Passionist Youth / Young Adults Retreats - July 2010

On the 6th July, 29 youth (who responded to an invitation) met at a wet, muddy Rangi Woods Camp (Pohangina Valley). Camp Rangi is away from any cell phone coverage, shopping and city life, which was a huge sacrifice for some.

 Fr Brian Traynor (Passionist Priest) came across the ditch to lead our youth retreaters in self-reflection, global reflection and… line dancing!  Brian has a wealth of experience when it comes to retreats and missions.  Using simple language and showing interesting, relevant examples, Brian was able to grab the group’s attention from day one.  Topics like Who am I, my life journey,  how do I relate to others, God, myself, were well received.

Each small discussion group was supported and encouraged by a leader, this year thanks to   Tori Prendergast, Kieran Uddy , Tim Eder and Farani Penitito along with Rose Comber and Paul Patch (Darbyshire) whom all generously gave of their time and together added deeper meaning with their own different personalities and life experiences.

With the help of Joan McLellan, Norma Bellamy and Vanessa McCormack in the kitchen they were all kept well fed.

The Samoan influence initiated song and dance with 3 part harmonies. This made the opening night very warm and welcoming and started a nightly event of entertainment, to the point of girl’s vs the boys to compose and sing ‘amazing’ graces.

With the weather not being kind, the outside activities were limited apart from a game of touch in the mud, late night walk to the glow worms caves and the occasional outside walk and reflection to the cross in the bush.  But there was plenty of fun had with indoor games, stories, dance and music.
 
After 4 days (and one night with little sleep) the bonded group departed tired and weary but not worn out enough to request another retreat next year.

 With the increased number of teenagers attending this retreat, it is obvious we could use some more adult help next year. Anyone able to donate their time to next years camp – either as kitchen helpers or supervisors could contact Linda (06) 354 6171. Next year the retreat is planned for July.

Norma and Linda believe in the value of exposing our young people to the Passionist charism. We pray that the retreat helps sustain each young person as they continue their life/faith journey.

The photos reflect the spirit of the retreat.

Here's what some of the retreaters have to share:

ANNIE:
My experience at the Passionist Youth retreat was one I won’t be forgetting.  I absolutely loved it!! I was the only person who came from my town and so knew nobody else at the camp.
 As I arrived a couple of hours late I was, to be honest, a bit worried about being a loner. But as soon as I got there, there was such a friendly and welcoming atmosphere where the leaders made you feel looked after and cared for. Within ten minutes I was already learning everybody’s names and making friends.
One of the best things about this camp was the people that went. They were so cool and it was so awesome to make such great friends that I have common interests and particularly common beliefs with, friends that I have kept contact with and seen since the camp.
The camp leaders were all so friendly and such great people that you could tell really enjoyed working with us. They were always smiling and laughing with us and making the camp so much fun for us.
The camp was in such a great location, it was such an awesome place to be and related really well to the content in our sessions, so we were able to look at and experience what we had just been learning about. What we were taught was really helpful and enlightening stuff. A lot of it was around what I had already thought or believed and so it was good to get a deeper meaning of it and just strengthen those beliefs.
 Also being able to discuss our feelings and thoughts on what we were learning in our small groups. It was sort of relieving to be able to talk comfortably with a group of like minded people all around the same age about our faith and beliefs, something which is difficult to do in home or school situations.
The only thing I would suggest about changing the camp would be to make it longer! It was such an awesome camp!! I cannot wait to go again next year!!

CAMERON
Making heaps of new friends
Enjoyed learning about ‘the beginning’ of the world, Christian beliefs verses scientific argument.
The self evaluations, learning more about yourself.

MITCH
I had heaps of fun at retreat and made some really good friends.  I am still in contact with most of the people and plan to be for a while. 
The christian base behind the retreat helped me to understand God and all that he does, better.  Thank you for this experience and hope to see you next year.

JONATHON
The Youth Retreat was one of the best gatherings I’ve been to. Everybody was most welcoming and extremely friendly even though we’re from different cultural backgrounds. I made many new friends there. The team discussion sessions were very educational and the nights’ activities were fun and everybody participated. The cabin rooms provided were cosy and warm with each outfitted with a heater. The food was delicious.  Even getting our food is a fun activity with each team having to compose a song for grace. I intend to go again next year and I will be encouraging all youths in our parish to join us there.

MICHAEL
I found the retreat to be very interesting and a whole lot of fun. At first I thought I wouldn’t know anyone there  and that the few days I was there would be very boring I found it not only an interesting thoughtful experience but a time to realise that I can make friends and just how misjudged people can be. Not only did I get to know a whole lot more people and make quite a few more friends I also realized that I can do things that I never thought I could do. I will treasure the experiences I had there and am looking forward to returning next year, and to anyone who is thinking about going...definitely go!!

NIC
The Youth Retreat programme was an adventure into myself.  I got to learn about myself and do things and activities that made me confident, especially in singing!  It was easy to make friends and also you always felt like you belonged.  I will never forget about the volunteers who made the food and I also thank Father for coming all the way from Australia to help us learn more about ourselves.

KATE
I realise that my answer is really late, and I'm sorry. But I want to let you know how much I appreciate it that you invited Angela and I to the retreat. I was a great experience, and I'd love to go again. Retreat was a great place to meet new people and make new friends. Thanks so much for inviting us and for all your considerable efforts to make the retreat go ahead.

ANGELA
I'm so sorry for not replying to your letter sooner!
Thanks for organising the retreat, I really enjoyed it! J
I found the sessions really helpful, fun, and interesting. They helped me see myself and my life in a different way and I learnt a lot.
It was great meeting so many awesome people.
The games were heaps of fun and the food was delicious!
It was a wonderful experience that I won’t forget.
Thank you so much!

The Passionionist Family Group Movement in conjunction with the Palmerston North Diocese Young Adult Ministry, offered a  Passionist Retreat for 19-30 year olds,  which  was held  at Bridge Lodge in Otaki over the weekend of 9-11th July and was attended by 25 young adults.

The young adults retreat was facilitated by Fr Brian Traynor  CP from Australia.

Sonia’s reflection from the closing ritual sums up very well the thoughts, and experiences shared over the weekend.  The time spent though only short proved good food for the soul.

Reflection Retreat 2010 by Sonia Hawke
(Accompanied by Liz and Daniel to the music of How Great is Our God) 

We came to retreat 2010 with many goals, hopes, and desires

1. To meet new friends
2. Time out
3. To become closer to God
4. To heal
5. To have fun

We learnt religion is all about life.
We witnessed the realities of our life, the expanding universe with all its galaxies, the challenges of those less fortunate than us, the changing environment, destruction of the natural habitat, the pressures of a consumer world forcing us to live within perceived and planned obstelecence.

We were faced with questions???
Questions of

1. Hope
2. Faith
3. Love
4. Compassion
5. Justice

We all know what our own questions are that we are facing currently in our life with all its challenges.

Questions of

1. Why
2. How
3. Where
4. What
5. When

But the biggest thing in life is to remember the Who.
The foundation of our faith.

If its one thing I learnt from this retreat it is the more questions you find the answers to, the more questions arise.

There is no black or white or even grey.
No matter how mysterious it may be.
There is only the Lord Creator of our universe.
How great is our God.

THOMAS
I have been attending Passionist Family Group retreats for four years. Each year I come away from the retreats uplifted and wanting more, because I gain so much from what is offered. The most recent retreat helped me make, and build on existing friendships. In addition, it created an environment where I could share my faith with many like-minded young people. Finally, it inspired me to question and deepen my understanding of what it means to be Catholic.  I thoroughly recommend attending Passionist Family Group retreats to all young people, because they promise many awesome experiences and memories that will change your life and strengthen your faith.