Youth Ministry @ Our Lady of Victory

Lessons Learned from the New Life Retreat March 30, 2009

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:

1. It might be important to call those who signed up for an event to make sure that it was them that signed up.
2. Priests may not hang out with teenagers often, but they still know how to have fun.
3. 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.)
4. Slurping Jell-O through straw is not only possible, but it is extremely fun and makes for a great relay race.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Yes, high school teenagers can listen to Gregorian Chant without cringing.
8. Give high schoolers a blank t-shirt, some fabric markers and some puffy paint and they will challenge your faith.
9. 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.)
10. There is nothing like receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation right before you receive the Eucharist!
11. Receiving the Sacraments can fill you with joy and energy, even at 1:30 in the morning!
12. Six hours of sleep is apparently not enough sleep when you want to have a group discussion over breakfast.
13. 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?)
14. Seeing pictures of yourself and being reminded of your experience of God is always a good way to end a retreat.
15. 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.