Considering a winter retreat? Students reflect on past experiences

Photo: Margarita Hernandez, January 20, 2017

Campus Ministry’s winter retreat is February 3-5 in Concord, West Virginia. In preparation, students discuss how last semester’s retreat impacted them.

By: Margarita Hernandez

“If you’ve never been then I would say why not try it? If you’ve had this desire to go then just do it one time, if you don’t like it then you don’t have to do it again,” says Associate Director of Campus Ministry Ashton Mallon.

For at least fifteen years, Campus Ministry has gone to Sandbridge, Virginia for beach retreat. Although the students are only required to pay $40, the total for beach retreat costs approximately $13,000. According to Mallon, their desire for beach retreat is for students to come to know who God is to them. This brings about the theme: “Who do you say that I am?” (based on Matthew 16:15). Mallon strongly believes that your life should not be the same after attending a retreat.

Throughout beach retreat students participated in fun activities such as free time at the beach, a sand castle competition, and a game of Frisbee. The Catholic aspect of retreat was seen through attending Mass, spending time praying in Adoration, sharing thoughts within small groups, and hearing other students give talks and testimonies about their faith.

Junior Nicole Ferree gave a testimony about the struggles she has faced within her faith and how they have strengthened her. Ferree shares her experience of sitting in front of a crowd and getting personal:

“Giving my testimony at beach retreat was something I never thought I would do, but it was in that moment that I felt closest to God. It was such an eye opening experience sharing what I thought was so personal, but when I started to share my story I realized that it wasn’t my story, it was God’s story and it was the story that He gave me to be able to show others how powerful His love is.”

In-between talks and testimonies a student choir led the retreat into praise and worship, which sounded like a symphony of young adults praising Jesus as it echoed throughout the room.

Songs were not the only thing echoing throughout the room; students say the presence of God quickly filled up the house and hearts of many.

“Witnessing the beautiful ways God worked through others,” solidified freshman Ren Munsterman’s faith even further.

In addition, senior Jimmy Carroll describes how his experience on retreat transformed his relationship with God: “I feel more confident that everything God has put in my life is more than enough. He allows me to be more at peace with my life… I trust Him more.”

As the retreat furthered, a togetherness formed within spending an entire weekend seeking God with other students. It was very clear that the houses were bursting with pure love and comfort. Carroll agrees by describing that students were mutually honest and open with one another.

He describes the retreat as a humbling experience, and advises both regular retreat attendees and newcomers to give it a chance.

“Be open to trying new things, be open to an experience where you get away from the world and distractions… and even if you’re not use to the whole God thing, try to open yourself [up] to God, just to hear if He has anything to say. Just get to know the guy,” he said.