Date: 02 September, 2026

The retreat, Roots and Wings: Journey of an A.C. Teacher, was organised from 31 August to 2 September 2026 in the school auditorium. It began with a warm welcome and felicitation, by the school management, of the three resource persons who accompanied the teachers through the retreat: Sr Jeswina of the Karnataka Province, Sr Diane, Educational Counsellor of the Western Province, and Mam Sharon of Carmel Convent School, Delhi.

Each day followed a prayerful and reflective rhythm, structured around two sessions - 8:00 am to 11:00 am and 11:30 am to 2:00 pm - with a half-hour tea and reflection break in between. The sessions were enlivened throughout with action songs, group discussions and personal reflection, creating a warm and participative atmosphere for the teachers.

Day 1

Session 1- The Art of Deep Listening, invited teachers into silence, reflection and presence, exploring creation as God's gift, our call to be co-creators and stewards of it, and our deepest identity as beloved children of God, alongside an honest self-awareness of both our lights and our shadows.

Session 2 - Prayer: The Creator Desires from me a Friendly Relationship, reflected on our personal images of God, the value of silence and solitude, and prayer as a path to intimacy with Him, nurtured through regularity, sincerity, detachment and humility, and bearing fruit in peace, gratitude and compassionate service.

Day 2

Session 1 - ‘Heritage and Founder’s Experience of God's Love Inspires Me’, reflecting on the life of Venerable Mother Veronica, foundress of the Apostolic Carmel. Her words, "God alone is sufficient for me," captured a life rooted in surrender, humility and unwavering trust in God's providence. Despite hardships, misunderstanding and uncertainty, she remained faithful to God's call, leaving one path to plant the seed of the Apostolic Carmel at Bayonne, trusting God for the harvest. Teachers were invited to see themselves not merely as instructors but as partners in the mission of education, called to lead young people to God through their character, patience, honesty and compassion, more than through words alone. Thereafter the movie “A Strange Destiny” the life of the foundress was screened leaving a deep impact.

Session 2- Love and Harmony in My Family, explored family as God's precious gift and the first school of love, belonging and values. It named common challenges, misunderstanding, poor communication, lack of forgiveness and presented six pillars of a strong family: Prayer, Love, Sacrifice, Respect, Honesty and Forgiveness. Teachers reflected personally on strengthening these pillars in their own homes and committed to becoming instruments of love and harmony within their families.

Day 3

Session 1 - My Call to be an A.C. Teacher, drawing inspiration from the founding mothers of the Apostolic Carmel Mother Veronica's vision for the holistic formation and empowerment of girls, Mother Marie des Anges' role in strengthening the Congregation's roots in India, and Mother Aloysia's conviction that education is "the noblest of all works of mercy." Teachers were called to go beyond imparting knowledge to form, accompany and inspire students through presence, patience, respect, sincerity and forgiveness, renewing their commitment to the apostolate of education entrusted to them.

Session 2- My Role in Building Up a Humane Society, reflected on our shared identity as one human family and the responsibility this place on educators to respond to injustice, discrimination and indifference. Anchored in the Constitutional values of Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, teachers were encouraged to nurture empathy, inclusion, respect for diversity and civic responsibility in the classroom, recognising that building a humane society begins with the compassion, fairness and service each teacher models daily. It was followed by a prayer service the lighting of candles and a prayer of commitment to be true AC Teachers.

The Management thanked appreciated Sr Jeswina, Sr Diane and Ma’am Sharon for their insights and investment in the teachers and felicitated them. The Retreat concluded with teachers renewed in spirit, rooted more deeply in their identity as God's beloved and in the legacy of the Apostolic Carmel, and equipped with the freedom to spread their wings in service of their students, families and society