By: Menchu N. Ealdama  (St. Catharines DIP)

Twenty-two candidates, including 3 from St. Catharines DIP, joined the Solo Parents Encounter (SPE) #10 which was held on May 21-22 at the La Consolata Missionaries Centre.  Fr. Dominick Mbah presided over the weekend.  The reflections and teachings he gave were complemented by the powerful testimonies given by Vicky Nisce (“Masks”), Theo Ly (“Change of Status: Parenting”) and Leonie Dolleton (“God’s Love”). The St. Catharines’ connection came in the person of our own Tellie Ferrenbach who shared on “Sharing, Caring, Bearing:  Gift of Community”.  

Fr. Dominick likened the SPE experience as the candidates’ own road to Emmaus, on which they trudged, like the two disciples, feeling defeated, discouraged, perhaps depressed, even despondent, weighed down by the “baggage” brought on by the guilt or unresolved issues stemming from a divorce or separation, or the death of a loved one.  But much like their walk on the road to Emmaus would transform the lives of the disciples, the lesson they take away from the SPE weekend can bring the candidates the peace, hope and joy which they desire.  To discover healing, Fr. Dominick exhorted them to be patient and to pray always because, like the stranger the disciples met, they are not alone.  Jesus’ abiding presence is always with them. 
 

A big component which brought so much power to the SPE weekend was the sharing the candidates did and as they shared, the “resurrection” that happened in their lives during the weekend became evident.  As Fr. Dominick happily pronounced, out of “chaos and confusion”, the weekend showed a way back to “order” because now they have come to learn that in their life’s journey, Jesus makes the same journey with them. It is as they open their hearts to Jesus that He will point them to His Word of promise in scripture that tells them that He will always stand by them, turning their despair into hope, their defeat into victory.  As they keep walking with Jesus, the road opens up to a great highway of companionship, conversation, belief and hope.  Praise be to God!