Christian students reflect during Lenten retreats
The Episcopal Campus Ministry and Catholic Student Association organized retreats to celebrate the season of Lent this week.
Eleven ECM members met at the Calvary Episcopal Church on Saturday morning to carpool to a cabin in Rocheport, Mo., Chaplain Joe Chambers said.
“The main focus of the retreat is to relax,” Chambers said. “It seems a lot of students have their schedules so packed there’s no time to really think about things. This is just a chance to be with their church friends.”
Students went hiking, played games, watched a movie and cooked meals together, Chambers said. ECM members returned Sunday morning.
“Because we’re in the season of Lent, it’s a great time to take a retreat,” Chambers said. “Lent is a great time to look in and focus on why we are what we are, and why we believe and what we believe.”
The Catholic Student Association will go to Camp Trinity in Haven, Mo. for their “Rise Up” retreat from Friday to Sunday, according to the St. Thomas More Newman Center Web site.
Director of Campus Ministry Angelle Hall said the retreat will be based on the Paschal Mystery, which is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During the retreat, there will be mass, reconciliation, time for reflection and four talks, Hall said.
Hall said the “Rise Up” theme is based on Ezra 10:4: “Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.”
“That’s what we’re challenging them to do, rise up in their lives and look at their relationship with God and grow closer to God,” Hall said.