Isa Riano, Advertising Manager
Multiple campus organizations have planned events for students to get together and learn from valuable experiences to alleviate the stress of midterms. One of these groups is Saint Leo’s University Ministry. The Ministry leaders planned a multi-day off-campus retreat during which students journaled, learned from guest speakers, and participated in fun activities.
The retreat was held at Our Lady of the Rosary, in Land O’ Lakes, where students explored their relationship with God.
To begin, Ministry leaders encouraged students to get to know one another. As a result, they began with a “connection” game in which everyone found a partner who shared common interests with them.
Following this game, the students learned from Father Ed Hopkins, who talked about spiritual freedom. In his first session, he explained that God gives us freedom, but this means that we are free to love, not that we are free to hurt others with our words and with our actions.
Every session began with small groups led by Ministry leaders who gathered to reflect on the discussions, where students expressed gratitude for the retreat’s theme of freedom.
“It is fantastic that we’re learning about how we use the freedom God gives us to love in the world,” said Cheriyan Elanjickal, a graduate student pursuing a master’s in business administration in healthcare management.
Following Father Ed’s first session, the students participated in some recreational activities such as ping pong. Some of them also went to confession or confessed their sins to a priest.
Students appreciated the combination of recreational activities and faith-based discussions.
“I really enjoyed the retreat,”said Earnest Alexander, a senior majoring in hospitality management. “There were spiritual and entertaining sessions with amazing groups.”
Father Ed had two more sessions in which he deconstructed the concept of spiritual freedom. In the second, he explained that freedom also entails letting go of things or people that interfere with our relationship with God. In his most recent session, he stated that, while evil exists, there is no situation that we cannot overcome with faith and love.
Aside from the sessions, students were able to pray the rosary, have personal moments of meditation, and listen to the daily gospel and readings. During adoration, they also heard Catholic music played by Lucas Nocera, the music minister.
Nocera expressed gratitude not only to the retreat’s organizers but also to the students who attended.
“I appreciated that so many students took nearly an entire day to gather and pray,” Nocera said.
The University Ministry will continue to host retreats for all students throughout the school year.
Those interested in learning more about University Ministry or in getting involved should stop by the Ministry Offices—located on the second floor of the Wellness Center—or contact Nocera at lucas.nocera@saintleo.edu for more information. Students can also visit the University Ministry’s website at https://ministry.saintleo.edu/ to find resources and upcoming events.
