By Zoebelle Bean, Catholic editor
The retreat participants posing outside the Chapel before heading to Maranatha – Photo by Mike Ingram
“Many Parts, One Body,” a retreat hosted by Campus Ministry and attended by nearly 40 people, was held from March 28-31 at Maranatha Bible and Missionary Center in Norton Shores. Over the course of the weekend, the definition of a Christian community was explored through adoration, Mass, small groups and student talks.
There were two student talks given: one on what a Christian community is, and one on how to build a Christian community. The first talk was given by John Paul Strobel on Saturday morning. Strobel talked about his time in different communities, seeking to find a commonality between all of the members. His most difficult struggle was at his factory job. He found that all of his co-workers were so different from one another that there was a mutual, unspoken agreement to not discuss religion. He realized that a Christian community was defined by a united effort to find Jesus and help others toward Him. It is an effort from all members and a desire to seek the kingdom of Heaven together that makes a Christian community possible.
The second talk was given on Sunday morning and explored how to build this Christian community. The main points were being vulnerable and sharing experiences with others as well as praying and acting together as disciples of Jesus Christ.
John Paul Strobel delivering his talk on what community is – Photo by Zoebelle Bean
After each of the talks, small groups that were predetermined by the retreat organizing team gathered together and answered a series of follow up questions and discussed what they had learned from the talk. “Oftentimes, in my journey with Christ, I underestimate the power of community and self reflection,” sophomore Sam Elder said. “The retreat provided me with both intentional time and people to draw me closer to Jesus.”
On Friday, the retreat began by forming a community initially with a series of games, which included a scavenger hunt around the retreat center grounds, a rock, paper, scissors tournament, a couple of rounds of poison dart frog and a Catholic version of “Family Feud.” These games were played in the predetermined small groups and were an opportunity for everyone to learn each other’s names and get comfortable before the retreat officially began.
J.T. Doudna (left) and John Petty (right) playing “Family Feud” – Photo by Emily Klein
Each day began and ended with prayers from the Liturgy of the Hours, a series of prayers typically prayed by the religious, such as nuns and monks. Before breakfast, Lauds, commonly known as morning prayer, was prayed by the participants, and before dinner at night, Vespers, or evening prayer, was recited by the group. Many participants enjoyed this opportunity. “I love that we prayed the Liturgy of the Hours,” freshman Trista Cridler said. “Most college-aged Catholics are not necessarily exposed to that specific prayer and I think it’s great that we were given an opportunity to partake in it as a community.”
On Saturday after lunch, the friars, Brother Andres Trujillo, O.P., Father Jordan DeGuire, O.P., and Father Robert Keller, O.P., hosted a question and answer session. During lunch, retreat participants were able to write down questions on pieces of paper anonymously and place them in a box. Afterwards, the friars sat down and pulled out the questions randomly and answered them for the audience. The questions ranged from jokes and riddles to questions about God and what it feels like to be a priest.
The friars answering questions from the group – Photo by Emily Klein
Saturday was when the majority of the retreat took place. In the afternoon, the retreat group was given four hours of free time. This was an opportunity to engage in further, unscheduled community time and fellowship. As per unwritten tradition, a majority of the men went to the beach together to take a polar plunge into Lake Michigan. This year, some of the women even went together, creating a new tradition for future years of retreats. “I’ve always thought that it was a fun tradition,” senior Maggie Hall said. “I decided to try to get some women to do it with me this year… sometimes, all it takes is an invitation. Even though it was freezing, I cherish that memory and I am grateful to share that experience with many others on the retreat.”
Beyond the opportunities for fun time, Saturday was also full of times for reflection. Mass was celebrated at the retreat center before noon on Saturday, giving participants an opportunity to hear the Word of God. Further reflection was encouraged that evening when adoration took place in the same room. Confessions were also provided alongside adoration. This time of quiet, punctuated by occasional worship music from peer minister and pianist, junior Annalisa Maichele, was a time for participants to pray quietly or reflect on their time at the retreat.
The retreat concluded on Sunday with the unveiling of a new prayer card for Aquinas College, featuring St. Thomas Aquinas.
Campus Ministry’s new prayer card – Photo by Zoebelle Bean
The retreat group prayed this together before heading back to campus. The retreat officially ended with 7:00 p.m. Mass on campus, where the entire group wore their retreat shirts to Mass together.
The Saint 