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!
