The Diocesan Women's Retreat was held this year on 13/04 at the Co-Cathedral of Our Lady of Hungary in Nyíregyháza, led by Dr. Miklós Papp, a moral theologian and Greek Catholic pastor.
Bishop Ferenc Palánki of Debrecen-Nyíregyháza also participated in the gathering and celebrated Holy Mass after the two presentations. Father Miklós Papp supplemented his thoughts on the feminine being, articulated in his two presentations, with his meditation delivered during Holy Mass.
Below, you can read the report on the Women's Retreat by Irén Horváth-Bócsi, head of institution at Saint Anne Catholic Primary School in Nyírtelek.
On Saturday, 13/04, our diocesan bishop, Father Ferenc Palánki, invited us to an extraordinary event. Ladies from the parishes and institutions of the Debrecen-Nyíregyháza Diocese arrived in Nyíregyháza at the Co-Cathedral of Our Lady of Hungary for a women's retreat. At the invitation of our diocesan bishop, Dr. Miklós Papp, a moral theologian and Greek Catholic parish priest, delivered an exceptional presentation on a very profound yet easily digestible and humour-infused topic in an engaging style.
What else could be at the centre of a women's spiritual exercise if not WOMAN, in capital letters? We found justification for having done well by reorganizing many of our affairs to choose this event for the weekend. Before Father Miklós's interactive presentation, we prayed under the guidance of István Németh, episcopal secretary, followed by the welcoming words of Bishop Ferenc Palánki.
It may be common in a church for there to be silence and focused, profound attention, sometimes a small smile during a sermon, but for those sitting in the pews to burst out laughing is quite unusual.
Many things could be read from the faces: reflection on our own lives, the recognition of self-identity, reassurance in certain matters, facing our shortcomings/weaknesses, the recognition of our dreams/desires, reaffirmation in our decisions, and overcoming our fears.
Father Miklós also presented the examples of female figures from the Bible. He emphasised that
every woman should be a 'Marian woman', who passively surrenders to God's will, then actively cooperates with God!
Let us be like the myrrh-bearing women, who can remain faithful even in difficult situations!
Let us be the 'apostle to the apostles' like Mary Magdalene, let us hear God when He speaks to us in His personal voice!
Let us have our own Gospel, entrusted to us by the Risen Christ!
We learned about the Wellness Well-being wheel, during the rotation of which Father Miklós imparted further valuable thoughts, insights, and teachings. Among other things, he drew our attention to the parallel between home and garden, to flowers as 'remnants of the Garden of Eden', and to the importance of care and beauty.
The female body also received a different interpretation during the presentation. Grooming and culturedness, as messengers of joy, were given a new guise. But when we serve the body, we also acquire wounds. We must not forget that our body is sacred! We cannot do just anything with it, and let us never forget that our great wounds are always encircled by great love!
One of the most striking moments of the presentation was when Father Miklós reassured the women, wives, and girls present that 'me-time' is important, which we dedicate to ourselves for the beautification and strengthening of our body and soul.
In his presentation, Father Miklós imparted his valuable thoughts to us, drawing on humour, experience, wisdom, insight, knowledge, and faith. The women's handbag on the occasion of the 'glamour days' was filled with valuable, readily available reinforcing 'treasures': Love with a generous heart! Grace does not evaporate! God comes for us at our lowest point! Lord, how shall we do this together? God is all! In the evening breeze, God walks with people! I am loved here!
The presentations were followed by a pontifical Holy Mass and a reception. The male members of the parish, acting as hosts, kindly entertained the hundreds of participants.
Gratitude and thanks to the organisers who worked for the success and realisation of the women's spiritual exercise! May God bless their lives and their continued service!
We will soon provide a more detailed report on Father Miklós Papp's presentation.
Photo: György Kardos
Irén Horváth-Bócsi
Head of Institution – Saint Anne Catholic Primary School, Nyírtelek
Joyful News Press Office/Diocese of Debrecen-Nyíregyháza