Hispanic youth retreat focuses on God’s love, beauty of creation

As summer winds down, 23 young people from the youth group at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Cleveland participated in a daylong retreat at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Elyria. Father Damian Ference, diocesan vicar for evangelization, was retreat master for the Aug. 8 event. St. Michael’s youth leader is Sister Juana Mendez. Danny O’Brien provided music for the event.

Retreat participants were invited to reflect on God’s love, the beauty of creation, the reality of sin and the hope of redemption. Through prayer, conversation and shared activities, the retreat helped the young people see how God is present in their lives and how they are called to respond with faith, gratitude and mission.

Father Ference talked about the following four topics:

• God and creation: The retreat began by helping youth recognize God as creator and the source of all life. Participants reflected on the goodness of creation and their responsibility to care for the world, one another and themselves as gifts from God.
• Sin and redemption: The young people explored how sin can separate people from God, others, and their true selves. They also heard the good news that God’s mercy is greater than sin and that Jesus offers forgiveness, healing, and a new beginning.
• Sacraments and mission: The retreat connected the sacraments to daily life, showing how God strengthens us through grace and sends us out to love and serve. Participants were encouraged to see themselves as disciples who can bring hope, kindness, and faith into their families, schools, and communities.
• The Emmaus Walk: The Emmaus story helped the retreat participants understand that Jesus walks with them, even when they feel confused, discouraged, or far from God.

Hortensia Rodriguez, director of the diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, said the retreat “was an opportunity for youth to grow in faith, deepen their relationship with God and discover that they are loved, forgiven and called to mission. It reminded them that their journey with God is not walked alone; Jesus accompanies them, opens their hearts, and sends them forth to share his love with the world.”

St Michael the Archangel is one of the primarily Hispanic parishes in the diocese. Learn more about the parish and its ministries here.