Same goes for Terri-Ann Wynans, Roset鱿鱼视频app long-time friend and fellow co-ordinator for youth and young adults with the diocese for more than a dozen years.
Even though the strict pandemic restrictions in British Columbia impeded the ability for this gathering for Grade 8-12 students to take place in person at Camp Homewood on Quadra Island like always, Roset and Wynans did not seriously entertain outright cancellation in February 2021.
鈥淚t was difficult to not be able to meet face-to-face, but we didn鈥檛 want to not offer anything,鈥� said Wynans. 鈥淚t is quite looked forward to by the kids.鈥�
Ongoing pandemic restrictions is making for another virtual retreat in 2022. Just like last year, the FacetoFace Ministries Catholic evangelization organization out of Saskatchewan is capping attendance to 50 youth so that they can see everyone鱿鱼视频app face projected on the big screen in their facility, the St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission in Bruno, Sask.
The launch episode commences on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. PT, and the three Saturday sessions begin at 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30 respectively.
Wynans and Roset branded the first virtual incarnation of this retreat as Homewood Reunion 2021. Past retreat participants teamed up with the FacetoFace team to present two days of talks, Mass and worship that culminates with eucharistic adoration.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think that (adoration) would be very moving sitting in front of my computer in my house, but it was amazing,鈥� recalled Wynans. 鈥淭he team mails a package of envelopes with different things. Last year there was a candle, a wad of plasticine 鈥� just different objects to be opened up throughout under their guidance. It made it more interactive than just listening to a computer.鈥�
Roset shared a testimonial of one girl attendee鱿鱼视频app experience of the virtual retreat.
鈥淪he wrote, 鈥榦ne part that stood out to me was adoration. I was kind of skeptical to see what adoration would look like on Zoom, but to my surprise it was still extremely powerful. It was helpful to have the candle that was provided to know that even though we were separated, we were still experiencing God鱿鱼视频app presence in the same way.鈥� 鈥�
Roset and Wynans let the Scripture readings of the retreat weekend influence their decision-making when crafting a retreat theme statement. A benefit of this approach is that the content of the sessions will sync up with Victoria Bishop Gary Gordon鱿鱼视频app homily.
This year the theme is Faith over Fear.
The two women鱿鱼视频app longevity with the Homewood retreat has afforded them the opportunity to witness how the event鱿鱼视频app fellowship dynamic has evolved over time. For the first dozen or so camps, students would be tentative to break out of their cliques at the outset.
鈥淏ut the last six or seven years, they get there and are comfortable from the immediate outset,鈥� said Wynans. 鈥淛ust the deep faith, feeling and worship that happens opening night brings me to tears. Watching those kids kneel and genuinely open their heart gives me hope for our Church, which is what we really need right now.鈥�
Roset said they鈥檝e had to 鈥渢urn chaperones away鈥� over the years because of the building not being able to accommodate the space. She says this demonstrates 鈥渉ow the adults get as much out of the experience of just watching these kids come together.鈥�
Wynans and Roset cherish the prospect of again gathering in the Camp Homewood dining hall 鈥� currently undergoing a kitchen expansion 鈥� again in 2023.