Marist Comprehensive College, Nteje

The retreat of the staff of the Marist Comprehensive college, Nteje,took place on 13th January,2012. The staff retreat was animated by Br. Elias Iwu. The theme of the retreat was "Good Example and Constance Presence".

The reflection commenced with gospel reading from the book of Mt.5:1-12 and from the extract which told a story of a mother, child and a holy man. The extract according to Br. Elias explains the need for constancy presence with our students. He explained that our lives should be a good example to others. We should be careful on the judgment we pass on to our students because sometimes we are victims of the same offence. He challenged the staff that a good life worthy of emulation should not elude them.

The holy man from the story Br. Elias told us could not attend to the poor child brought to him for eating and stealing sweet from his neighbors because he was a culprit himself. Therefore, we should be careful when we judge others.

Br. Elias reminded us that we are the members of the Marist family and should take active participation in the activities of the province and Institute. We have a duty to help the young people in our midst in other to achieve their goals in life. He emphasized that God rewards us directly or indirectly for the good work we do for the growth of the Institute.

Br. Elias urged us to try and impart good moral behaviors on our students. While eulogizing the sacrifices the staff make, he told us that God will surely bless us in our life endeavours. He challenged us to take into consideration the distinctive Marist style of education which comprises: Presence, simplicity, family spirit, Love of work and In the way of Mary when dealing with the students.

The staff asked a lot of questions and Br. Elias answered them to their satisfaction.

After the retreat, the principal, Br. Venatius Okey Anochie thanked Br. Elias Iwu for availing himself to moderate the retreat to the staff and thanked him for the good job well done.
About seventy staff attended the retreat.

Immediately after the retreat, everybody proceeded to the chapel for the requiem Mass of one of the students, late Toochukwu Chima, who died on 27th December,2011.

_____________
Mr. Ozor Rufus onbehalf of the staff of Marist Comprehensive College, Nteje, Province of Nigeria.