St. Mary’s youth take spiritual journey during retreat in Auburn

By Julie Codrey
Special to The Houlton Pioneer Times
    On Friday, Nov. 6, 10 youths, two adult volunteers and two chaperones traveled to Auburn to join approximately 500 others to attend Journey 2009. Journey is a profound Eucharistic retreat for youths where they are encouraged to pray for their vocation. The theme for this year’s Journey was “He is there.”
    Youths are encouraged to sincerely ask and listen for God’s call for their special vocation, whether it be a vocation to marriage, single life, religious life or to the priesthood.
    The weekend began with the music ministry leading the group in praise and worship. The group then prayed to the Chapel of Divine Mercy as they watched scenes from “The Passion.” Many youths were touched as they realized how much Christ suffered for their sins and His great love for them.
    Bishop Malone said mass with the youths and shared with them again how much he enjoyed being with them.
    Throughout the weekend, there were guest speakers and sharing groups. Some of the talks were: “I am the Bread of Life,” “Who is Jesus Christ?” “Theology of the Body,” “Call to Holiness” and “Mary, Star of Evangelization.”
    Bishop Malone shared with the group that it was fitting that we honor this particular weekend – St. John Vianney, patron saint of all parish priests for it was “The Year for Priests.” Bishop Malone wrote in his introduction, known as “the Cure of Ars,” he was particularly mindful of the permanence of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist. It was generally before the tabernacle that he often turning during his homilies, saying with emotion “He is there.”
Contributed Photo
JOURNEY YOUTH — The Youth Ministry of St. Mary of the Visitation participated with volunteers and chaperones in the Journey 2009 spiritual retreat in Auburn sponsored by the Diocese of Portland. Shown in front, from left, are Kim Levesque, Desiree Cole, Kaitlyn Dorr and Julie Codrey. In back are Patti Sloat, Rudy Levesque, Alex Lambert, Chelsea Sloat, Zacharia Harvey, Chris Harris, Jordan Codrey, Paul Griffin, Matt Sloat and Dana Codrey.
     The youth had the opportunity to pray the rosary as well as celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. The priest emphasized the importance of spending time with Jesus. He emphasized that he learned Jesus is not your buddy because a buddy will go along with whatever. Instead, Jesus is your friend because a friend will go along with you to a point, but will correct you when you are heading down the wrong path.
    The one event that the majority of the youth commented on after the Journey retreat was the teaching mass by Father Bob Vaillancourt. Matt Sloat, one of the youths said, “Now I know why we do what we do at mass.”
    As an adult attending the Journey retreat, Rudy Levesque said the only words that came to mind were “Awesome. I wish every youth and every adult could experience a Journey retreat. It gives you great hope.”
    One youth shared that she had come to pray about her vocation, but for now she knew her vocation was to love.
    For more information about Journey, contact Patti Sloat or Father Dave Raymond at St. Mary’s Rectory, 532-2871.