November 23, 2015
AUBURN---“If we believe God created us, he created us so that we could serve him. And the way we serve him is to recognize that we were created out of love, and therefore, we are called to love. We are called to care for each other.”
The words of Bishop Robert P. Deeley during Saturday’s Mass at the annual Journey Retreat (Nov. 20-22) were met with warm smiles from the large crowd of spirited teenagers, driven to grow and deepen their faith during the weekend retreat at Saint Dominic Academy in Auburn (13 pictures below).
With the theme “Steeped in Mercy, Offered in Love,” the retreat drew 180 teenagers, a significant increase from 2014. Journey is centered on an encounter with Christ, invites young people to respond to Jesus by faithfully serving God and neighbor, and offers a sense of fellowship to those who participate.
“I become a little closer to God every year,” said Maria Andrew of Saint Paul the Apostle Parish in Bangor who was attending her third Journey retreat. “It’s a really great spiritual experience, and you get to meet so many new people and Catholic teens who share the same beliefs that you do.”
“My hope is that the retreat offers each participant, in their own way, an opportunity to encounter Christ profoundly and meaningfully, so that when they go home or they continue on, they are in some way transformed for the better through the experience,” said Fr. Seamus Griesbach, director of the Diocese of Portland’s Office of Vocations.
In addition to Masses, Scripture, and confession, the retreat features discussions led by clergy, women religious, brothers, and lay leaders, all carefully designed to help the teenagers better understand the Catholic faith. This year, topics included “The Eucharist” led by Sister Regina Cochran, a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist; “Reconciliation: Gift of the Holy Spirit,” shared by Abbot Matthew Leavy, O.S.B., from Saint Anselm College; “The Call to Holiness,” by Father Tom Carzon, director of seminarians for the Oblates of the Virgin Mary; “Who is Jesus Christ?” led by Sister Laura Downing, a Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; and “Mary, Star of Evangelization” shared by Sister Maximillian Cote, one of the “Running Nuns.”
Throughout the retreat, the Blessed Sacrament remains exposed, so that the teenagers, at any moment, can spend time with him.
“He’s there the whole time, and we can just go and talk to him and be by ourselves,” said Victoria Codrey from Saint Mary of the Visitation Parish in Houlton.
“It’s been awesome,” said Grady Connolly from Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford. “I think the greatest thing is adoration and how it’s a continuation throughout the whole day. It never really ends. He’s always there, and it’s just a great opportunity to be with him.”
“You can spend the time you need with him, and there is also confession available, so you’re able to experience God’s mercy and really feel enveloped in his love,” said Samantha Fortin of Parish of the Precious Blood in Caribou. “It’s beautiful.”
In a weekend full of beautiful, faith-filled experiences and the building of friendships that can last a lifetime, Bishop Deeley said that by spending time in prayer, the teenagers would come to know God’s plan.
“He wants us to be happy. He doesn’t want to steer us in the wrong direction.”