Day retreat for teens at Holy Family quenches a thirst for God

On March 6, thirty-three high school teens attended a day-retreat hosted by Corpus Christi’s Holy Family Parish Youth Group, CONNECT. CONNECT is an integral part of the program of preparation before the teens receive the sacrament of confirmation. It is an experience, a life style, that aims at building up the “Three Connections:” the connection with God, which is strengthened and completed by the connection with our neighbors, and that eventually leads to a greater connection with ourselves – with our most authentic identity.  

During the early morning hours of the March 6 retreat, “Bishop Michael Mulvey listened attentively as members of the core group and the team of teen leaders shared of the profound impact that being part of CONNECT has had on them, and of how they attempt to put into practice the Gospel and the ‘Art of Loving’ in their daily lives. [“The art of loving” sums up the characteristics of God’s love and is outlined in Bishop Mulvey’s pastoral letter in the section entitled, ‘The DNA of Communion.’ ]

It was evident that Bishop Mulvey very much enjoyed the testimonies, and that he really connected with the group. If fact, he abandoned the text he had prepared and instead recounted story after story of how he tries to live out the Gospel and cultivates his “friendship” with Jesus.
 
During the afternoon hours, it was time for fun and games outside. After months where many had been cooped up in their homes, it was so beautiful to see the teens running, laughing and connecting. 
 
From games, we transitioned to a powerful skit highlighting how the dark emotions evoked from the pandemic can be transformed by God’s personal love for each of us. The retreat ended with an hour of Eucharistic adoration, praise and worship and an opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. More than three-quarters of the youth received the sacrament.
 
It was truly inspiring to witness how engaged the teens were during the whole retreat, their thirst for God and authentic relationships, and how they are leading the way courageously, together. 
 
On Saturday, we experienced that Holy Family is more than just the parish’s name but is actually the reality that we live together and that we want to keep cultivating within us and outside of us, for others.
 

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Impressions of teens…

“This has been the best day ever, since the pandemic hit! When is the next one?” Isaac, 16

“If you tell me that we are doing this again tomorrow, I’ll come. No doubt!” Emmanuel Rangel, 15

“This retreat came at a time when I really needed it” Jazlein Valadez, 17

“I’m just so happy to be here. There is this presence. I don’t know how to describe it.” Angel

“Something I take away is what the Bishop said: that Jesus will always be my best friend!” “From now on I want to start and get closer to God.”

“I’m going to be more open to God”

“My experience was AMAZING. This is what I’ve been missing! I learned that God’s love is greater than everything.”

“Not being afraid… It made me want to look forward in life… I learned things that I can use to help others too.”

“It was AMAZING. I definitely look at Jesus differently now!”

“I was happy to be able to go to confession. I haven’t gone in a long time. I really needed it! Also it was great to connect with others. I made new friends.”