(no subject)
I've decided to do a bit of a formal post. Well not so much formal as it is just telling what I've done since Summer has been under way.
Backstory:
Months ago I was asked to go on an interview by my Youth Minister, Kristen, who said that I'd be a great candidate for this retreat program that the Dioceses of Rockville Centre would "host", so to say. I interviewed and a few weeks after that she told me I was accepted into the program, that I had demostrated the leadership qualities that were needed for a candidate to go on this retreat. Truth is I never thought much of it, and how grateful I should have been to have been selected. To me at this point, it was just something to add to my resume, to show "how important religion is to me", and might make the difference of a college accepting me. There were meeting held for the whole group, to plan fundraising and to let the group know each other better. Kristen had stressed that she did not really know what we were stepping into due to the fact that this would be St.Anthony's first time entering the YouthLeader program, but that we should be excited to be going, and that she had heard that other parishes in the diocese would see this as a major retreat being that they were "highly selective" in who goes to see who would better serve the parish. None of my group really had a thought of what this retreat was about, which I guess made it better because we went in with no expectations, nothing for this retreat to live up to, which means we would not be let down.
YouthLeader Week:
The first day was focused on getting everybody to know everybody else. Many icebreakers, and Session number one. Sessions are the "Leadership Training Classes" you could say. These were what the week was focused around (well except God). Truth is I was glad to meet my room mate, Mary, and to see that there was another Bridget on the trip (which was soon to be a bit disappointing because I usually know who people are talking to when they say "Bridget", needless to say, this got very confusing). We also organized into "Community Planning" groups, which were for the teeangers and adult advisors to organize different things to facilitate our stay on the retreat. I signed up for Lunch and Dinners for Tuesday and Wednesday. My fellow partners were Kristen G.(fellow parish mate), Dom, Matt, and Grace and Deacon Chris as our "advisor". To say the least we did plan some pretty awesome meals. Tuesday I got to know people better from free times and the social in the everning (which we did have day one, but I was too shy to really talk to anyone that I wasn't talking to before that). We also had sessions two through four, and let me tell you that was really hard to focus on, thank God that was the only day that we had three sessions. Wednesday we had sessions five and six. Wednesday we also had our final dinner planned, and it was sad to sign up for different "Community Planning" groups because I really liked the dynamic of my group. Truth is no reason to be sad because our group was the last to sign up and all that was really left was Wednesday night mass. I gave a "Witness Talk", which is a witness to God's powers really. The topic being "God's Calling". I'm not gonna go into detail about the talk, but I just want to say that I almost cried but I held my composure. Thursday was quite mellow, and I think it rained briefly that day, but before free time so we were able to go out on a beautiful day (again). We had to also plan the nights mass in four groups. Three for the mass and the last for the nights social. The three groups for the mass were Word and Scriptures, Music and Song, and Art and Enviroment. Word and Scriptures had to do with the readings for that night. Art and Enviroment had to do with the way the church was going to be set up. And the group I was in (Music and Song is you didn't figure that out) had to plan the music for the night. Our group worked very well together, spewing out many ideas for songs to play and having three guitar players (Tom, and adult, Matt and Cole, two of the teenagers). I somehow became a singer (yeah I know I suck, stop laughing please, it wasn't the first time I sang on the retreat) with Mary, Dani, Olivia, and Kathleen. Ronnie (another parish mate) became the planner/ recorder/ person who kept all the ideas in order for all of us while we sang and were disorganized. Thursday nights mass was fantastic, so was the social, and the priest was just great. Friday was the last day. In the morning everyone was like "It's the last day." I kept saying "We have a few hours left." This day was sad because it was the last day, and I felt horrible because I didn't really connect with as many people as I would have liked. The day was primarily focus on self observance and our goals as a person. And then there was the closing ceremony where we had to hold our hands with our right above the left (like you would when you recieve communion) as if we were giving a gift to out Youth Minister to use for the parish. I said I had the gift of music (*shrug*, I really noticed suring the week that I didn't just like music, I had a great passion for it, damn me for not bringing my violin!). Then after that I went to recieve my certificate from Marianne, my cross from Sister Eileen and got a hug from her and she whispered something in my ear, and a hug from Theresa who basically said the same thing to me. I got back to my seat and started crying from what they both said to me (sorry I'm not revealing what they said, if you care enough you'll ask me). Mary comforted me, and thought it was because I was nervous about being a "leader". I giggled at that thought, and never really explained to her why it was.
Prospective:
From this week I grew, not only as a leader, but as a person. I finally had confronted a problem of "mine". I learned that people really do care (which I was beginning to lose faith in). I Made some great friends who I really do hope I stay in contact with. Became closer with God (who before I was beginning not to believe in any longer). Overall I really did have a fantabulous (yes, that is a mix of fantastic and fabulous) time. I really miss everyone from the retreat, but on the upside I do have a reunion to look forward to! YOUTHLEADER 2006, definately one of the best times of my life that I don't think I'll be forgetting anytime soon.
-Bridget
P.S. The first photo is a photo of the view from the windows in my room and the second is a group picture. Both courtesy (even though she may not know it) of Mary St. Angelo.
P.P.S. Sorry this update is long, but I rarely update, so sorry.
P.P.P.S. My report card was very good and I no longer have an imcomplete in English and I'm back on the honor roll. HELL YEAH!