Lessons Learned from the New Life Retreat March 30, 2009
Posted by Wayne in Activities, Prayer, Things to Think About.Tags: confession, Eucharist, lessons learned, new life, new life retreat, Prayer, retreat
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On March 21-22, members of the youth group participated in a Lenten New Life retreat during which the teens learned about how to attain and retain a New Life in Christ through the reception of the Sacraments. Along the way, I learned a number of little lessons, too:
- It might be important to call those who signed up for an event to make sure that it was them that signed up.
- Priests may not hang out with teenagers often, but they still know how to have fun.
- Walking through life on your own without the help of God is much more difficult than walking with God’s guidance. (Okay, well, at least it’s much easier to walk blindfolded when you have someone there to give you directions.)
- Slurping Jell-O through straw is not only possible, but it is extremely fun and makes for a great relay race.
- The Sacraments are like the GPS for the Catholic. They give you the directions and the grace you need to reach your ultimate destination, Heaven.
- Though it may take hours and hours and hours to put together, the right soundtrack for a reflective prayer component can make all the difference in the effect it has on those particpating.
- Yes, high school teenagers can listen to Gregorian Chant without cringing.
- Give high schoolers a blank t-shirt, some fabric markers and some puffy paint and they will challenge your faith.
- High schoolers are much more creative than I ever was and have a desire to share their faith with the world. (Hmmm…can we combine these two things? Come and take a look at our wall.)
- There is nothing like receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation right before you receive the Eucharist!
- Receiving the Sacraments can fill you with joy and energy, even at 1:30 in the morning!
- Six hours of sleep is apparently not enough sleep when you want to have a group discussion over breakfast.
- Bagels, cream cheese, fruit, milk and orange juice will render the most talkative group practically speechless (or was that just the questions I was asking?)
- Seeing pictures of yourself and being reminded of your experience of God is always a good way to end a retreat.
- Nurturing your life with Christ is like taking care of a newly planted seed. It takes time, energy, and dedication.
At the end of the retreat, we sent the participants home with this list of ways that we can all attempt to live the New Life at home everyday:
1. Find more opportunities to pray (even if it means praying in the shower).
2. Try to attend Mass as often as possible, at least once a week.
3. Carry a rosary or some reminder of God in your pocket.
4. Ask your parents or friends to pray with you (ex: at meals or before bed).
5. Read about the saints (especially your patron) and ask for their prayers.
6. Learn simple prayers and memorize them so that you can use them when you need them.
7. Find a “prayer partner” – a person who prays with you once a week or goes to Mass with you if you/ they have no one else to go with.
8. Think about and be aware of your movie and music choices (keep those cards from the “Time of Your Life” station).
9. Make silence part of your daily routine. Give God time to talk (perhaps before or after homework).
10. Wear Catholic/Christian clothing and represent what the clothing says. Also, just be aware about what message the clothes you wear are sending to others.
Starting Over: A recap of the New Life Retreat March 20, 2008
Posted by Wayne in Activities, Prayer, Things to Think About.Tags: confession, Eucharist, grace, Mass, new life, Prayer
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Despite the near foot of snow covering our driveways and our lawns, the youth group was able to come together on March 8th and 9th to participate in the New Life 2008 retreat!
This retreat was meant to encourage the youth to think about their lives, reflect on their priorities and to rejuvinate their relationship with Christ and their identity as Catholics in the world! After arriving, everyone entered the gym for some high energy icebreakers that got everyone moving and interacting with each other and thinking about why they were present (do you all remember the mine field?). Shortly after, we all came together as I gave a talk on being Catholic and renewing our identity, each time we receive the sacraments, through the use of the story of the Prodigal Son. When we attempt to live on our own with out the help of God, when we deny that we are, first and foremost, children of God, then we start to take on the identity of slaves. However, even when we have become slaves, and have done everything that would be considered horrible and have denied God over and over again, He is always ready to greet us when we return and to forgive us (as he does in the sacrament of reconciliation). And not only does he greet us, but also he celebrates our return with the biggest feast he ever has given (the Eucharist – God loves us so much that he wants to be as close to us as nutrition is to our bones, and so he becomes real food for us to take and eat). What an amazing concept to hold with us as we moved into smaller groups and discussed our lives?! Following small group discussions we took time for snacks and went into an hour and a half of hands-on activities that made us all look more deeply at ourselves and the ways that we have denied our Catholic identity. During that time we were all given the opportunity for Confession and were able to celebrate that renewed sense of identity through more hands on activities. Following this we were blessed to have our own Mass said for us by Fr. Reutter at midnight!! We ended the night with free time and games.
Morning came very soon but so did breakfast of donuts and orange juice, and as we broke into small groups to discuss what we learned the previous night, everyone seemed to be having a good time! The weekend and the retreat ended at 10:30 with a slide show of the event and a great song that said perfectly what had happened:
There is no guilt here, there is not shame.
No pointing fingers, there is no blame.
What happened yesterday has disappeared.
The dirt has washed away and now is clear.
There’s only grace; There’s only love
There’s only mercy and believe me it’s enough!
Your sins are gone without a trace
There’s nothing left now.
There’s only Grace!
You’re starting over now under the sun
You’re stepping forward now
A New Life has begun
Your New Life has begun!!…
At the end of the retreat, despite being tired, everyone was equipped with the tools to start the New Life that they received overnight and had a great time!!!
P.S. Pictures will be posted soon!
