Youth from David City, Hastings, Wahoo and York participate in retreat
Southern Nebraska Register
For the second year in a row, junior high students from Aquinas in David City, St. Cecilia in Hastings, and Bishop Neumann in Wahoo came together for a multi-school retreat.
This year, St. Joseph Parish in York also participated. The retreat was held at the Holthus Event Center in York, a location centrally located for all the schools.
The retreat’s theme this year focused on the word “Ignite.” Talks and activities centered on what it means to “ignite” one’s life for Christ. Scotty Sullivan, campus minister at Pius X High School in Lincoln, was the master of ceremonies for the event.
Speakers included Melissa Yindrick, campus minister at Aquinas, and Father Ryan Kaup, chaplain for the St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The day included Mass, adoration and confession. Students were also introduced to prayer teams.
Lizzy Moravec, an eighth-grader from Aquinas, said “Getting to spend time with God was the most impactful part of the retreat. It gave me time to talk to Him, and by spending time with students from other schools, I made some new friends.”
“The retreat was a huge success,” said Gery Kenney, campus minister at Bishop Neumann. She said the campus ministers at Aquinas, Bishop Neumann and St. Cecilia started crafting the idea of bringing all three schools together several years ago.
“We almost wanted it to be a ‘mini-Steubenville’ experience and give our students the chance to be with other schools,” Kenney said. “It’s great for these kids to be exposed to each other in a non-competitive way. We see each other a lot at different sporting events, but this retreat helps us realize that ultimately we are all on the same team with one goal in mind – heaven.”
Melissa Yindrick said, “I am grateful to collaborate with other passionate leaders from these great schools. Bringing the students together allows us to pool resources. We can utilize lots of experience and creativity to prayerfully create a more impactful event.”
She said the students who participate get perspectives from peers outside their school.
“Someday, when it comes to registering for TEC or other diocesan events,” she said, “it may give these students more courage to know there may be familiar faces!”
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Courtesy photos
Sr. M. Xavier, campus minister of St. Cecilia, said she hopes all the schools will be able to continue to offer this experience to students.
“Many of our students left with great takeaways and had genuine encounters with Jesus,” she said.
She added that many priests gave of their time to help with confessions and Mass.
“In total, 10 priests from the schools and the York area were present,” she said. “A huge thank you to them and the volunteers that helped with the day.”
Jared Prevette, a middle school teacher and high school coach at St. Cecilia, offered a unique perspective, attending the retreat as a graduate of the same school where he works.
“Returning to a place that shaped so much of who I am allowed me to appreciate how far I’ve grown while still feeling deeply connected to my roots. The retreat gave me space to step away from my daily responsibilities and reflect on the values that were instilled in me during my time as a student: community, purpose, and faith,” he said.
He explained that what made the experience especially powerful was being able to interact with current students from St. Cecilia, as well as schools across the diocese, and seeing the same spirit that once inspired him now thriving in them.
“It reminded me that the lessons we learn here continue to shape us long after graduation,” he said. “I found myself grateful not only for the memories but for the opportunity to reconnect with the mission of the school in a new, more mature way.
“The retreat reinforced my sense of vocation and helped me recognize how the foundation I received at this school continues to guide my personal and professional life,” he continued.
