Ready for some good news? -- "Restore" retreat 2010

There is a plethora of negative news stories any time we turn on the TV or surf the Internet. After spending the weekend with 21 amazing teens and 6 incredible adult leaders on the first Kenosis retreat, "Restore," I figured now would be a great time to stop and reflect on some good news.

• Watching teens from Eastside, Westside and Kentucky, public, private and home school, gathering together for a weekend, creating new friendships.
• 21 teens in complete silence reflecting for 10 minutes on each talk with a printed meditation and reflection questions.
• "Clock appointments" -- opportunities for the teens to spend 10 minutes in a one-on-one conversation to get to know each other.
• Night prayer on Friday and Saturday night.
• 1 priest for Saturday Mass, 1 priest for Sunday Mass, 4 priests for confession and 1 transitional deacon for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament -- all joyfully sacrificing their time to serve the teens.
• 2 seminarians spending their entire Saturday at the retreat, serving as sacristans and servers, and interacting with the teens, as witnesses of men who are actively discerning and responding to God's call in their lives.
• The amazing surprise of all of the men (teens and adults) serving the entire Saturday dinner. I don't know if I have ever seen so many glowing faces. The girls were glowing in appreciation of the gift, and even the guys were glowing in their acts of service. From leading girls to their chairs, pulling their chairs out, taking their orders, serving their food and taking the dishes, it was an honor to watch the joy and selflessness in the room.
• Listening to the cook tell me how impressed she was by the group of teens.
  
• Saturday night Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, with beautiful praise and worship music and opportunities for deeper prayer.
• Everyone going to Confession.
• Saturday night Talent Show. Oh, yes, this was a very talented group.
• Together asking for Our Lady of Guadalupe's intercession for Kenosis on the date on which we usually celebrate her feast day.
• Observing the mutual respect between the teens and the young adult small group leaders.

All in all, what a blessing! Thank you for all who prayed for the teens this weekend. It would not have been possible without you. Please continue to pray for the teens, that their experience during the retreat will bear fruit in God's perfect timing.