As I heard the news of a shooting range complex planned to be built next to Mount St Joseph Retreat House I wondered what the President’s Foundation for Well-being of Society had to say about the issue.

Through this retreat house, the Jesuits have been offering concrete opportunities and spaces where one can grow in happiness and peace in whatever life circumstances one is in.

They offer body-mind seminars, educational events, celebrations of family occasions and spiritual accompaniment.

Having been a beneficiary myself as a youth and young adult, and also in my work with young people, I have seen the Jesuits open their doors to all sorts of individuals and organisations, both those who are religious and those who are not, from the north and from the south, both the rich and the poor, sponsoring or heavily subsidising the latter by their relatively cheap prices.

This retreat house offers an affordable opportunity to experience well-being to thousands of people, including youth, all sorts of families, school children, the elderly and many more.

The quiet and peace, good quality food and service, high standard in safety and security, accessibility to those with special needs and, above all, the green area the place offers make Mount St Joseph in Tarġa Gap, Mosta one of the best retreat houses on the island.

The house will have to close down should the shooting range be built because it will lose its character. Those who are in charge should think twice before proceeding with such a decision.

This decision will impact the well-being of many from among the public. Approving the shooting range will destroy this spiritual haven, which offers so much to those of us who lead busy lives.