Retreat bonds youth delegates

Enthusiastic Leduc teens find friends among the faithful

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Leduc

Not only can they pinpoint insightful experiences from the visit of the WYD Pilgrim Cross, they also know they have transformed from a group of strangers to kindred spirits.

"The blending together of these different personalities and different ages that came together to know more about our faith is so profound," Kayla Neufeld, 19, said.

Eighteen-year-old Sterling Sparshu, agreed, saying, "When you're learning about God, about yourself and about other people, everything comes to a different perspective."

A key point in the group's development was a three-day retreat they made in Hinton.

The injunction to love God above all things and to love one's neighbour as oneself became clearer to Sparshu at the Hinton retreat.

"That Hinton retreat really drove it home," he said.

Sparshu's experience of Church life has changed. Before, he would go to the church with his family and go home after Mass.

Since preparations for WYD began, he became more active in the Church and became more aware that his parish is a real community where he can find friends. He did not expect such a change in his understanding.

"Because of this group, my faith is a lot stronger and deeper." - Ian Meaden

"I think after the WYD I will continue to grow. I think I will be more aware that there are other young people in my parish that I can bond with," said the teenager.

Ian Meaden, one of the co-coordinators, added he too became more active at St. Michael's Parish.

"Because of this group, my faith is a lot stronger and deeper," said Meaden. He attending University of Lethbridge and moved to Leduc almost a year ago.

He now has a stronger commitment to God and a deeper sense of the Catholic Church.

"I'm praying for the group that we go there and take the chance to grow with each other and to grow in the love of God."

One bonus for Meaden is having a whole bunch of friends who share the same values. "I made it clear from the get-go, that I would like to see this group become really good friends and I would like that to continue after WYD."

He hopes the group stays connected even when others move on to other phases of their lives be it attending university or working in another town or city. After the Toronto event, Meaden wants to at least still meet for coffee with his group, email each other or go to church together. "Just so we can still grow together," he said.

Eighteen-year old Suzanne Jobse does not even mind the prospect of sleeping on a gym floor while in Toronto. "As long as I am there and become part of this huge faith celebration."

As part of their preparations, they read and shared among themselves the Salt and Light book.

Neufeld liked the Church history part of the book. One can find how the Church had been through different stages, trials and persecution. "It remained the same Church that Christ founded, but it kept growing. I think I will be able to grow with it now that I have a genuine interest with my faith."

Sparshu agreed, saying, "The book is not like a textbook that you refer to, to understand something. It's about faith. The testimonies and other materials included in the book speak so eloquently."

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter