November 19, 2023

Confirmation retreat helps teens encounter Christ in the Berkshires

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

 

 

LENOX – Teenagers from all across Berkshire County preparing for the sacrament of confirmation attended a retreat at St. Ann Parish in Lenox, Sunday, Nov. 12 from 2-8 p.m. The retreat was run by Net Ministries, a national ministry which sends out teams of young adults to evangelize and help kids grow closer to Christ.

“So for this retreat, we wanted to bring all the students together for Berkshire County,” said Marya Makuc, who runs youth ministry for St. Ann Parish, St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Lenox Dale and St. Patrick Parish in West Stockbridge.

Makuc also leads the Matthew 5 Southern Berkshire Youth Group.

“This is an opportunity to take even more time with these young people. And Net Ministries gives us 10 young adult missionaries which is beautiful because some of these kids are 18 years old and the confirmation students are like 14. So there’s not really an age gap and that is so beautiful for them to see that they’re not alone in the faith,” she said.

Twenty-five teenagers attended the six-hour retreat which included talks, games, eucharistic Adoration and Mass. Youth from Psalm 33 provided the music.

“Through some exercises they have been doing here and through spending some time in adoration, confession and Mass and prayer, we try to slow down and touch the part of their hearts that they forget,” said Father John McDonagh, the pastor of St. Patrick and St. Raphael Parish in Williamstown.

During eucharistic adoration, Net Ministry missionaries prayed over the teens and several priests were available for confession.

 “Whenever I am grateful, whenever I am struggling in a class, I ask Jesus, ‘can I have some help.’ I am a three season athlete. Whenever I am busy and tired, I ask him for help and guidance,” said Nolan Barnes, a member of St. Patrick and St. Raphael Parish.

The evening concluded with Mass. The teenagers fully participated, joining in to sing “What a Beautiful Name” with Psalm 33 during Communion.

“The goal of all of faith formation is a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. And tonight we are trying to share the many different ways that you can get there,” said Maykuc.

“So whether that’s small group discussion, a talk, a witness, a testimony, or eucharistic adoration or Mass, the goal is to give them the time to sink into that and rest in God’s love and feel God’s love,” she said.