Teen Testimonies from \"New Fire\" Confirmation Retreat

As Core, many times we look upon an event that we helped plan and execute and jump to the conclusion that it was a great event.  It's important for us (Core, & Parents) to actually hear what the teens thought and then over the coming weeks to discern the fruits that come from the event.  

Below are what some of the teens thought of the Confirmation retreat and also a reminder of the importance of why a retreat needs to be about "getting away from the norm".

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Dear Parish,
This Retreat was amazing!! Thank YOU! Thank You! You changed my life for ever! I felt something I never thought I would. All the tears I shed this weekend was because I know he (Jesus Christ) was there and that I'm not alone. I Thank you for that Amazing Experience!
~Elena

Dear Parish,
I absolutely loved this retreat. I had a lot of doubts and didn't feel super close to Jesus and have much faith in my religion going in. After the amazing Confession and Adoration that we were given that's all gone away. I believe and truly trust in God and Jesus. Thank you for this amazing Experience!
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to get closer to God and giving me the chance to have a conversion through the Holy Spirit. This Whole Experience was touching and gave me a feeling I haven't felt. It was nice to focus on prayer and get away from the distractions
~Marisol

Dear Parish,
Thank you for helping to create and support the retreat.  I had lots of un and I appreciate all the events that happened within these last 2 days.  I never had before felt so close to God and never so connected with my group and the community.  This helped me so much spiritually, socially, and physically.
~Jo Lo

Dear Parish,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to go on this retreat.  It was really eye opening.  I had a great time and I am so glad I got to grow closer to God and the other people on the retreat.  I learned a lot about my faith and I can't wait for the next Retreat.
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
Thank you so much for investing so much in this retreat for us to be able to go and experience God.  It really was such a big eye opener in my life.  It made me realize how much I truly have in common with the people in my group.  It was nice I had one friend in the group but the rest I strongly disliked.  They ended up opening up about their lives on Saturday Night.  I realized their struggles and I was able to relate to them more.  Thank you for the experience and I am extremely excited to go on the next retreat.
Sincerely
~name withheld

Dear Parish,
Thank You for giving me the opportunity to go on this retreat it was fun and a good and different experience.  I'm glad I got to go and have Mass and Confession was great.  Also Adoration was a great experience for my first time.
~Shaun

Dear Parish,
Thank you for allowing us this amazing retreat.  I had a great time creating new memories and getting closer to God.
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
Thank you for providing good rooming, food, and hospitality.  This meant a good amount to me as it cleared my mind and let me start fresh.
~MG

Dear Parish,
It was hard to imagine how important this trip would be.. But by the end of it we all realized we needed this to grow closer to not only God but also each other.  Me and my group finally let go and connected with each other.  We are all grateful to have a solid group of friends who share our faith and love for Jesus Christ.  So on behalf of everyone Thank You for Supporting the Trip and Thank you for our new family!!
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
Thank you for allowing us to go on this trip.  It was a great experience that helped bring us together and bring my faith closer to God.  Saturday night was by far the best Experience of the trip and Saturdays downtime between Confession was very fun. Thank you for allowing this trip and for planning it all.
~Anonymous

Dear Dcn Leyba & the Core Team,
God did ordain and establish free will and with this sacred gift, Dcn & your Core freely expressed their will to help people and young adults. Dcn & your team didn't have to do this for us.  To love is to will the good of another and is infinite when it is coupled with self sacrifice.  Thanks You so much for sacrificing  your time and efforts to make this trip possible.   Thank s for your sacrifice so that we may get closer to God.  It is a true act of Love for us and God.
~the Confirmandee

Dear Parish,
Thank you for being able to spend your time and money for us to have this amazing trip and it wouldn't be possible without you guys.
Thank you!

~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
To go on this retreat meant a lot to me as it helped me to grow in my faith and learn to pray better.
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
I had so much fun here!  Thank you!
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
Thank You for letting us go on this retreat.  It was kind of fun.  It helped me come closer to God.  We Cried A lot.  I sincerely appreciate it.  Thank you So Much
~Judie

Dear Parish,
Thank you for this retreat.  I didn't like it at first but by the end I had fun.  Thank you for this.
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
Thank you for allowing me to take part in this retreat.  It means a lot to me that I was able to experience what I experienced.  I will never forget the memories made on this retreat.  I would highly encourage more teens to go on this retreat and for more retreats to continue on in the future.
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
Thank you for making this retreat possible.  I have had such an amazing experience.  I was connected to God in a way I have never experienced begore and my heart felt full.  I was able to make amazing connections with new people there too.  I can not express just how grateful I am for being able to go on the retreat with all these amazing people.
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
I would like to thank you for letting me be able to go on this retreat.  The trip made me realize a lot about myself and made me learn how to grow in my relationship with God.  This weekend I was able to connect with the Holy Spirit, along with my peers on a personal level.  Thank You Again
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
Thank you for taking the time and putting in the effort to care about my spiritual journey.  It was truly and eye opening experience that I could not have gotten anywhere else.
~Anonymous

Dear Parish (STA),
This retreat was really fun.  I had been feeling very overwhelmed at home and it helped me to calm down and destress.  I really felt the Holy Spirit work in the people around me.  When our Core member prayed over us and started praying for the struggles we didn't even know we had, I felt really touched.  
Mr. Woodburry aka "Steve-burry" and his helpers were absolutely amazing and definitely brang me closer to God with his music.
The Core and JCore were so helpful and understanding.
Father Terry was great and super funny.  
I feel that were all going to come out of all this stronger.
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
In all honesty, I really didn't want to come but once I came, I started to realize that it wasn't that bad.  I started to talk to people I never thought I would.
~Trey

Dear Parish,
Thank You, This retreat was really fun.  My faith increased tenfold.  I loved to sing to God with Steve-burry! I am ever so grateful.  I hope to do something like this again and I can't wait to bring home what I've Learned.  Thanks Again.

P.S. Core and Jcore was great!!
~Michael

Dear Parish,
Thank you for taking the time to organize this trip, we all had a very good time and it meant a lot to many of us, that we were able to go and find a more personal connection to God.
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
To go on this retreat meant the world.  I appreciate every action that was done to make this possible.  It was super fun and an experience for sure.  I truly connected to my faith and so I Thank you for this opportunity
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
Thank you for making this weekend happen.  This weekend I had so much fun.  I've met a lot of people and to to know some of them.  I've also learned so much this weekend.  It was a very emotional yesterday but I felt amazing, finally going to mass and having people pray over me.
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
Thanks for making this retreat.  I truly appreciate this retreat.  Sorry for having bad handwriting, I am on a shaky bus.
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
I want to give a big thank you for giving me the weekend that helped strengthen my faith to a level I didn't expect. This weekend was not only eye opening but the connection I made with people were some of the best I've ever made.  Getting the Chance to feel the Holy Spirit was such an emotional thing and I am so grateful I was able to to go through it with the other teens at our Church.  I will forever and always be so thankful for this weekend so please keep this going for other teens who will get to feel how amazing it was to feel the Holy Spirit and be around people who Love and Support me.

Thank You,
~Andrea

Dear Parish,
This retreat was an amazing experience. I am so glad I was given this opportunity to grow in my faith and grow with the other teens.  The sense of community was unlike anything else I'd ever witnessed.  I will remember this weekend for the rest of my life.  It was completely transformative and I hope many more people preparing for Confirmation will be granted the ability to receive the gift of a truly beautiful retreat. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
~Bethany.

Dear Parish,
Thank you for allowing us to come on this retreat and having amazing experiences.  Thank you for sharing your experiences and allowing us to come closer as a community.
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
Thank you for letting me go and enjoy this retreat this weekend.  I enjoyed praying and cleansing my soul.  I was able to spend time with others as well deepen my faith.  Thanks for the Time, Food, and Transportation.
Thanks
~unreadable

Dear Parish,
Thank you for this trip and the opportunity to bond with people and really get close to my new friends.  Thank you for all you do for everyone and what you provide.
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
Thank you for letting us Experience this.  I have learned alot on this trip and it helped me to open up to God in a way I never have.  I got more out of this then I thought.  I also learned more then I thought about the Church.  So Thank You for making this possible for us.
~a student

Dear Parish (STAP),
Thank you for sending us teens to this New Fire Retreat.  I learned a lot from this experience and I hope to experience more things like this.  I had so much fun, made new friends and learned more about Jesus.  Thank you!
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
The retreat was fun and peacefully.
~Anonymous

Dear Parish,
Thank you for all you do in the community.  You have a immeasurable impact here.  The retreat was great. I had a good time. Please continue doing what you do.
~James

Dear Parish,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to go on this trip.  I had a great time spending time with God and the new Community I am apart of.  I got to experience the good grace of God for the first time and I have Never felt more free.
~Elijah