Oct. 29, 2014

By Kelly Donnelly
Contributing writer

On the first weekend of October, a group of 26 high school students gathered at Camp Guggenheim  in Saranac Lake for a weekend leadership retreat. 

Coming from all areas of the diocese, the teens spent the weekend in prayer, leadership workshops, and enjoying one another’s company.

The theme for the weekend was focused on the 1 Corinthians 13, including the song “Proof of Your Love” by For King and Country that is based on that passage. 

Organized by diocesan youth director, Deacon Brian Dwyer, the weekend was a chance for teens to grow in their leadership skills and deepen their faith.

The young people took part in several workshops which included time for them to discuss the content of the workshops in small groups. 

Mass was celebrated both Saturday and Sunday: on Saturday evening, the schedule also included a reconciliation service and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. 

The teens had time to spend with one another as they played a variety of games, met new friends, and reconnected with old friends.

Personally, spending time with the teens over the course of the weekend as a chaperone was incredibly inspiring, and I felt blessed to be a part of it. 

Hearing their reflections and insights on faith, and witnessing their exuberant joy in all that they did was incredible. 

Whether the teens were sharing in small group discussions, participating in Mass or Adoration, or singing and initiating random games, it was an absolute joy to witness their love for Christ. 

Since these teens came to a leadership weekend, I should have anticipated that they would already be strong leaders, but I was continually impressed with the initiative they took - from creating impromptu “around the room” skits to contributing to prayer, they were entirely committed to the weekend…and their faith.

Many of the teens voiced the fact that it is a struggle to go home and face peers and a society that is often ambivalent or disrespectful to Catholicism and religion. They also voiced the fact that diocesan events like this leadership weekend rejuvenate them and give them the courage to live out their faith.

Time and time again, I heard participants commenting that they felt at home, that this group felt like family - - it was a beautiful reminder to me of just how dynamic our family of faith is.