A few days ago I met with members of our retreat team to start preparing for an upcoming retreat for Sacred Heart PSR middle schoolers in Emporia. We spent time growing as a team, preparing for the talks, and – most importantly – practicing the games we’ll play at the retreat.
During our time together, I shared a story I read about one man’s conversion from atheism back to his Christ (and now a priest!) I pointed out that, in his story, it was when he was invited to a retreat that he didn’t really want to go to, but he went anyway, and that is where his faith was rekindled. We can never underestimate the miracles God can perform in our hearts, even through just a one-day retreat.
I asked the team, if they felt like sharing, if they had ever experienced anything like that. Everyone had had something happen in their lives where God showed Himself to them, in simple yet profound ways.
One team member shared that while she had attended a Teens Encounter Christ retreat recently, she admitted that she felt like it was hard to fall in love with someone you don’t really know. While in prayer time in front of the Blessed Sacrament, a question formed in the back of her head:
“Jesus, who even are you?”
In that time of prayer, she felt a simple yet profound response laid on her heart:
“I am the best friend you never knew you had.”
For her, this simple response sparked a fire in her heart and in that moment, a true and personal connection with Christ ignited.
Each time we present our Truth for Youth Retreats, though we are only there for one day, we have the opportunity to allow God to speak to the hearts of the young people and to show them how much they matter and how much they are loved.
Through the personal testimonies our team of young people share, time in small groups or one-on-one conversations, and simply just by being present, we are able to exemplify the truth of who God has made them to be, how to enter in a personal relationship with Him, and to live every part of themselves for Him.
Pray for us, in this new year as we prepare for a busy spring of retreats! Pray for the young high schoolers and college-age young adults on the team and especially for those who will attend our retreats – that their hearts be open to the seeds of Grace God wants to plant in their hearts.
Help us treat the teams after the retreats with your generous donation.
Thank you and Happy New Year!
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