By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent
Children and teens are busy. Between sports, clubs and school activities, the youth of today have a lot on their plates. Parishes in the Diocese of Trenton understand this as well as the need for youth to take a minute to catch their breath and spend quiet time with the Lord.
They are able to do this through a variety of retreat opportunities available during the year.
One area this rings most true is for children who are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation.
“We give them the opportunity to take a step back, to retreat. That’s what the word retreat means – to step back and get a better view,” said Mark Russoniello, a pastoral associate in St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft.
“The students preparing for Holy Communion have a hands-on retreat; they see the bread and wine and altar. For the older students receiving Confirmation, we ask them to take the conversation inward, to reflect in a sacred space about their personal encounter and relationship with Jesus Christ,” he said.
Barbara Rookey, director of religious education at Assumption Parish, New Egypt, agreed.
“Retreats are designed to give youngsters a chance to lift their heads and hearts to God as they prepare for their Sacrament,” she said. “It’s easy to get bogged down with the busyness of our everyday lives. A retreat gives us a chance to step away and focus on the grace God makes available to us in the Sacraments.”
Pat Colando, coordinator of religious education in St. Pius X Parish, Forked River, said retreats offer a different learning opportunity that can’t be taught in a textbook.
“A good retreat engages students mentally and/or physically to some degree and encourages them to think of things in a new way,” Colando said. “There is personal interaction that can be exciting and fun, and a good facilitator/speaker can keep a student focused and attentive by using a variety of methods.”
The days of recollection aren’t just for students either, as many parishes welcome parents.
“All of our retreats include one or both parents, and I feel this shows parents the importance of the Sacraments. It also provides quality time for the family and helps to refresh the meaning and significance of the Sacraments,” said Donna Millar, coordinator of religious education in St. Alphonsus Parish, Hopewell.
When it comes to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, parishes say retreats can help children live the faith alongside their peers.
“At our Penance Retreat, they are given the chance to view face-to-face or confessional with curtain. This helps them feel more comfortable when the big day arrives,” said Margaret Zola, coordinator of religious education for the parishes of Sts. Francis and Clare, Florence Township, and St. Mary, Bordentown.
Parish-School Connection
Parish religious education programs also work closely with their parish schools. Jessica Murray, director of religious education in Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly, reflected on how one of the best aspects of offering sacramental retreats is that it brings together parish and parochial schoolchildren for faith formation.
“These children very often are growing up in the same neighborhoods and sharing soccer fields, dance studios, etc., so we find that there are typically already friendships established when we hold the retreats,” she said.
Teens and older students are not left out of the retreat experience, either, as often, retreat leaders and programs are brought into the parish.
For example, international retreat leader Chris Stefanick has brought his popular “Reboot! Live” presentation to parishes and schools in the Diocese twice in the past two years.
Throughout the year, the senior class in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, participates in a Kairos retreat, which includes intense self-reflection on their lives, their relationships and choices. “This retreat helps our students to connect with themselves, their classmates and their God in a special way,” the school’s website states.
Seniors at Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton, head “down the shore” for their retreat and spend the day at Visitation Parish, Brick, before heading to the beach with their classmates. The school’s underclassmen also have scheduled retreat days throughout the year.
At Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River, a wide array of retreat options that include daily and overnight retreats are offered for students not only by grade level but by interests, too.
“In an age of distraction, retreats provide young people the opportunity to step away from their busy schedules and rest in the presence of God,” said Mary Beth DeBlasio, Donovan Catholic’s campus minister.
“Spending time with our priests, the campus ministry team and their peers in prayer and faith-sharing leads them to a greater understanding of their connection to the Body of Christ,” she said.