Campus Ministry Offers Springtime 'Walking with Jesus' Retreat to Maine

In the midst of exams, papers and practices, what better time than now to pack up and go to the beach for a weekend? Yeah, right! Who has the time? But for the 18 participants of the Campus Ministry spring retreat, March was really the ideal time for a beach weekend. These students, however, were not searching for the perfect wave or a better tan; they were seeking an improved faith life. The theme of this year's retreat was "Walking with Jesus." and correlates with the Lenten season as it focuses on forgiveness and the acceptance of Jesus into one's life. Students traveled to the Marie Joseph Center in Biddeford Pool, Maine, on the weekend of Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29. Campus Ministry picked up most of the cost for the weekend so that participants only paid $45 which included room and meal costs.

English major Caitlyn Miller '10 was this year's retreat coordinator. She explains that it was a weekend of spiritual renewal complete with talks, activities, and personal reflection time. Miller, who has gone on the past two spring retreats at the college, says that her participation has helped to strengthen her faith.

"I like helping to plan the retreats because it helps others," Miller told the Crier. She explains that people of all faiths are welcome to attend.
"We've had people who believe in God," she said. "We've also had participants who didn't believe in God and have been changed because of their experience."

One such student is currently in the process of becoming a member of the Catholic Church. Politics major Gregory Wallace '10 was baptized in a Christian church, but has not yet taken the Eucharist or been confirmed. After last year's spring retreat, he began thinking about fully returning to the church and joined the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, or R.C.I.A., class in the fall of 2008.

The RCIA is a program for adults who wish to be part of the Roman Catholic faith. The group here on campus, of which Wallace is a member, meets two nights a week. Led by Fr. Bernard Disco, O.S.B., the group discusses Scripture, learns about the stance of the Church on important social and religious issues, and engages with peer guest speakers.

"The retreat for me meant exploring myself seriously in a way that I couldn't do when I was a child because I wasn't ready for it," Wallace said.

When speaking of his experience, Wallace stated that there wasn't anything he didn't like about the retreat.

"There were a bunch of moments for me, such as learning about individuals and their own faith experience, and sharing a genuine fellowship with other people." Before embarking on this year's retreat, Wallace said, "I'm looking forward to an excellent experience. I have high expectations, but I know they'll be met."

Retreat team member Sarah Gingerella '10 also told the Crier about the powerful nature of the spring retreat. Gingerella, an International Relations major, was one of the four team members who gave a talk, a peer ministry opportunity, at this year's retreat. Gingerella spoke about the importance of the little things and acceptance of God in one's life.

"In order to tell people something about faith, you have to look at your own faith. I had never thought about my own story before," says Gingerella.

For Gingerella, the retreat was especially powerful because of her experience as both a team member and a participant.

"Anything I say that gets through to the participants isn't because of me, but because of God," she said. "It is an empowering yet humbling experience to know that God is using you for something greater than you are.