By Faith Addington, Catholicism Editor
The final weekend before Easter break, Aquinas’ Campus Ministry retreat team planned and carried out a most successful weekend away. Thanks to the hard-work and dedication of Johnny Vanderbaan, Regina Bonifazi, Emily Klein, Maggie Hall, Mark Musgrave III and Cory Skinner, Aquinas students experienced a weekend of friends, fellowship and spiritual growth through a series of talks, games, activities and adoration.
The retreat saw a variety of guest speakers including former Aquinas student, Marie Krueger, who spoke to her personal relationship with Jesus, Larry Barton who posited the relationship between liturgical music and Jesus and finally Mike Ingram who concluded with an inspirational send-off and insights into moving forward with the growth made throughout the retreat. Besides the presentations, the students participated in a variety of faith building discussions, thought-provoking games and, of course, a challenging trivia competition about some of the best Catholic saints.
During an interview with the Campus Ministry retreat coordinator, Johnny Vanderbaan stated-
“It was so beautiful to see brothers and sisters in Christ gathered together, growing closer with one another and growing closer to the Lord by deepening their understanding of the power of Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Best of all, the retreat occurred one week before the Triduum and Easter, allowing us students to fruitfully prepare for Holy Week. The content from the “This is My Body” retreat significantly helped me recognize a greater desire and respect for the Eucharist than before I came, and I hope the rest of the students who attended can say the same, no matter where they are in their faith journeys.”
The retreat reached its culmination Saturday evening during Eucharistic Adoration in which all of the students were able to reflect upon their spiritual life and their takeaways from the retreat, bringing it directly to Jesus through the Eucharist. The weekend concluded on Sunday after a group prayer of the rosary and a deliciously prepared lunch by Mrs. Denise Krueger. Aquinas students were blessed to have such a spiritually fulfilling weekend put on by amazing Aquinas staff, students, parents and community members.
The Saint 