In comparison to all thus far, this past weekend was one of the most exhausting, but one of the BEST yet. We had our student leader retreat at a local camp, and it was FABULOUS. Student leaders are those on campus who lead bible studies and who we mentor on an individual basis. We challenge them continually to grow closer to Christ, and to realize that the love that He has for them must be communicated to those whom they serve. The weekend was meant to allow them to encounter the depths of Christ's love on a deeper level through talks, adoration, Mass, and fun time with each other, ultimately building them up to come back and serve their peers refreshed and full of joy.
Friday night we arrived, had pizza and hung out, and then had a candle-lit Mass in the gym. The priest that celebrated Mass was a graduate from UNL himself, and was involved in FOCUS as a student leader while still a student. He gave an awesome talk, and was able to challenge students to reach out to their peers through sharing how the students that reached out to him were instrumental in his conversion and ultimately in pursuing his vocation. Best line of the night from Father: "You have to love the hell out of them...literally!" The purpose of evangelization in a nutshell, right there! : )
After Mass, adoration began, and lasted until Sunday. The students definitely took advantage of Christ's presence throughout the weekend, and it was beautiful to see their devotion and desire to spend time with our Lord! (Example: Saturday at 5am, seven of us in the chapel praying! These students are HARD CORE!!)
On both Friday and Saturday nights, we had a campfire and a capture the flag game going. SO GOOD! The nights were beautiful, which was a great blessing, and the days were WARM!! (Praise God!) Saturday, we did a little missionaries-versus-students (we missionaries totally rigged it...) competition. It was great! We missionaries won, of course, but the students got REALLY into it and had as great time!
We had Mass again on Saturday, followed by lunch and some great game time. Saturday was Blessed John Paul II's first feast day, so we naturally had a party. It was a big success! On Sunday, we ended the retreat with a holy hour followed by Mass.
So what was the highlight of the week for me, aside from lots of Jesus-time? One student shared with us how she has been feeling called to enter the Missionaries of Charity, and how the weekend affirmed this calling for her. She also shared the joy that this calling gave her, and it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed.
Was it a lot of work to have such a big role in the longest event that I have ever helped with? YES! Was it worth it to have such awesome time with students and to be able to witness their drawing closer to Christ, as well as grow in their desire and resolve to share their Faith with others? HHEECCKK YYYEEAAHHH!!!! : )
God bless!!
