Some Assembly Required

by Sarah Chivers

Our Lady of Light's Director of Youth & Mission, Christen Aquino, found remarkable inspiration in our parish youth during this year's 8th Grade Retreat.

"This past weekend we held our first 8th Grade Retreat for Our Lady of Light Family of Parishes. The retreat theme, “Some Assembly Required,” reminded us that each of us are unique and unrepeatable, are here for a specific purpose, and our relationship with God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – gives us a foundation for living out our faith both now, into high school, and beyond."

As the retreat leader, Christen had the opportunity to witness EDGE students and school students come together and build community around their common faith. Sharing meals together served as a big uniter, as well as Saturday night's time in Adoration.

"I was sitting up front, eyes closed in prayer. After a few minutes of exposition, I invited the teens to take a comfortable position to pray and talk with Jesus. I heard loud noises and was about to say something to them when I realized that what I had heard was all of them coming up to sit before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament."

​When she opened her eyes, Christen saw not one or two, but the entire group of 8th graders together before the Blessed Sacrament.

"It's moment like this, watching young people “seek the face of Christ” as a community, that I’m reminded how powerful young people are in a parish. Our teens have the power to change the culture of our community for the better – to help all of us, young and old, seek the face of Christ more, and particularly in our worship at Mass and in Adoration."
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Even after a weekend retreat, several 8th graders were present Sunday evening for our Parish Mission, True Presence Night, and once again found themselves eagerly approaching the altar to be close to Christ.
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Please pray for the 8th graders in our family of parishes, who grow closer each day to graduation. Ask God for His many blessings upon them as they enter high school, so that they may continue to seek Him throughout their lives.