"CALLED...GIFTED...SENT FORTH" 2016 ANNUAL RETREAT (incl. PAST TESTIMONIES BY FRIENDS OF DIVINE)

In about a month's time from 24 -29 July 2016, the CALLED...GIFTED...SENT FORTH 2016 Annual Retreat & Formation for Priests, Religious & Lay Leaders in Ministry will be conducted in Divine Retreat Centre. This retreat has transformed and converted the hearts of many who are serving in our Lord's vineyard. It is a blessed ocassion to commit yourself to a time set apart for Jesus - to allow Jesus to speak to your heart.

Is this retreat meant for you? If you are serving the Lord or want to serve the Lord whether it is in a church ministry or in a call God has placed in your heart, then it is meant for you. It is a special grace to come and experience in a personal tangible way how to answer God's Call and to truly serve Him with all your heart.

Is daily and ministry life so busy that I have no time to experience a personal retreat?

Am I busy ministering to others but have no time for Jesus to minister to 
my heart, my mind, my soul?

What is my Call from God - how am I answering His Call? 

Am I listening to what God wants of me NOT what I want to do for God?

Is my ministry bcoming burdensome, dry and rife with politics...just a routine?

Is there prayer, reflection, humility  and discernment in how I live for Jesus each day??

Is there joy, peace and love in my ministry?

If any of the above quesions has touched a chord in your heart, this Divine Annual CALLED ...GIFTED SENT FORTH 2016 Retreat & Spiritual Formation for Priests, Religious & Lay Leaders in Ministry is an anointed time of Grace to sit, listen, be renewed and empowered at the Feet of Jesus!

Many have asked what is the retreat all about. Come with an open heart and God touches each person in a unique and blessed way. Below are three (3) beautiful testimonies of Friends of Divine based in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong who have attended this retreat previously. We praise and thank God for touching their lives in a blessed way!

REBECCA POO, Singapore: PERSONAL TESTIMONY - Called...Gifted...Sent Forth 2012 

MOLLY CHAN, Malaysia: MY UNPLANNED JOURNEY TO DIVINE-Called...Gifted...Sent Forth 2014

CAROLINE KWAUK, Hong Kong: AN UNEXPECTED GIFT FROM GOD- Called...Gifted...Sent Forth 2014

The upcoming retreat is conducted by Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C., Director, Divine Retreat Centre, Rev. Fr. Jacob Arimpur, Asst. Director, Divine Retreat Centre, Steve Ray - renowned Catholic Apologetic (USA), Lalith Perera - Community of the Risen Lord (Sri Lanka), Colin Calmiano - Spread Your Wings-Leadership Institute, (Bangalore) and other gifted preachers and music ministry leaders

Please join us to pray for a truly anointed and joyous experience for all the retreatants!

IN GOD's SERVICE - DIVINE's SPECIAL 2013 ANNUAL RETREATS

DIVINE'S ANNUAL RETREAT & FORMATION FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP OF PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS & LAY LEADERS IN MINISTRY 21 - 26 JULY 2013 DIVINE'S ANNUAL INNER HEALING RETREAT FOR PRIESTS 22 - 27 SEPTEMBER 2013

It is the YEAR OF FAITH -  is your vocation or ministry thriving in the Abundance of God’s Grace?

Are you truly experiencing God in your ministry and in your life?

Are you bringing a God-experience to others through your ministry?

Have you taken the time to sit at the Feet of Jesus and listen to Him to guide and empower you? 

“We must revive in ourselves the burning conviction of Paul, who cried out: 

"Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel" (1 Cor 9:16)…This passion will not fail to stir in the Church a new sense of mission, which cannot be left to a group of "specialists" but must involve the responsibility of all the members of the People of God. Those who have come into genuine contact with Christ cannot keep Him for themselves, they must proclaim Him. A new apostolic outreach is needed, which will be lived as the everyday commitment of Christian communities and groups…Let us go forward in hope!”

-Blessed Pope John Paul II

Listen to your heart and respond to God’s gentle invitation! 

Come and be a part of...

DIVINE's RETREAT & FORMATION FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP of Priests, Religious & Lay Leaders in Ministry (English)

21 July 2013, Sunday 6.00 p.m.

to

26 July 2013, Friday 2.00 p.m.

Directed by

Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C.
Director - Divine Retreat Centre

Do click on the link below to read Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran’s inspirational Homily during the Annual Priests, Religious & Lay Leaders In Ministry Retreat on 14 July 2011:

TO PROCLAIM GOD’s WORD TO EVERY PERSON IN THE WORLD 

Rev. Fr. Joseph Edattu V.C.
Asst. Director - Divine Retreat Centre

Retreat Fee:

INR300/- (with local food)

INR1,000/- (with non-spicy food)

Prior registration is NOT required

Please click on the link below:

2012 RETREAT TESTIIMONY OF REBECCA POO, SINGAPORE (Lay MInistry)

“We write to you about the Word of life, which has existed from the very beginning. We have heard it, and we have seen it with our eyes; yes, we have seen it, and our hands have touched it… so we speak of it and tell you about the eternal life which was with the Father and was made known to us... so that you will join with us in the fellowship that we have with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ in order that our joy may be complete.” 

(1 John 1:1-4)

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DIVINE’s ANNUAL INNER HEALING FOR PRIESTS (English)

22 September 2013, Sunday 6.00 p.m.
to

27 September 2013, Friday 2.00 p.m.

Directed by

   

Rev. Fr. Mathew Naickomparambil V.C.
(Spearhead Divine-Potta Ministry)

Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Edattu V.C.

Retreat Fee:

INR400/- (with local food)

INR1,000/- (with non-spicy food)

Prior registration is NOT required

We request your help to share these special Divine Annual Retreats information with your family, friends and ministry members who are serving the Lord. 

For more details. Please contact:
Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C.

DIVINE RETREAT CENTRE

Muringoor P.O., Chalakudy, Kerala – 680 309

Tel: (91) 480 2708098, (91) 480 2708193

Fax: (91) 480 2708097

E-mail: divineretreatcentre@gmail.com

For more information on Divine Retreat Centre's news and activities and on Divine TV, please do visit our website: www.drcm.org

POWER 2013 - DIVINE'S 8th INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE [14-19 JULY 2013]

"ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN CHRIST" (Ephesians 3:17)

DIVINE’s 8^th INTERNATIONAL  YOUTH CONFERENCE (incld. Couples Retreat, Children’s Retreat & Bible Nursery)

The time that thousands of Youths in India and all over the world are eagerly awaiting is fast approaching! POWER 2013 – the most exciting, anointed and joyous DIVINE’s International Retreat Week is just  4 ½ months away…

For the past 7 years, thousands of Youths have given their lives to be Christ’s witnesses to the world after being a part of Divine’s POWER  Youth Conference. To all Youths – are you willing to respond to God’s call to be rooted and grounded in Him? Then Divine Retreat Centre is THE place to be from 14-19 July 2013 for your HEART TRANSFORMING experience of Jesus’ Presence in your life! Come and be empowered by THE JOY, THE LOVE & THE POWER OF GOD’s SPIRIT! 

Below are testimonies of 3 youths from around the world who wrote to share how their lives were changed forever. Many youths had written back to Divine sharing how Jesus is truly alive in their lives now – at school, at work, and at home. They know they are never alone – Jesus is in them!

Iaian Bong [Kuching, Malaysia]

Iaian Bong performing at POWER 2012!

“My prayer before POWER 2012 happened was very simple actually: I wanted to see God's face, I wanted a spiritual renewal in me and I wanted God to mind blow me...and guess what, He did.” – Iaian Bong

  

Do read the full testimony of Iaian Bong who was part of the EMPOWERED Youth Ministry team from Kuching, Malaysia getting his prayer and wish fufilled by Jesus!

Jenna Wan [Mauritius]

Jenna Wan (in orange t-shirt with part of Mauritius Youth team at POWER 2012

“Going to the retreat at Divine in India was nothing of a coincidence. It was in His plan and in His time... At the retreat in Divine, He also revealed to me, in front of the Blessed Sacrament, my mission on earth and told me to go back  study to become a nurse. All this was revealed to me after confession, for it is then that we are allowing Jesus to pour His graces on us.” –Jenna Wan

Jenna, who was part of a Youth Group from Mauritius, learnt the truth - that God has a mission and a special plan for every person! Do read Jenna Wan’s full testimony and be inspired!

Tanisha Mascarenhas (Doha, Qatar)

Tanisha Mascarenhas (3rd from left in front row) with Qatar Youth  Team

“The first day of the retreat, something I had been waiting for since December 2011. I’ll be honest and say it felt like heaven. The music, the speakers, the food, the people, everything was just perfect. And what’s better than youth from all around the world coming to worship that one totally awesome God.” – Tanisha Mascarenhas

Tanisha, who was part of the Qatar Youth Group, shares how she learnt our God is a God of relationships! Do read Tanisha Mascarenhas' heart-warming testimony of Jesus transforming her life – and her burning desire to serve Him Always!

The Divine Team will be led by

Rev. Fr.  Augustine Vallooran V.C.

Director - Divine Retreat Centre

Come and and have a truly DIVINE experience

at

POWER 2013 – “ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN LOVE (Eph 3:17)

DIVINE’s 8^th INTERNATIONAL  YOUTH CONFERENCE (incld. Couples Retreat, Children’s Retreat & Bible Nursery)

14-19 July 2013

POWER 2013 Registration Fee:

INR400/- only (with local cuisine)

INR1200/- only (with continental cuisine)

Divine will ensure that the necessary arrangements e.g. accommodation and meals will be reserved.

 Please register early as accommodation is on a First Come First Served basis.

For more information, please contact:

Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C.

Director – Divine Retreat Centre

Muringoor P.O.

Chalakudy 680 309

Kerala

India

Emaiil: augustine.vallooran@yahoo.com
Do visit our Divine Youth website at www.divineyouth.org

JOIN US FOR POWER 2013!

Be ROOTED in CHRIST… 

His LOVE will shine through YOU to the world!

Below is the YouTube pictorial video of Divine’s POWER 2012 Memories – CHRIST IN YOU – the hope and glory”(Col 1:27) from 22-27 July 2012

HOW DIVINE-POTTA MINISTRY BEGAN...AND A DIVINE RETREAT EXPERIENCE

Nzone Focus' host Allan Lee interviews  Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C. about Divine 's retreat experiences and about Divine Retreat Centre and of  Glen la Rive's personal testimony -- during a recent mission in New Zealand. 

Fr. Augustine Vallooran shares the remarkable story of how Divine Retreat Centre based in Kerala, South India, has grown by God's amazing Grace to become the largest Catholic retreat centre in he world  - over 10 million people since end December 1989. Father explains that "More than 30% of those who attend the retreats are non-Christians - everyone feels at home in the Presence of Jesus. Everyone feels the joy!"

Glen La Rive's personal testimony is inspiring - how a long-haired rockstar musician  (videoclips included)  caught up in the ways of the world is totally transformed through his first Divine retreat. Glen still remembers how he truly experienced God in Divine - "I found a strange peace...especially Fr. Augustine's words which were burning through me and counselling me - something which I have never experienced before in my life."  From then on, Glen has only used his voice "to sing for the Glory of God". Today, Glen and his wife, Teresa, are known all over the world as Divine's Singing Couple!

Nzone Focus is  New Zealand's only Christian news and current affairs programmes to be made and broadcast by Shine TV, on Sky Digital 111 & Freeview 25 in New Zealand.

Retreats are held every week of the year in Divine Retreat Centre (DRC) in English and 6 Indian languages. It is the largest Catholic retreat centre in the world.

Over 10 million people have attended retreats here since the Divine-Potta ministry by the Fathers of Vincentian Congregation of India opened Divine Retreat Centre in late December 1989.

Please do share this post with all your friends and loved ones who want to know more about the Divine-Potta ministry and about  experiencing a Divine retreat.

For more information, please visit the website: www.drcm.org

IS EVANGELIZATION FOR YOU?

Mr. M. V. Thomas

President & CEO of Crosstel Inc.

Chief Executive – Divine Vision Network

Evangelization is one of the finest things that can happen to a believer in the journey of his life. All the moments in which God chooses us to be a partner in evangelization are some of the most valuable achievements.  As John 15:16 says “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit — fruit that will last — and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you”, it is God’s calling. However, there are a few things we can do as believers to invoke this process. Going through a spiritual renewal process or being born again itself is God’s calling. From this moment, a believer goes through a deeper thirst to “know Him, love Him and serve Him”. Through prayer and study of the word of God, this thirst can be converted into powerful moves of evangelization. Almost all evangelists, big and small, have gone through such an experience. It always begins with a powerful Godly experience – a deeper conviction that God is alive and is with us. Without such conviction, human efforts tend to fall apart.  Once we have such a conviction, it does not matter what we are or where we are -- we can become powerful tools in the hands of God.

In my personal life, knowing Him was the biggest barrier that took time. As a “doubting Thomas” I struggled for years searching for Him. I was sincere in my doubts about Him and persistently kept “questioning” Him. Once He revealed Himself, it was easier to talk about the “God I know” and to do the things that He asks me to do or the acts that would please Him. That was my personal evangelization. Since then a few of us gathered together regularly for weekly prayer meetings which laid a strong foundation for us to seek God, praise and worship, and share the Word. It was amazing to see how God led each of us day after day not only in our spiritual lives, but in everything we did. He became “real and living” among us. We became “addicted” to gathering and experiencing Him every week. There is something to be said of prayer meetings that we cannot achieve alone. Acts 2 clearly shows us that God showers special blessings in such spiritual gatherings and fellowships. This is different from what we get from the Eucharist or the other sacraments. It is not one or the other; rather both are needed for our growth.

Another catalyst in my spiritual growth or evangelization (that God gave me a chance to observe) was the turn my personal life took after God became my one and only goal. It were as if pieces of the puzzle were put together so effortlessly and naturally, that I knew I would not have been able to put together alone. Acts 16:31 “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will be saved” started becoming a reality not only in my spiritual life, but in my entire household -- so much so that I have often mentioned in our prayer meetings that I am the most selfish person I know of in evangelization, and that I am doing this only because I do not have anything better to do with my life. Evangelization, and living with Christ as our only goal is highly rewarding. I truly believe in every word written in Psalm 1 and 112. They are written for and about common men like me and you.

A third of aspect of evangelization I have seen and am often amazed is that if you are truly sincere about evangelization and have spent time with Lord in prayer, when you step out, you are not alone. For every step we make, He makes several supernatural and powerful moves on your behalf. He will be there with you to change people around you and remake the circumstance to suit you. This is so much a reality that I count on it all the time. If you find yourself “struggling” through your evangelization, I would strongly suggest that you prepare in prayer. In Evangelization, we are only His hands and fingers. Work is always by Him. That should make it even easier and better.  Always remember, what Mother Teresa and St. Paul did or said were not on their own. God was with them, empowering and supporting them. They simply depended upon Him and moved in their lives. All glory and honour to Him!

Evangelization through television was the idea God laid in the hearts of the priests from Divine Retreat Center, Muringoor. When Fr. Augustine and Fr. Panackal shared with me the same idea for North America, I was very sceptical and doubtful; I could only see difficulties and mountains. So I politely and diplomatically made attempts to avoid the subject altogether. Having experienced His powerful and supernatural moves in the past, we started praying for it and remarkably things began taking shape -- God brought together the right atmosphere, resources, talents and abilities!  Although I could go into detail as to how it was formed, they are simply irrelevant as I am convinced that it was the supernatural works of God where He was using many of us. Today thousands of households watch Divine TV at home, and hours of Divine TV Online (www.dvnonline.org) from viewers around the globe. We continuously receive prayer requests, comments, and suggestions both by email and phone.  This reminds me of an evangelist in US saying “Billy Graham and his driver both have the same reward from God.”  It does not matter who we are and what we are -- God is willing to use all of us as spiritual partners of Gospel, if we are willing to be used. There is still room in it for you and me, if we know Him, love Him and are sincerely ready to serve him.  God is not looking for mighty men and women for evangelization; but, what He needs is humble and willing hearts for Him to impart special powers in the form of talents and treasures to be used according to His will. 

I ask that God touch the hearts of every person who reads this. May He grant him/her the same desire and willingness He gave every evangelist to open up their hearts to serve Him for centuries.

Let us pray:

“Dear God, we acknowledge that everything in our lives is a gift from You. You are marvelous and glories in everything You do. Nothing is impossible for You. Grant many men and women the thirst, time, and talent to serve You and to share the treasures You give us from time to time with You and for You. Open our eyes to see Your Mercy, Power and Strength in everything we go through and guide us to fulfill Your Plan in our lives. In Jesus’ Name. Amen”

Mr. M.V. Thomas is a successful and professional business man – currently the CEO and President of Crosstel inc, in Columbia, Georgia, USA. MV (as he is fondly known by all in the Divine-Potta ministry) has been instrumental and is the Chief Executive of Divine Vision Network, a Company registered in USA to coordinate the activities of Divine TV in USA and Canada. Divine TV has been on-air in USA and Canada since 25 May 2009 and Divine TV is available ONLINE on the Internet in EVERY country across the globe through DVN Online TV as of 04 October 2009.

MV Is blessed with the loving support of his wife, Geetha, and has three daughters and two grandchildren. He has lived abroad for the last 35 years in various countries.