Bishop commends youths at retreat
Bishop Lawrence Brandt of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg commended the participants in the “Journey of a New Hope Youth Retreat’ taking place this week at Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown. “This represents a commitment to the Lord, your religious faith and a witness to the Church that belies the stereotype in the media that youths are disassociated from religion, disassociated from the ‘institutional church,’ disassociated from priests and bishops – that they are hedonistic and materialistic,’ Brandt said. “That’s just a wrong vision of what our young people are today. I want to commend you for being a wonderful witness to your faith.’
Brant spoke Wednesday to more than 130 youths and 21 adult advisers – the largest attendance yet for the annual retreat, which is organized by youths from St. Therese and St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic churches in Uniontown and St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church in Farmington.
Adult adviser Kevin Barry, 20, of St. John Parish, said the youths came “from all over the Diocese of Greensburg, and we even reached out to the Diocese of Pittsburgh.’
Sarah Markwardt, 16, of Chalk Hill and a member of St. Joan, reported that people also were coming to the conference Wednesday just to hear Brandt, who also celebrated Mass and had lunch with the youths, and that members of Fellowship of Christian Athletes from Uniontown Area High School were to attend the retreat Wednesday night.
The retreat, which ends this evening, included two days of speakers, activities, Masses and confessions at Mount St. Macrina, as well as an overnight stay at the Uniontown Holiday Inn, where organizers were to host a swimming and pizza party Wednesday night. T-shirts and other souvenirs also were provided.
In his remarks, Brandt noted a December 2004 study by the National Foundation of Catholic Youth Ministries reported that 42 percent of Catholic youths say religious faith is extremely important to them and that 39 percent attend Mass every week. He also noted studies show religious youths lead constructive lives because of the values taught by their faith.
“Religious faith is your best ally for success and healthy living in every respect. It’s your best friend,’ said Brandt. “Many in our culture say it’s your worst enemy. That is not true. Out of such an environment of faith can only come very good things.’
The bishop noted that some people might find their future spouses or they discover a calling to religious life.
He also referred to the Gospel story from the morning Mass in which Jesus compares himself to a vine and his followers as branches, noting “This is a great lesson for us.’
Brandt taught three ways to remain connected to Jesus, including attending Sunday Mass and receiving the Eucharist, continuing their education in the faith as young adults and adults, and by being a witness to Christ in their lives.
After his remarks, Brandt said he was pleased with the retreat and agreed that strong attendance shows many youths have a hunger for religion. “They want to hold onto something they’re not getting in other places,’ he said.
He added, “For me, it’s a real privilege to be part of this’ and complimented the youths, calling them “extraordinary.’ Brandt noted that youths, such as a young woman who told the bishop she planned to participate in a service program in Kenya, are making sacrifices “not just to help others, but for personal fulfillment.’
Adult adviser Nathan Piccolomini, 20, of Uniontown and a member of St. Therese, has attended six of these retreats and said he enjoys “the relaxation – not as a vacation but as an opportunity to focus more on God and our relationship with God.’
Andi Giachetti, 16, of Uniontown and a member of St. Therese, Rachel Mort, 15, of Uniontown and a member of St. John, and George Blanda, 17, of Fairchance and a member of St. Therese, also served on the retreat committee with Markwardt. They said they were pleased despite some rain Wednesday morning and humidity in the early afternoon.
Asked why attendance continues to grow, Giachetti said, “I think everybody is so positive about it and everybody gets a lot out of it. Everybody’s so enlightened and uplifted.’
Markwardt called it “a ripple-effect,’ noting that youths who participate tell their friends.
Mort said, “The location is so great. There’s not much noise from the highway and it’s a beautiful place.’
The committee members also believe in the retreat. Markwardt said, “I think anything that strengthens my faith should be important to me.’
And they are happy to see the results. “It’s great to see that all our hard work can have such an impact on everyone’s lives,’ said Blanda.
“I love not only that I get a lot out of it, but seeing the faces of everybody and their faith renewed – it’s wonderful to watch,’ said Giachetti. “I get goose bumps talking about it.’