The Catholic Youth Parramatta (CYP) team always feels a buzz of excitement during July as they anticipate and prepare for the LIFTED Retreat.
This year, the excitement grew even more with the increase in the number of retreats from one to three.
The decision to split this year’s retreats stemmed from conversations between the CYP team and young people across the Diocese.
It was acknowledged that young people of different ages have vastly different needs and experiences, and so the retreats catered to 16 and 17 year-olds; 18-24 year-olds; and 25-35 year-olds who all share a growing desire to deepen their connections, enhance their formation and share meaningful experiences with peers in their age group.
And what an incredible response we received!
Young people in prayer and worship during the LIFTED Retreat for people aged 16-17 at the Shrine of Holy Innocents, Kellyville. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Our theme for this year’s retreat, ‘Ruah’ (or ‘Ruach’), played a significant role in facilitating the positive experiences we had.
‘Ruah’, a Hebrew word often translated as ‘spirit,’ ‘breath,’ ‘soul’ or ‘wind,’ is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe the Spirit of God, the breath of life, or a powerful force like the wind.
This theme served as a powerful reminder that God’s Spirit is alive and active among us today. It highlighted the dwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts through baptism and the vibrant presence of God’s Spirit in the world around us, which we experience through faith.
Young people during Adoration during the LIFTED Retreat for people aged 18-24 at Carmel House, Varroville. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
While each retreat held the same theme, the way that this theme was interpreted in each age group, and the consequent dialogue which arose, was very different.
The group aged 18-24, with the help of Sr Katherine Kingsley MGL, spent significant time reflecting on the Holy Spirit as the person in the Trinity who transforms us.
Many of the youth aged 16 and 17 centred around their relationship with God and how they recognise God’s presence in their lives.
A core element of the retreat for the group aged 25-35 was the recurrence of God drawing near to people throughout history and throughout their own lives.
Young people in conversation during during the LIFTED Retreat for people aged 25-35 at Mt Schoenstatt Retreat Centre, Mulgoa. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
For our CYP team, a highlight was witnessing the formation of new friendships and seeing young hearts deepen their personal experience of faith through joy, community, prayer and reflection.
Participants from each retreat shared respectively that they “were able to share a space of vulnerability as people growing and understanding what it means to be Christ-like,” that they appreciated the “chance to spend personal time with God” and that they “encountered God in a refreshing and renewed way”.
One retreat goer said, “Separating the LIFTED Retreat into different age groups allowed for older young adults to connect about similar generational issues.” Another attendee commented, “LOVED the age bracket!”.
The CYP team hopes that the LIFTED Retreats will continue to serve as an opportunity for young people across the Diocese to reflect on their lives, be in community with others, and experience the presence of God.
Eleanor Bonwick and Sebastian Duhau are MET Facilitators – Catholic Youth Parramatta, part of the Mission Enhancement Team of the Diocese of Parramatta.
This article was originally published in the 2024 Season of Creation | Spring edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read the digital version here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
