Everywhere: Building a Wise and Happy Community

17 MSC Confreres Enter into Silence in Taroanggro, Kapencar – East Wonosobo.

A total of 17 confreres from the MSC (Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) Provincialate and Mother House Community in Jakarta attended an intensive annual retreat from 10 to 15 November 2025, at the MSC Spirituality Centre, Taroanggro, East Wonosobo, Central Java.

With the theme, “Building a Wise and Happy Community,” the retreat was an important time for reflecting on the call to community life and mission, away from the busy city.

Leaving Early, Arriving at Dusk. The group, consisting of 12 confreres from the Provincialate and Mother House, departed from Jakarta on 9 November 2025 at 07:00, including 2 confreres from the Purworejo Prayer House for the Elderly and 3 confreres from the Karanganyar Novitiate, and arrived at the location managed by Br. Kamto, Fr. Stef Sumpana, and Mgr. Nico Adiseputra that afternoon.

The retreat was specifically accompanied by Br. Petrus Anjar Trihartono FIC, Director of the Roncalli Retreat House, Salatiga.

Absolute Silence as the Key to Reflection. On the first day, Monday (10/11), activities began with an Opening Mass led by the Community Leader, Fr. Yohanes Emanuel K. Toby MSC. In his introduction, Fr. Toby invited the participants to use this opportunity for gratitude, contemplation, and reflection on their mission work as one community.

Quoting the Holy Scripture reading, Fr. Elton highlighted two key aspects of gaining wisdom: first, dedicating time for personal, quiet reflection, and second, deepening one’s knowledge of Christ.

“In Our Congregation, there are no newcomers or strangers,” this quote from the Founder became the initial reference point for the participants, as conveyed in the retreat introduction session. The participants were then invited to see, listen, and do the will of Jesus as the foundation of community life.

Throughout the retreat, the participants agreed to practice silentium magnum (total silence), a state endorsed by Br. Anjar in the first session as a time to ‘relax, reflect, refresh, recharge, and be reborn’—briefly withdrawing to draw closer to God and to one another.

Greeting the Sun at the Foot of Sumbing-Sindoro. Amid the intensity of the retreat’s contemplation sessions, the retreat committee introduced a special activity called “Laudato Si Walk.” This activity was included on the agenda for the second and third days of the retreat at the MSC Spirituality Center, Kapencar, East Wonosobo.

Taking inspiration from Pope Francis’ encyclical on caring for our common home, the participants began their activities at 05:00 AM.

The “Laudato Si’ Walk” is a combination of exercise, healthy walking, and contemplation. Participants walked around the Kapencar area, breathing in the fresh morning air while gazing at the beautiful valley nestled between Mount Sumbing and Mount Sindoro.

This activity was not only about physical health but also a spiritual reflection on nature as a gift from God.

Fraternal Visit in Kapencar. On the third day of the retreat, the “Laudato Si” Walk” activity was expanded with a warm fraternal visit. While exercising in the morning, the confreres had the opportunity to visit their colleagues who are serving at St. Fillipus Parish, Kapencar, namely Fr. Leo Sugiono and Fr. Paul Ngalngola.

In addition to visiting fellow confreres, the group also paid a fraternal visit to the PBHK Sisters working in the area. This visit reaffirmed the spirit of communio (unity) and support among members of the congregation and other religious orders in the mission field.

This special activity effectively combined the need for physical fitness, appreciation for creation, and the building of fraternal bonds within the calm and reflective setting of the retreat.

Thoroughly Examining the Foundation of Community. On the second and third days, the retreat activities centred on the qualities of an ideal Christian community. Br. Anjar encouraged participants to reflect on the core principles of community: mutual giving and receiving in love, and the importance of trust.

The core of the reflection emphasised values that must be struggled for: caring, sharing, bearing (carrying burdens together), submitting (surrendering), and serving, all modelled after the person of Jesus.

The peak of interpersonal contemplation occurred during the group sharing sessions. Participants used the method of three rounds of spiritual conversation to discover communal wisdom—shared wisdom—that strengthened and comforted one another.

Confronting Imperfection. Entering the fourth day, Thursday (13/11), the retreat’s focus shifted to the reality of human fallibility. The religious community was acknowledged as “a group of pilgrims” who are still imperfect.
Br. Anjar clearly reminded participants of the 15 ailments identified by Pope Francis that can harm communities, such as arrogance, gossip, and existential schizophrenia. Recognising these weaknesses provided an opportunity for all attendees to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), followed by an Evening of Contemplation and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

New Commitment and Ongoing Mission. Friday (14/11) was the Sending Forth session, inviting participants to carry spiritual provisions to continue their journey of building a wise and happy community life.

“The invitation to remain in Jesus as the Vine is the strength in community life,” was the essence of the sending message.

The retreat ended with a Closing Mass led by Fr. Ignatius Wong Sani Saliwardaya MSC. In his homily, Fr. Sani encouraged the community to discard the old ways of life and to develop a sincere commitment to embody the relationship between consecratio (consecrated life), communio (community), and missio (mission).

After the retreat, the confreres took the time for a communal recreation trip to Moby Paralayang Wonosobo and enjoyed the natural beauty of Dieng. The journey home also included a brief visit to the MSC confreres at St. Paul’s Parish Wonosobo and attending the Funeral Mass of the mother of Fr. Sigit Rianto MSC in Purwokerto, before finally arriving back in Jakarta on Sunday (16/11) evening.

Sisko Alexander, MSC (Indonesian Province)