This
year’s JUCCC Retreat can be summarized with four phrases: plumbing, crazy
hour(s), hipster priest, and snowman roadkill. It was a packed two days and two
nights, a whirlwind of taking on and off shoes twenty three times a day, but
not a moment passed by that an incredible memory wasn’t created.
We
arrived at Fair Havens Ministries on Saturday night and began our retreat with
a toaster activity that doubled as an icebreaker and a midnight snack. Strange
toppings that should never be seen together on toast—carrots and ketchup? bacon
bits and sweet ‘n sour sauce?—were eaten by anyone who had the toast pop up
from the toaster while they were answering a question.
A mini
singspiration and opening mass conducted by Father Kuzma set the spiritual tone
for the rest of the retreat. This year’s theme was “Faith in Action” where
Father Kuzma gave several talks about the importance of mass to Catholics and
the seven deadly sins. Father Kuzma was not only an incredible speaker who
answered many of the questions we young people have surrounding our faith, but
he was also quick to make jokes, down for jamming out on the piano during
practise, and a proponent user of calling fellow male friends ‘bro’. I mean, he
asked to do a group picture like this:
 |
| How cool is that? |
Singspiration,
Divine Mercy, and Adoration music was led by LCCC (and the amazingly talented
pianist from MCCC!) on Sunday, where they brought the beauty of their voices to
praise the Lord in song.
Although
a plumbing incident forced all the girls to relocate lodges, this mishap
allowed the wonder of God’s presence to be reflected through the way everyone
pulled through together. The retreat coordinators generously provided another
lodge for all the girls (one with incredibly soft mattresses, individual
washrooms, and double beds), the drivers shuttled the girls between sites even
if it was 3am in the morning, and everyone helped to make sure the girls had
everything they needed for the night. Things don’t always go according to plan,
but God certainly never leaves us stranded!
Not
only did everyone grow spiritually through Father Kuzma’s talks and the
liturgical aspects of the retreat (thank you, MCCC), but everyone had fun
chilling, playing games, and talking till all hours of the night. Old school
music was unashamedly sung throughout the night, heartfelt messages were
written for one another, and some crazy muscle skills were exhibited.
The
retreat ended on Monday afternoon with many sad goodbyes—but not without a
final laugh when a snowman was built and filmed as it was run over by a car
(we’re not sadists, I swear). All in all, the retreat was a wonderful time for
people to reconnect with old friends, meet new people, and rediscover their
faith with God. With the hustle and bustle of school, we often forget what it’s
like to take a break from the world and spend some time with the Big Man
upstairs—and what it’s like when thirty people sing backstreet boys together at
2am in the morning!
