Tabgha Retreats 2005

If we bring to Christ our meagre gifts and talents, Christ is faithful to multiply them to meet any need we face.

Each of the Year 12 Pastoral Care Groups has now participated in the Tabgha Retreat. The theme of the Tabgha Retreat is ?transformation?. As our young men stand on the threshold of young adult life, they are encouraged to formulate a personal answer to Jesus? question: ?But who do you say I am??

Where does the name TABGHA come from?

Tabgha is the traditional site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes and is situated near the north-eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, 2.5 kilometres south of Capernaum, and some 12 kms north of Tiberius. The name ?Tabgha? is an Arabic contraction of the Greek Heptapegon (the place of the seven springs). Several springs still flow in this area, which is also associated with the teaching of the Beatitudes and the confirmation of the primacy of Peter.

During the retreat students had an opportunity to identify their own unique gifts given to them by God. They were able to express themselves in a variety of creative ways, using balloons, pipe cleaners and beads. Apart from the fun, these exercises enabled the boys to take some time to think about themselves, their lives and their faith. They then had an opportunity to share their stories with their peers.

The fish symbol was used extensively during the retreat because the story of the multiplication of the loaves and fish is at the heart of Tabgha. Fish play a major role in the gospels and it became the symbol for Christianity in the early church, (itchthus).

This Retreat, the last retreat for many, challenged each boy to think about the road ahead and encouraged them to become a modern day disciple; to put their trust in God?s promise to be with them always, yes, to the end of time.

Images from the retreat »