Incoming freshmen offered retreat to make transition to High School easier

Incoming high school freshmen are often faced with an array of new relationships as they make the transition from middle school to high school. To help to deal with these new challenges, the Youth Ministry Office of the Diocese of Corpus Christi is putting together retreats to help the teenage boys and girls make the transition easier.

"At this stage in their lives, teens are undergoing a different dynamic," Youth Ministry director Jaime Reyna said. "They are losing some relationships and making new ones. They are confronted by bullying from upper classmen, peer pressure and oftentimes they also face challenges with their faith and stop going to church."

The first retreat was held on Saturday, Aug. 23, at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Alice. The retreat covered four areas of concern, including peer pressure, bullying, relationships and faith. Teen volunteers gave testimonies in each of these areas.

"The teens really connected with the testimonies," Reyna said.

In addition to these testimonies, teens performed skits and played games related to each of these areas. They also had time for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confession, praise and worship and Mass.

"Each teen signed a resolution contract with Father Julian Cabrera that listed qualities of a modern day disciple. This resolution was also presented after the concluding Mass with the parishioners and the parents to hold the teens accountable for their actions everywhere, including school," Reyna said.

All participants, with the exception of a Calallen student, were from Alice.

The next LinkRetreat will be held at Sacred Heart in Falfurrias on Sept. 13. Participation is free with check-in and registration beginning at 8 a.m. The retreat begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends with Mass at 6 p.m. Interested students can register online at diocesecc.org/link.