Annual Connect retreats seek to strengthen students’ bond with each other and God

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Bella Young

Multimedia Correspondent

The Youth Ministry Office of the Diocese of Covington hosted what is known as a “Connect” retreat, Feb. 22, for sixth, seventh and eighth graders of the Diocese at Thomas More University, Crestview Hills. This retreat, which happens three times a year, serves to bring students together in community and helps them build a relationship with God.

Michelle Bump, senior theology student at Thomas More and a member of the leadership team, said, “The point is really to bring all the parishes together as a community … it is a time for them to come together for community and for faith and to get to know Jesus a little bit better.

“Any retreat, in particular Connect, is an opportunity for students and young people to get away from the craziness of their daily lives. Students are always packed with school and sports and extracurriculars and family time and friends. It can be really overwhelming … Connect is a special opportunity for students to take that step back and remember their roots, get back to the foundation of, ‘I am a child of God, and this is my time to spend with the people around me,’” said Ms. Bump.

During the retreat students break into small groups and hear from different speakers, they play ice breaker games, get know each other, sing worship songs and participate in Eucharistic adoration.

“We start with the ice breakers … get people comfortable with each other because that way when it is time to pray and praise the students feel more comfortable being themselves and openly worshipping Jesus,” said Ms. Bump.

This year, 130 students attended, a welcome increase from the 80 that attended last year. The students came from all over the Diocese, with many also being either homeschooled or attending a public school.

Angie Poat, diocesan Youth Minister, said about the 47 percent increase in attendance, “it’s really special, it speaks to the desire and the need this is filling … it is like casting the nets, come one, come all.”