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December 20, 2023
The first weekend of Advent marked a transformative gathering at Holy Family Retreat House, where over 44 young adults congregated to delve into the Advent Season. The theme, "Joyful Anticipation," became a guiding beacon for participants as they explored the art of waiting and discovered ways to infuse joy into the waiting process – whether for the arrival of Jesus, navigating the challenges of education, fostering relationships, seeking employment, facing health issues, or other life transitions.
The retreat unfolded through a blend of powerful testimonies, small group discussions, the celebration of the Sacraments, and an abundance of fellowship.
The impact of the retreat extended beyond the scheduled activities, creating an environment where young adults felt refreshed, rejuvenated, and equipped with newfound joy. Many left with not only a deeper connection to the Advent season but also with the gift of lasting friendships forged during this shared spiritual journey.
We asked one of the participants, Matt, to share about his experience:I had the opportunity to be a part of the young adult retreat at the Oxley Holy Family Retreat house to start this year’s Advent season. I rely on these times, where I get to disconnect from my hectic day to day and focus on growing in friendship with our Lord and to enjoy fellowship with my peers who share these needs. The retreat gave me the opportunity to reflect on what Advent is all about and what my goals are for this season. Our main theme was “waiting” so this was the focus of most of my personal reflections. We are waiting for our Lord to come into our lives, but we need to be ready for His will for us when He does come. We need to be ready so that no matter what the Lord has for us, in his divine creativity, we are prepared to answer His call. This retreat also gave me the opportunity to connect with some good friends as well as some new friends that I made over the weekend. The scriptures tell us that “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Pro 27:17). When we come together as the Body of Christ, we can strengthen each other can deepen our relationship with Jesus. Being with other young Catholics has refreshed me and allowed me to enter a deeper connection with Him this advent season in preparation for Christmas and for the new year.
As the Youth and Young Adult Faith Ministry (YYAFM) office, we eagerly anticipate the continuation of this tradition, already looking forward to our next Advent Retreat in 2024. May the seeds of joy sown during this gathering continue to flourish in the hearts of all who attended, resonating with them as they navigate the seasons of waiting in the year ahead.