The Renew Retreat Experience
Edward Fitzpatrick
Around 30 O’Connell seniors left school for a two-day retreat at the Concord Retreat House in Yellow Spring West Virginia December 5. The retreat was an amazing opportunity to renew faith in God, relieve stress from schoolwork, and have a wonderful opportunity for students to spend time with their peers. For the 48 hour duration of the retreat, students spent time bonding with one another through team-building games and group discussions with the adult retreat leaders spending time talking about Catholic teachings. Students also attended Adoration and Mass, both of which were celebrated by Father McShurley. Instead of spending time on cell phones during the entire retreat, students willingly chose to spend their leisure time playing sports and walking around the retreat site. Everyone gathered around the campfire and roasted marshmallows at night, which further emphasized how much community means to everyone.
While the trip may have only lasted for two days, the students and leaders agree that it was a meaningful retreat that largely focused on renewing the Catholic faith and spending quality time with one another.
