May 8, 2019 By Amanda Conklin COLTON – Nine college students from Canton and Potsdam colleges attended a Lenten day retreat on April 13 at Higley Flow State Park Lodge. The day served as preparation and a stepping-off-point for Holy Week. Students heard talks from their Campus Ministers and the Diocesan Coordinator of Campus Ministry on Christ’s Passion, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday and the last seven phrases of Christ. Students were asked to pause and reflect, answering questions in provided journals. Also provided were Magnificats and special Holy Week devotionals. The day included a hike on trails through the park. The retreat concluded with a Holy Hour at St. Paul’s Oratory in South Colton with an opportunity for confession with Father Stephen Rocker. A talk on Holy Thursday and the Eucharist, given by Tylor Starkey stood out to SUNY Potsdam sophomore Anthony Pelella. “Tyler said that he struggled believing that the Eucharist actually turns into the body of Christ, when he converted to Catholicism,” Pelella said. “Sometimes, when I think to myself about Catholicism, I have questions and feelings of doubt like what Tyler experienced. The talks were good, but I found that Tyler’s talk gave me inspiration to find deeper meaning through my doubts, and to keep striving to be the best Catholic I can be.” Brooke Kelly, a junior at St. Lawrence University enjoyed her first Campus Ministry retreat. “It provided not only the opportunity to reflect and prepare, but also to escape the chaos of college life and become grounded again, together with others who share our faith,” she said. The location of the retreat was new to Campus Ministry but provided the calm and quiet wilderness that lends itself to the contemplative nature of the retreat. “It was really relaxing and great to get out and enjoy the wilderness again,” said Jon Monnat, student at SUNY Canton appreciated the venue. "It was great to go into nature and prepare for Holy Week by learning more about our amazing faith," echoed Conner Cummings, senior at SUNY Potsdam.
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