Friends of Divine

Sunday, March 18, 2018

DIVINE LENTEN 2018 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION NO.5: “ASK FOR THE FULLNESS OF HOLY SPIRIT IN YOU” by Rev. Fr.Mathew Naickomparambil V.C.

A weekly spiritual video talk will be posted every Sunday on this Friends of Divine blog until Palm Sunday - the 6-part DIVINE LENTEN 2018 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION SERIES - so that every one of us will seek to live for Jesus with no self-willed barriers in our hearts and mind but to proclaim the Glory of God.

The fifth video of the 6-part DIVINE LENTEN 2018 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION SERIES at the top of this post is "“ASK FOR THE FULLNESS OF HOLY SPIRIT IN YOU” by Rev. Fr. Mathew Naickomparambil V.C., Spearhead of Divine-Potta Ministry.

In this Spirit-filled sharing, Fr. Matthew exhorts every Catholic to lead Spirit=filled lives. “Much of our sorrow, sadness, guilt feelings and negative thinking disappear when we are washed in the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Moreover, whenever we hear the Word of God, there is the descent of the Holy Spirit coming upon us and we are filled with Joy, Peace, Love and all the Fruits of the Holy Spirit.”

Fr. Mathew shares his first experience when the Lord spoke to him at the age of 20 in the month of July 1966 - “‘Ask and you shall receive the Holy Spirit.’ This is a message for everyone who believes in Jesus. There is a great provision for you according to the Will of God that you can be filled with the Holy Spirit to the level of overflowing from you to others.”

“What is the Good News of Salvation? ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, you and your family will be saved.’ (Acts 16:31) Jesus is in control of everything. All we have to do is pray in the Name of Jesus over all our difficult situations.”

“The word ‘Alleluia’ is from the Bible. It is used in Heaven to praise, thank, glorify and rejoice in the Almighty God. Whenever we say this word of praise, we get a new anointing and empowerment of the Holy Spirit coming upon us and consequently we are delivered from many bondages and afflictions.”

In the final video of the Divine Lenten 2018 Reflection series next Sunday, Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C., Director, Divine Retreat Centre, Kerala, India speaks on a soul searching topic - "AM I REALLY LIVING?”

Please do share this Divine Lenten 2018 Weekly Video Reflection series with your loved ones, prayer groups and friends to make this sacred season of Lent a truly transforming experience in our Christian life.

Sunday, March 11, 2018

DIVINE LENTEN 2018 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION NO.4: “THE IMPORTANCE OF A PERSONAL SPIRITUAL LIFE” by Rev. Fr. Jacob Arimpur V.C.

The fourth video of the 6-part DIVINE LENTEN 2018 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION SERIES at the top of this post is “THE IMPORTANCE OF A PERSONAL SPIRITUAL LIFE” by Rev. Fr. Jacob Arimpur V.C., Assistant Director, Divine Retreat Centre, Kerala, India.

In this heart-provoking sharing of the Word Of God, Fr. Jacob explains with great clarity an issue many Catholics often seek to understand:

“What do we have to do in order to grow our spiritual life?”

Fr. Jacob points out two very important aspects of Jesus’ life:

Jesus obeyed the rules, regulations,, customs and tradition of the Jewish life
Jesus was thoroughly disciplined in His Spiritual life.

“We are living in a world where we are taught that we must be doing what we like doing. We must be going to places that we like to go. We should not be restricted by any rules or regulations. So it is all about ‘I, Me , and Myself’!”

“We have to learn to submit and surrender ourselves. If we are not interested in bringing order to our spiritual life, let us forget about the Holy Spirit. Or let us forget about all the desire that we are having for a spiritual life.”

“1 Corinthian 14:33 – ‘Our God is not a god of disorder.” When there is no order in our life, when there is no discipline in our lives, we experience death in our spiritual life. We do not experience the Power of God in our spiritual life. We become dead from within.”

Next Sunday, Rev. Fr. Mathew Naickomparambil V.C., Spearhead of Divine-Potta Ministry, Kerala, India will be sharing the Word of God on an uplifting topic- “ASK FOR THE FULLNESS OF HOLY SPIRIT IN YOU”.

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

DIVINE LENTEN 2018 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION NO.3: "EVERY CATHOLIC IS CALLED TO HOLINESS" by Rev. Fr. Joseph Edattu V.C.

A weekly spiritual video talk will be posted every Sunday on this Friends of Divine blog until Palm Sunday - the 6-part DIVINE LENTEN 2018 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION SERIES - so that every one of us will seek to live for Jesus with no self-willed barriers in our hearts and mind but to proclaim the Glory of God.

Due a problem with my eyes, this week there will be two videos – Sunday’s post (04 March) and the 3^rd weekly video posted today (Wednesday, 07 March) to get back to the proper schedule.

The third video of the 6-part DIVINE LENTEN 2018 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION SERIES at the top of this post is “EVERY CATHOLIC IS CALLED TO HOLINESS” by Rev. Fr. Joseph Edattu V.C., Associate Director –Divine Retreat Centre, Ramsgate, Kent, UK

In this enlightening sharing of the Word Of God, Fr. Joseph compares the sins committed by St. Peter, who was the 1^st Pope to the sins we are committing in our daily lives today.

“'The Catechism of the Catholic Church make it very clear what is the aim of every Catholic – ‘Everyone is called to holiness’. Some people believe holiness are only meant for nuns and priests. No! Every person is called to holiness whether you are married or single.”

Fr. Joseph explains the three categories of sins which prevent us from being holy:

Keeping a distance from Jesus
Bad Company / Wrong Relationships
Search for momentary pleasure

“Many people say that the more they pray and get closer to God, the more their sufferings increases. So it is better to not get too close to God. This kind of attitude is not from God but from evil. Evil is putting you into a comfort zone an dis not allowing you to welcome the Heavenly Father.”

Next Sunday, Rev. Fr. Jacob Arimpur V.C., Assistant Director, Divine Retreat Centre, Kerala, India will be sharing the Word of God on an integral necessity of our faith journey – “THE IMPORTANCE OF A PERSONAL SPIRITUAL LIFE”.

Sunday, March 4, 2018

DIVINE LENTEN 2018 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION NO.2: "WHY CONFESSING TO A PRIEST MATTERS" by Rev. Fr. Michael Payyapilly V.C.

My apologies that I could not post the 2^nd weekly video of the 6-part Divine Lenten 2018 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION SERIES last Sunday (26 Feb 2018) due a painful problem with my eyes. Hence this week there will be two videos –today’s post and the 3^rd weekly video will be posted on Wednesday (7 March 2018) to get back to the proper schedule.

The second video of the 6-part DIVINE LENTEN 2018 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION SERIES at the top of this post is "WHY CONFESSING TO A PRIEST MATTERS" by Rev. Fr. Michael Payyapilly V.C., Director – Tabor Divine Retreat Centre, Kalyan. Mumbai India

In this heart provoking homily, Fr. Michael explains with great clarity that each of us need to change and repent -then “You and and your family will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

There are two types of repentance

Godly repentance

Worldly repentance

"Peter and Judas both sinned. The difference was that when Peter repented, he turned and looked at Jesus. That is godly repentance. What did Judas do? He looked at the 30 silver coins and went to a garden where he saw a tree and hung himself – worldly repentance leads us to death.”

“Today God is inviting us to a godly repentance. A godly repentance is made through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) – to confess our sins and to show we are genuinely sorry for what we have done. We have all sinned. God our Father embraces us despite our sins. But are we reconciled with our Father? No! We have to confess our sins. We have to reach out to our Father. That is what Holy Confession is all about.”

“Why do people feel bored, irritated, guilty and do not feel the Presence of God?”
“When does the Mercy f God flows through our lives?”
“When can you experience healings?”

“Jesus is asking you today – ‘Give me the burden of your sins.’ Do not be arrogant. Be humble and say to our Lord, ‘ Here is my burden of sin. Take it from me, Lord.’ This can only happen during the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Find your freedom, be humble and do not be a slave to sin.”

“At the Confessional, you see a priest but you experience Jesus!”

Next Wednesday, Rev. Fr. Joseph Edattu V.C., Associate Director, Divine Retreat Centre, Ramsgate,, Kent, UK will be sharing the Word of God on a Spirit-filled topic - "EVERY CATHOLIC IS CALLED TO HOLINESS".

Monday, February 19, 2018

DIVINE LENTEN 2018 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION NO.1: “REPENTANCE LEADS US TO LOVE OF GOD”– By Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C.

The Holy Season of Lent began this year on 14 February 2018 - ASH WEDNESDAY.

As of today, a weekly spiritual video talk will be posted every Sunday on this Friends of Divine blog until Palm Sunday - the 6-part DIVINE LENTEN 2018 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION SERIES - so that every one of us will seek to live for Jesus with no self-willed barriers in our hearts and mind but to proclaim the Glory of God.

On Holy Thursday, a Eucharistic Adoration service will be posted.

Let us open our hearts to the call of Pope Francis' LENTEN 2018 Message:

"By devoting more time to prayer, we enable our hearts to root out our secret lies and forms of self-deception, and then to find the consolation God offers. He is our Father and he wants us to live life well."

"Almsgiving sets us free from greed and helps us to regard our neighbour as a brother or sister. What I possess is never mine alone. How I would like almsgiving to become a genuine style of life for each of us! How I would like us, as Christians, to follow the example of the Apostles and see in the sharing of our possessions a tangible witness of the communion that is ours in the Church! For this reason, I echo Saint Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians to take up a collection for the community of Jerusalem as something from which they themselves would benefit (cf. 2 Cor 8:10). This is all the more fitting during the Lenten season, when many groups take up collections to assist Churches and peoples in need. Yet I would also hope that, even in our daily encounters with those who beg for our assistance, we would see such requests as coming from God Himself. When we give alms, we share in God’s providential care for each of His children. If through me God helps someone today, will He not tomorrow provide for my own needs? For no one is more generous than God."

"Fasting weakens our tendency to violence; it disarms us and becomes an important opportunity for growth. On the one hand, it allows us to experience what the destitute and the starving have to endure. On the other hand, it expresses our own spiritual hunger and thirst for life in God. Fasting wakes us up. It makes us more attentive to God and our neighbour. It revives our desire to obey God, who alone is capable of satisfying our hunger."

The first video of the 6-part DIVINE LENTEN 2018 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION SERIES at the top of this post is "REPENTANCE LEADS US TO THE LOVE OF GOD” by Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C., Director – Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor. Kerala. India

In this Spirit-filled homily, Fr. Augustine explains with insightful wisdom why Jesus' first preaching, " 'Repent! The Kingdom of God is at Hand' (Matthew 4:17) is a message of great value for every one of us - a message of great hope! We know the prophets of the Old Testament came down to the people and often when they spoke , it was the language of fire and brimstone falling from Heaven to burn the human race. A God who was waiting to punish and eliminate the human race because of our sin."

"But the tone of Jesus is altogether different - a tone of God's Mercy and Forgiveness - giving you and me a great hope! We know how sinful we are. We know there is "'unfreedom' in the very centre of our hearts."

"What does it mean to repent? To repent means "I turn to God. I look at His Face. I turn away from my sins...I turn away from all that is captive in my heart. I turn to God and say, "I surrender! I place all the wretchedness in my heart in the Hands of God. That is what repentance means"

"Often people mistake repentance for guilt feelings. The two are very different. Repentance comes out of love. I know my God loves me. I know that He will forgive me. But guilt does not come from love. It comes from pride. Guilt feeling leads us to sadness but repentance leads us to love - to believe in the God who saves me."

Fr. Augustine explains with enlightening clarity why true repentance of a single person bring great rejoicing in Heaven!

Next Sunday, Rev. Fr. Michael Payyapilly V.C., Director, Tabor Divine Retreat Centre, Mumbai, India will be sharing the Word of God on a heart-provoking topic - "WHY CONFESSING TO A PRIEST MATTERS".

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

NEW YEAR 2018: "I AM CATHOLIC ...I AM ALIVE!"

Eight days has already passed by in this New Year - 2018. For me, Advent and the the days leading to the New Year are often days of deep introspection of my life in the year gone by 2017 and the year that lies ahead 2018.

We will welcome new friends and say goodbye to dear ones. Sadly, I learnt that a very dear friend in Singapore, an ex-colleague of mine, had finished his race on earth as a pilgrim on 05 January 2018. I will now only see him in the memories of my heart. Yet, the last time I visited Joe Lim at his home in June 2017, he was very positive despite his long battle with cancer. Joe had no more regrets, he had made his peace with God and most of all, in his last few years, Joe lived his life with holy joy. He was proud to proclaim, "I am a Catholic!" and that he was definitely ready to return to God. There was great serenity and peace that radiated from Joe's face. His will was to live the Will of God. He told me that one of his greatest joys was sharing his life's testimony at a Divine Retreat in Singapore in 2013. I know it greatly touched many Singaporeans hearts because of his honesty in sharing about his life. It took immense personal courage. I know I cried listening to his testimony. It was so powerful as Joe gave witness to the Power of Jesus in his life.

Joe Lim on extreme right with his daughter Jean during Christmas 2010 Visit to Divine Girls Home

When I got the news regarding Joe's demise, I was first filled with sadness. We were not close when I was his colleague in the same company. He seemed rather quiet and at that time our age difference also played a part. I was in my mid-twenties. Neither of us knew we were Catholics because we rarely spoke of our faith at work unless we were asked directly. We became good friends when I helped coordinate the first 5-day Divine retreat in Singapore in 2010.

When I look to what 2018 and hopefully what the years ahead hold for me, that is what I would like my identity to be, "I am Catholic and I am Alive". I hope my life will exemplify the mission Jesus has given to me while I am here on earth. We are all pilgrims. Our final journey is to our Eternal Home in Heaven. I still have personal mission goals I have always felt called to since my first retreat in 1998. Have I fully answered that Call of God? To be honest, the answer is not yet. It is something, if we look really deep into our hearts, many of us will probably feel so. Does that answer mean we have failed God? I do not believe so - otherwise my nearly fourteen years of full-time ministry would have been a waste. God's Time is very different from our human time-frame. So what did Jesus teach me in my quest to live as a Catholic should - as God wants me to?

First of all, it is to change my heart and my mind from one of my human will and human goals- to a heart and mind trying my best to do God's Will. For that, each one of us must be willing to go through difficult times, to experience what St. John the Cross and Saint Mother Teresa spoke of "the dark nights' of the soul", to honestly accept and do our best to overcome our human weaknesses/failings. All these inner transformation of our heart and mind has taken all these years for me and will always be ongoing. Over the past 4-5 years, some close old friends have said they have seen a very distinct change in me. It seems, I am more at peace and more reflective and calmer about life. When I was first told that, I would joke that now I am becoming like many of the Vincentian priests and my lay friends who are serving here in Divine Retreat Centre finally - having that peaceful Divine look! On a serious note, I know the changes God has made in me and I am truly thankful to God.

I was seriously trying to discern what I am being called to to do in 2018. The answer was actually what I felt very deeply in my heart and mind while I attended the Annual CALLED...GIFTED...SENT FORTH 2017 Retreat for Priests, Religious & Lay Leaders in Ministry here in our retreat centre from 30 July - 04 August 2017. It was to have courage to do what was needed to answer the call that Jesus had so clearly placed in me as a clear vision and vocal call I felt deep within my heart in Singapore - just one week after my first Divine retreat in 1998. Until today, it remains extremely vivid and I am reminded a few times every year in prayer. When my lay friends and I have shared about God's Call to each of us, the one thing that scares us is the lack of security when one is a lay person to serve in full-time ministry. In fact, another question is also, "How do we balance our work life and ministry life?" Serving God is a commitment. It is not only about serving when one is feeling good and happy. It is never easy but if we turn to God, we will know the answer when the choice we make brings us the kind of inner peace that cannot be explained in human words. No one can give us the right answer - only God can!

The answer in my heart during the retreat last year was, "What are you waiting for? Who are you waiting for? I am with you, Susan. Do what I want you to." To be honest, I actually fell very ill immediately after the retreat and eventually after 4 days being bed-ridden, I ended up spending 5 days in hospital. So the last 2 days in hospital, I began thinking of the fragility of my own life. Would I be alive next year? if so, would I be ready like my friend, Joe to happily march on to Heaven's Gate one day soon? I knew in June 2017 when I visited Joe that it was likely the last time I would see him. It was just a strong feeling and the time we had together stayed in my mind. He was one friend who had always encouraged me to serve full-time in India. It really encouraged me that some one who knew me strongly believed what I was doing mattered. Yes, it is a very human feeling but even in ministry, one needs affirmation once in a while just as we do in half-yearly and yearly reviews in the workplace. It helps to spur us on.

Well, the good news for each of us is every day that you and I are alive is a great blessing for us to live Jesus' Call. It is about our every day life as well as other special call God places in each of our hearts. God is so amazing - He gives a unique call to each of us. We do not need to compare ourselves with each other. As St. Mother Teresa says, "Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today." I want to live my faith so that I can hopefully be a light to others around me: especially those who may not know Christ or have not had a personal God-experience yet. If I can share the great joy within me that I am a Catholic with others, then I am alive for Christ! I have to always keep the fire burning in my heart to fully answer God's Call - to never give up.

The years ahead -2018 and beyond - are going to be challenging as I answer God's Call to serve "outside the box" if I have to. To not be within the comfort zone of my nearly 14-year ministry. It is to be like the Apostles before - to venture to new avenues of evangelization as per God's Call. It is about a deep need to pray and discern and not to be afraid. To dare for Jesus and to accept the joys and at times the setbacks or disappointments in my ministry efforts. Being a Catholic is accepting gracefully the crosses you and I will inevitably face. Jesus said, "If any one wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

What is important to remember iare the many assurances the Word of God promises each of us - you and me. Below are a few that mean a lot to me personally:

"Do not be afraid - I am with you!

(Isaiah 43:5)

"I alone know the plan I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster,

plans to bring about the future you hope for."

(Jeremiah 29:11))

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

(Philippians 4:13)

"For nothing will be impossible with God

(Luke 1:37)

The Lord, My Guardian

(Psalm 121)

On 30 December, a mission I had spent a lot of time over the past 3 months did not materialize. For about two hours I was really sad and defeated. And then I remembered something I have heard so many times during the talks in our retreat centre - "Nothing happens that is not according to God's Plan." So I literally spoke this words out in my room, "Here, Jesus , please take this failed mission effort. It is Yours now. I tried my best." Then I took an hour's nap and focussed on other mission efforts. It was not really a failed effort because I learnt some very valuable insights which will help me and all others involved in our future efforts. Jesus will definitely show the way when it is in His Time. What did I gain personally? It is getting to know lay Catholics in a different country who were/are willing to promote evangelization efforts. It is an amazing joy to know that there are lay Catholics who are committed to bring Christ to others. No one is willing to give up. They have started praying and planning for new mission efforts. On my part, I continue to pray and believe that God's Call will always happen. It is to never give up and to remember, "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised." (Hebrews 10:36)

When we look at our own personal lives, are we sharing the joy of our Catholic faith with those closest to us - our family members and friends? Often, they are the hardest to share our faith with. Why? Well, because they know us so well from childhood or our younger days. I know what I was like before my personal God-experience. The kind God wanted to spit out of His mouth, "So you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth." Revelations 3:16)" Well, it takes courage to share our active Catholic faith with others. There can be fun and non-threatening ways. One of my sisters started a chat group among the siblings where we learn through interesting fun questions about our Catholic faith or just from the daily readings or some reflections. All of us try to ask and answer the questions and it is great as we learn from each other. I love this WhatsApp chat group! We try to come up with interesting Catholic faith questions in a fun and joyful way. It works a whole lot better than trying to talk seriously about our faith as God calls each of us in a special way - it is not a case of one size fits all especially in my family. For my special-needs nephew, we share YouTube Christian hymns with lyrics as he loves to sing. So there are always ways to share our Catholic faith with our loved ones. It helps brings us closer. We also have a Prayer chat group so we can share prayers that we can pray together or for our personal needs. This has definitely brought my siblings and I closer to each other and to God.

It is important that we are open to find ways to share Christ with those around us. Let us not forget to have personal prayer time daily and to help celebrate the Holy Mass daily.

The YouTube video at the top of the post is an uplifting hymn, "I AM CATHOLIC...I AM ALIVE", the 50th Anniversary theme song by the Archdiocese of Mumbai for the 38th International Eucharistic Congress that was hosted in Mumbai in 1964.

It is a touching hymn that I pray, speaks to the heart of every member of our Friends of Divine Network, to joyfully exclaim from this New Year "I am Catholic and I am Alive!"

From all of us in Divine Retreat Centre, we thank all of you for your constant support, prayers and encouragement for the Divine-Potta's mission efforts in India and across the world. We are all God's Family!

Wishing you and your loved ones a Most Joyous, Blessed and Fulfilling New Year 2018!

This post is dedicated to my dear friend, the late Joe Lim,

who has inspired me in my faith journey!

Friday, June 9, 2017

"CALLED...GIFTED...SENT FORTH" 2017 ANNUAL RETREAT [30 July - 04 August 2017] - incl. 2016 TESTIMONIES

From 30 July - 04 August 2017, the CALLED...GIFTED...SENT FORTH 2017 Annual Retreat & Formation for Priests, Religious & Lay Leaders in Ministry will be conducted in Divine Retreat Centre, Kerala India. This annual retreat has transformed and converted the hearts of many who are serving in our Lord's vineyard. It is a special occasion to commit yourself to an anointed time set apart for Jesus - to allow Jesus to speak to your heart.

“So, our vocation is to go, not just to one parish, not just to one diocese, but all over the world; and do what? To set people's hearts on fire, to do what the Son of God did. He came to set the world on fire in order to inflame it with His love.”

St. Vincent de Paul

Is this retreat meant for you? If you are called by the Lord as a priest or religious 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 Jesus' Call and to serve joyfully at all times.

Do I feel truly empowered by the Holy Spirit to help set hearts on fire for Jesus?

Is daily and ministry life hectic 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?

Is my ministry becoming burdensome, dry and rife...just a routine?

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 2017 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 personal way!

Below are 2 inspiring testimonies of Friends of Divine based in Malaysia and Australia who have attended this retreat in 2016. We praise and thank God for touching their lives deeply.

Rev. Fr. Simon Kontou, Parish Priest, St.Dominic's Parish, Sandakan Diocese, Sabah, East Malaysia- Called...Gifted...Sent Forth 2016

Rev. Sr. Olga D'Cruz FMA, Figlie Maria Ausiliatrice, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Called...Gifted...Sent Forth 2016

The upcoming retreat is conducted by Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C., Director, Divine Retreat Centre, Rev. Fr. Jacob Arimpur V.C., Asst. Director, Divine Retreat Centre, Rev. Fr. Joseph Edattu V.C., Associate Director, Divine Retreat Centre, Ramsgate, Kent, UK and other gifted preachers and music ministry leaders

We pray for every person who feels called by our Lord to be a part of this special retreat in 2017.