CONNECT returns in fall to lay a faith foundation for middle schoolers

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The Diocese of Covington’s Office of Youth Ministry is hosting the second of the 2026 middle school CONNECT Retreats, Nov. 20, at Thomas More University, Crestview Hills. Dexter Bent, junior at Thomas More University and Youth Ministry volunteer, organized this retreat around his own experiences with youth ministry in the Diocese with one simple goal — connection.

“The goal of CONNECT is for middle schoolers to connect with God and with each other. The main goal for me is to have a good time with the kids, get them some formation and put a positive correlation to the church,” said Mr. Bent. These retreats, he said, help middle schoolers form a strong foundation early in their own faith life, providing a first opportunity to choose the faith for themselves. “It’s a huge opportunity,” he said, “it’s a first step in them choosing the faith for themselves.”

This year’s fall CONNECT theme is “restless hearts, come find rest,” born out of St. Augustine’s theology on the restless heart which finds rest in the Lord. The middle schoolers will hear a series of formation talks about the theology and its application in their own life. “That search for meaning in earthly things and then realizing that ultimate meaning is found in their relationship with Jesus,” said Mr. Bent. After the talks, there will be opportunity for small group discussion facilitated by Thomas More University Students and Youth Ministry volunteers, “talking about the practicality of the faith and how it applies to them, bringing it down to their level,” said Mr. Bent.

Time for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and confession will be a central point of the day. “I think it’s very important to get youth in front of the Blessed Sacrament because not many students have the opportunity to frequent that sacrament. For them to be able to experience it and how much it means to me, it makes me happy because I know how much it can mean to them.”

Mr. Bent knows the benefits of Youth Ministry events firsthand, “I am who I am today because of Youth Ministry in our Diocese,” he said, “I see the fruits of it in my life, so I know that there’s so much potential there.”