On January 3rd-6th, young people from across and beyond the Peterborough Diocese traveled to Sacred Heart church to attend the John Paul II Retreat. The JPII retreat is an annual youth event organized by the diocesan youth office and designed to deepen young people’s understanding of the faith by way of a series of lectures on various topics. It will help them become the leaders and builders of new civilization, a task which Pope John Paul II had entrusted to them. The focus of this year’s retreat was on matters of life and bio-ethical issues such as abortion, euthanasia, stem-cell research, genetic engineering, etc. We were blessed to have a renowned bio-ethicist and acclaimed writer, speaker, and pro-life advocate lead the retreat and present the nine lectures: Father Tom Lynch, professor at St. Augustine Seminary in Toronto and parish priest in Douro. He has served on many boards and committees dealing with medical issues, possesses a PhD in Bioethics from Alfonsiana University in Rome, was Dean of Studies at St. Augustine Seminary in Toronto and has a tremendous background of personal experiences promoting a culture of life from family history to pro-life advocacy.
Not all of the attendees came from our diocese. Like last year, we were very blessed to have a group of young people come all the way from Montreal to attend our retreat. Connections made in the past through previous presenters such as Fr. Tomas Jegierski have only deepened and have brought a new group of young people with two seminarians from Montreal who did not shy away to make the long bus trip to Peterborough.
For the 4-day retreat the youth office was fortunate to enjoy the cooperation of Sacred Heart Parish, Monseigneur Jamot School and St. James United Church: Lectures were held in the school next door, the Church hall was reserved for meals and social time, and sleeping quarters were set up at the United Church across the road. After registration on the evening of January 3rd, the young people received the retreat outline, name tag, and various other papers and brochures. An introduction was given by our own Krista Wood, VEYO’s Office Administrator and Assistant Youth Coordinator, went over the schedule for the retreat.
After all this, the entire group gathered in Monsignor Jamot school next door for the first lecture. All of the other lectures focused on the subjects of bio-ethics, including discussions on topics that dominate the headlines, such as abortion, euthanasia, stem-cell research, contraception, and genetic engineering. Fr. Tom used a variety of techniques such as videos, diagrams, and his very distinguished wealth of experience as a bio-ethicist to communicate these points. There was plenty of time for question and answer during and after the lectures to assist the attendees in their journey through these issues.
The retreat was certainly not devoid of any spiritual elements either. After wake-up and eating breakfast, the entire group gathered in the church for Morning Prayer, part of the Liturgy of the Hours, which is the official prayer of the Church. Mass was celebrated along with the parish Mass times, except for the concluding Sunday where Fr. Tom celebrated an afternoon Mass with the retreat group. Adoration and Benediction was held in the church each evening, along with the possibility of receiving the Sacrament of Penance. A period of silence was held just before retiring. This was done so to allow us to effectively hear God’s speaking to us and to reflect on the day’s lectures, which is something that can be lost in today’s noise.
Alongside all this was plenty of fun! The school gymnasium was generously loaned to us so that we could play games and sports such as soccer inside. Recreation time allowed us all to mix and mingle with each other so that we could all have a chance to get to know each other better. A talent show was hosted as well, giving each person a chance to show off the many talents they possess, such as dancing, acting, playing instruments, and clapping (a clapping game was played where each person had to clap their hands at varying speeds upon a cue!). We also watched a movie one night, which had a bio-ethical theme, making it an appropriate choice to watch.
Unfortunately, the retreat had to come to a conclusion. After gathering up their belongings and after Fr. Tom celebrated the concluding Mass, Fr. Norbert thanked Fr. Tom, the attendees, and all those who provided any kind of help, such as the making of meals. We all said our goodbye’s, packed up and waited for a ride home.
Looking back, I really feel blessed to attend an event such as the John Paul II Retreat. It has allowed me, along with all the other young people who attended a good look at the many issues that we will all be facing in the not too distant future. I really enjoyed the retreat and hope to attend the next one in 2008!
Thank you Fr. Tom for leading this retreat! Thanks goes out for Fr. Norbert and the staff and volunteers of the Youth Office for organizing the show, those who cooked the delicious meals and all those who helped out in any way, we are all very appreciative of your hard work!
