January Retreat For Teens Huge Success – By Alex Lorio

Power.  When many Christians hear of power they shudder at thoughts of a pandering first-century Roman governor or tyrannical twentieth century dictators.  But on January 4th- 6th, 435 teens and young adults were awakened with a new and far more glorious power:  the power of the Holy Spirit.

The annual 2008 CCRNO Holy Spirit Teen and Young Adult Retreat chose as its theme the words of Christ pre-Ascension when He told His apostles, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you” (Acts 1:8).  Christ’s words could be heard echoing down the centuries from Jerusalem to the campus of Nicholls State University where the retreat was held.  Teens from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Houma, Baton Rouge, Slidell, and New Orleans came together to open themselves to the life changing love of God.

The retreat kicked off Friday night with a talk on God’s love given by Academy of Our Lady theology teacher, Matt Bourgeois.  Bourgeois revealed the mind-exceeding reality of God’s love summed up in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans when the Apostle wrote, “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8).

Bourgeois then invited retreat goers to make a step towards Christ and he promised that Christ would not be outdone in generosity.   Christ backed up Bourgeois’ words throughout the weekend, as numerous teens and young adults were enlivened to the truth of God’s all-encompassing love.

Archbishop Chapelle senior and retreat attendee, Michelle Rau explained, “I felt that God could really understand the hardships I was going through prior to this retreat. I have gained a new outlook on many situations in my life, and I truly feel the pure and unconditional Love of God that was put on my heart.”

The retreat featured a slew of top-notch speakers on topics concerning salvation and the work of the Holy Spirit and a new session for college age young adults with talks on the necessity of spiritual combat by Mr. Courtney Brown, praying with the Psalms by Dr. Christopher Baglow, and the different forms of prayer by Mrs. Stacie Reynolds.

Saturday featured the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and a Eucharistic Adoration that welcomed retreat goers into the Sacred Heart of the Lord of Lords.  Prayer teams were available and many retreat attendees were baptized in the Holy Spirit and many were given His gifts of the Spirit.   The events were often similar to those of the Upper Room on Pentecost Sunday.

Sunday featured separate sessions for males and females followed by the conclusion of the weekend in the Holy Mass said by Fr. Peter Faulk.  Fr. Peter encouraged the young members of the Church to be fearless in proclaiming the Truth to a culture that groans so desperately for it.  One of the many signs of hope to be found on the retreat was the vocation call to which 35 young men and women came forward and expressed a consideration of the priesthood or religious life.

University of Louisiana Lafayette freshman Susan Peters proclaimed a few of the fruits of the retreat for her as she remarked, “It was awesome to see the Church and teens come alive for Christ.  It was great knowing that I’m not the only one and it really reinforced a sense of community in my faith and I praise God for that.”

 The retreat challenged the idea that the youth are simply the future of the Church and showed that while they may be the future they are at once the present as well. The young men and women on the 2008 CCRNO January Retreat received the promised power of the Holy Spirit, a power that promises to renew the face of the earth.