Florida Catholic | Retreat Challenges Girls To Find Time Daily For God

Retreat challenges girls to find time daily for God

RUTH JACKSON | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 05.08.08

t a “Challenge” Catholic youth retreat in April, girls rise to their feet and sing as Father Valdemar Maciag of Holy Family Parish accompanies them on guitar.

At a “Challenge” Catholic youth retreat in April, girls rise to their feet and sing as Father Valdemar Maciag of Holy Family Parish accompanies them on guitar.
Courtesy Photo

ORLANDO | The challenge of enjoying time with God in a busy world is not limited to adults. Young people also find it difficult to spend time learning about themselves and their faith, as well as deepening their relationship with God.

Jesus took his disciples on what might be considered retreats, while challenging them spiritually. Following in those footsteps, 19 central Florida girls, ages 10-15, met at Camp Ithiel in Gotha last month. Their quarterly retreat was part of “Challenge,” a Catholic youth leadership club sponsored by Regnum Christi. Regnum Christi supports Catholic families in their children’s faith formation through dynamic team activities and Christian outreach.

Father Valdemar Maciag, associate pastor at Holy Family Parish in Orlando, served as retreat chaplain. He heard confessions and celebrated Mass. At times, moved by the music and filled with the spirit, the girls rose to their feet and began to sing.

The girls shared some of their thank-you notes with the Florida Catholic to attest to the impact of the retreat. Natalie Guettler wrote, “With Father (Maciag) playing his guitar and us singing at the top of our lungs we raised the roof.”

Awareness of God and self were discussed as the girls explored their faith and their mission as Catholics in the world. “I learned to get closer to Our Lord in holy Communion,” noted Elizabeth Corkum, “and I also learned to love (myself) more.”

The girls grew in strength as witnesses. “I learned how to be a better friend of God’s and go against the current, to stand up for what’s right,” Heidi Earl wrote.

“Each time I pray my commitment prayers I’ll always think about how this retreat pretty much changed my life,” wrote Kate Stauduhar.

Kate’s mother, Karolee LASTNAME?, has also noticed the impact of Challenge. “This retreat allowed her to nurture her personal relationship with Jesus and left her with an experience of Christ in the sacraments and in the other people she met.”

That was by design. “Challenge took me back to my youth retreats,” said Father Maciag. “I want to have fun with God all my life and build my relationship with him. That was my goal for these girls, too.”

For more information on Challenge for girls or “ConQuest” for boys, go to www.challengeclubs.com or www.conquestclubs.com.

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Retreat challenges girls to find time daily for God

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