This winter, OLSH held its first ever MicRho Retreat, a retreat for freshmen and sophomores that acts as a precursor to the Chi Rho retreat, on December 1st through December 3rd, at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center. The group of over 40 students had the opportunity to disconnect with technology and the world to grow closer to God by participating in many activities like talks about growing their relationship with God from the student and adult leaders, Adoration, Mass, and small group discussions. Of course, they also played fun games and had lots of snacks! There were 6 groups, each represented by different teen saints. The blue team was Team Blessed Carlo Acutis, the green team was Team Blessed Chiara Badano, the red team was Team St. José Sánchez del Río, the purple team was Team St. Dominic Savio, the white team was Team St. Maria Goretti, and the pink team was Team St. Agatha of Sicily. 

Some of the student and adult leaders shared how being a leader at MicRho felt and how it helped them grow in their own faith life. Wesley Goshen, sophomore student leader, felt that being a leader was “an important experience for me as a growing Catholic” because it helped deepen his spiritual life and relationship with God. He said, “ It was fun and I loved that I could be proud of my faith and live that out in a radical way with people who have, or are looking for, that pride.” When asked what his favorite part of being a leader was, he said, “I had more people possibly looking up to me as an example of what living out the faith looks like. I think it is cool that the footsteps that I leave behind are being followed by others in a way, and I still try to keep my footsteps headed in the right direction after MicRho. I hope that people, whether I know it or not, are using my trail as a guide for their journey.” Oliver Tomsic, another sophomore leader, felt like being a leader was like being an altar server. He explained, “When I am altar serving I act as an extension of the altar, and on MicRho I was an extension of the Father’s love, ultimately serving Him by being a leader.” When asked how she thought that this retreat benefitted her relationship and the students’ relationships with God, adult leader Mrs. Sellman said, “Being able to see each other as individuals with self-worth, created in the image of God, and accept each person’s similarities and differences is a big part of the retreat experience. Expressing love for your neighbor is what God always calls us to do, and by just being with one another we were able to help each other grow closer to God and support one another on our faith journeys.”

Many people on the retreat felt deeply moved by Adoration. Sophomore Steph Twardy said, “Adoration was life-changing and helped me fully understand the love that Christ has for us.” Mrs. Wallover, another adult leader, was touched during Adoration. She loved seeing everyone grow closer to Jesus and each other during their time of being in the presence of the Lord. Adoration helped many grow in their faith and deepen their relationship with God.

Another great part about MicRho was the fact that everyone grew closer to each other as they grew closer to Jesus. Hope Avery, sophomore, when asked about this said, “ I feel that this experience has helped me grow my faith because I got to learn and get to know my peers who had their own experience like I had.”  Danica Nauman, freshman, felt like being with others who also wanted to grow in their faith helped her grow in her own faith. Betheny Shuagis, freshman, said she was able to grow closer with people she didn’t really know that well as she grew closer to God because of MicRho.

Everyone who went to MicRho echoed the sentiment that they felt like they grew closer to God and each other over the weekend. All the students can’t wait to go back and would definitely recommend it to their friends! The sophomores are looking forward to a chance to attend Chi Rho, a more rigorous form of the MicRho retreat, in the next two years. Freshmen are hoping to build up the faith and confidence to be MicRho leaders on next year’s retreat, following in the footsteps of the great student leaders who acted as shining examples of the faith during this first retreat experience.