylvanus Anamali, a Spiritual Theologian from the Diocese of Warri and it lasted from January 20 to January 25th, 2020.
The annual priests retreat is a time set aside for the priests to have private prayers, brief rest, recollections and renewal of priestly commitment and also a time to have a total reunion with the bishop of the diocese in whose priestly ministry they all share.