The signature Four-Step Retreat preached by lay leader brother Lalith Perera will be held on the first weekend in February at St Francis Xavier, Berwick Campus.
Brother Lalith has been invited by Sale Bishop Patrick O’Reagan and under the patronage of Canberra Archbishop Christopher Prowse.
Archbishop Prowse has noted that the Four Step Retreat conducted by the Community of the Risen Lord (CRL) headed by Brother Lalith has been a moment of encounter with the Holy Spirit in the spiritual lives of so many people around the world.
Several testimonies have been given at previous CRL retreats from several states in Australia and overseas.
Julian and Dina Michael from Melbourne shared this testimony.
“Our son’s hand was paralysed and he hadn’t a full night’s sleep in two years. At the end of the retreat he had gained full use of his hand and started to sleep through the night.”
Ashan De Zoysa from Brisbane said: “For 16 years, I suffered from severe headaches and had to be hospitalised every two to three months.
“I was addicted to a life of partying, drinking and smoking.
“During this retreat and amazing peace, joy and happiness entered my life.
“My headaches are drastically reduced. I haven’t touched alcohol, marijuana or cigarettes since.”
Discovering the Holy Spirit is the theme of the weekend retreat and daily talks from 7-12 February in Melbourne. He is scheduled to preach in Brisbane and Sydney as well.
The highlight of his mission in Melbourne is the Four Steps Retreat at St Francis Xavier, Berwick Campus, from Saturday 11 February from 1.30pm to 7pm, and Sunday 12 February from 10am to 5pm.
The scriptural basis for the theme is 2 Corinthians 3:17 that states: “For the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Archbishop of Hobart Julian Porteous said: “Bringing Catholics to a revitalisation of their faith is a very important part of the mission of the Church at this time in countries like Australia.
“St John Paul II spoke of this as the ‘New Evangelisation’.
“The Four Step Retreat is a presentation of the basic message of the Gospel in an attractive way which has been proven as an effective expression of the new evangelisation,” Archbishop Porteous said.
Audrey and LP Seow from Brisbane said of a previous retreat: “Brother Lalith’s humorous and down-to-earth presentation of Gospel truths captured the attention of all of us who were present at the retreat.
“His presentation was simple but deep and practical.
“Not only were we able to better understand the Gospel message but we were also inspired to live it fully.”
Moderator of the Missionaries of God’s Love Fr Ken Barker described the Four Step Retreat as a unique opportunity for Catholics to encounter more deeply with the Risen Lord in a personal way and to open themselves more fully to the action of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
“Anyone who participates in this retreat will not be disappointed. It helps bring faith alive, arouses hope, and stirs up a new fire of love in the heart. “I heartily recommend it,” Fr Barker said.
There will be four talks in the lead up to the weekend retreat from 7 February to 10 February daily from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
On Thursday 9 February the topic of his talk is Discovering a New Life With the Fruits of the Holy Spirit and it will be held at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, 496 Princes Highway, Narre Warren.
Opening Yourself to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit will be the final topic on Friday 10 February at St Michael’s Parish, 119 High Street, Berwick.
Contact Hashika De Silva on 0415 737 154 or 8786 7509 for further details.
