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BOONE — Thirty-seven high school students attended a weekend retreat at St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country in Boone March 2-4. They accepted the opportunity to come spend time in the mountains for these two days in the middle of Lent – to become open to grace, to listen to God's voice, and to grow in charity, hope, patience, self-control and so much more.

The students and staff represented 13 different churches from across the Diocese of Charlotte, supported by 10 leaders and chaperones during this event that the diocesan Youth Ministry Office hosts each Lenten season.

Pictured: Thirty-seven high school students from across the Diocese of Charlotte attended a weekend retreat at St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country in BBoone March 2-4. (Mike Murray, Catholic News Herald)

The weather outside on Friday, March 4, was in the 50s as the retreat began on the beautiful hillside in Boone and ended on Sunday with the beauty of snow and winter temperatures. Inside, the warmth and the love of the Lord grew much stronger as students grew in further understanding of God's beauty.

The students were enthusiastic about the weekend. The retreat focused on becoming virtuous disciples of Christ, with the theme "Love that Never Fails" – taken from the 13th chapter of St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, which tells us that God is Love and we are called to love as He does. We have the perfect example of how we should love by imitating Christ, who is the perfect example for us to follow.

In John 10:10, Christ, the Good Shepherd tells us, "I came so that you might have life and have it more abundantly." The students discussed how this could be accomplished, and the retreat concluded with each student thinking about what is their ultimate identity, purpose and meaning of loving like Christ.

Many of the students found that the retreat's service project was one of their most gratifying experiences. Putting their faith into action, they formed groups and went into the community. The students were divided into teams, spending time with the residents at Deerfield Assisted Living making cupcakes, sharing time with residents and straightening things up, or visiting the hospice center and spending time with the residents and making cards for them. Some visited the Hospitality House and helped feed and visit with the poor. Others helped St. Elizabeth Parish with cleaning, straightening and picking up the nursery and maintaining the road near the church.

Prayer, presentations, small group sharing, song and reflection, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and confession were vital parts of the weekend retreat, of course. Students enjoyed the overall experience and commented about being "closer to God," being "touched by God," and "understanding how our actions affect others."

The team of adults and adolescents worked diligently to facilitate the weekend, but they also left receiving many blessings for their efforts.

When asked why this youth Lenten retreat is so special, diocesan Youth Ministry Director Paul Kotlowski said, "It is a blessing when youth and others come together. They find themselves on a journey encouraged in faith – and inspiring each other."

Find out how you can help

The Diocesan YOUTH MINISTRY OFFICE is funded in part by your contributions to the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. To learn more about the 2012 DSA campaign "Called to Serve," and to support the 50-plus programs or services it funds in western North Carolina, go to www.charlottediocese.org/ministries-a-departments/sdevelopment.

— Mike Murray, correspondent