Ignite – Campus Retreat

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it
~ John 1:5

CFCI Chennai and Mangalore organized their first-ever ‘Campus Retreat’ for students of St. Patrick’s High School on 10th August 2019. The Retreat started with lively action songs which uplifted the spirits of all the students.

The first session was on ‘God’s love and His plan for us’ where the speaker emphasized how God loves each one of us unconditionally and we respond to that love by complete trust and faith in Him. In the second session ‘Who is Jesus to me?’ we learnt more about Jesus’s character and His role in our salvation. The third session ‘Repentance, faith, healing and forgiveness’ helped us reflect on the areas we need to surrender to God to receive His forgiveness and healing.

Before lunch, a ‘Sin Chair’ skit was performed which highlighted how we get trapped by sin and only Jesus can free us from the bondage of sin. The session for the younger group was concluded with ‘God’s love letter’ and a praise fest. Post lunch the older kids went through an energizing and lively faith walk in which those who volunteered were blindfolded and directed through a maze. They had to try avoiding the obstacles based only on the instructions they received from their friends. Through all the cheer and laughter they learned what it felt like to trust in God’s guidance even when we can’t see where He is taking us. Towards the end of the day, we had the Holy Mass followed by a Praise Fest by the music ministry.

Despite all the planning and preparation, there were many unforeseen obstacles. The team approached the situation with strong faith and trust in God holding on to the promise that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. The Retreat was truly an enriching experience not only for the participants but also for the service team members. At the end of the day, the students and teachers left with a renewed zeal for God, thanking Him for His faithfulness and the opportunity to reach out to His children.