St Aloysius Gonzaga School organised a retreat for the Catholic students and a Personality Development Programme for non-catholic students of classes VIII to XII on 8th August 2025.
The retreat themed “Pilgrims of Hope” aimed to deepen students’ faith and encourage reflection on their spiritual journey. The day began with lively ice-breakers and praise-and-worship led by the Jesus Youth Team, fostering joy and togetherness. The members also conducted action songs and activities at various points throughout the day. Fr Ashwin Cardoza, Diocesan Youth Director, delivered the first talk on God’s unconditional love and our identity as His beloved children. In the second session, Fr Norman Mathias spoke on trusting God during life’s struggles, followed by a moving testimony from Ms Veronica on encountering God’s love. The afternoon session focused on spiritual healing, with confession preparation and adoration led by Fr Leston and Sch. Rudolph, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation administered by six priests. The retreat concluded with the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr Leston and a vote of thanks by Class XII student Giannah Saldanha.
As part of the Personality Development Programme, "Prerana", multiple engaging sessions were conducted to enhance self-awareness, communication, and life skills. Mr Dexter Saldanha, Mr Anil D'souza, and Mr Naveen Paul highlighted the importance of "Who Am I?" - knowing oneself, loving oneself, and connecting with God and nature. Mr Anil D'souza, Ms Daisy Kharsahnoh, and Ms Jasmine Rose provided valuable insights on "How Can I Be an Integral Individual at Home and in Society", emphasizing living in harmony, respecting, and accepting every individual. The afternoon session was led by Ms Nimmy Alex, who shared valuable insights on "Hope in the Dark: Holding onto God When Life Hurts". Ms. Jyothi Vas facilitated a session on "Are Digital Gadgets a Boon or Bane?", encouraging participants to reflect on technology's role in daily life. The sessions included ice-breaking activities and were highly interactive, motivating participants to discover their strengths, avoid assumptions, and work towards personal and professional growth. Chinnmay Sachidananda of Class XII delivered the vote of thanks.
