Where to begin on the weekend’s retreat…First, it was for Catholics in their 20’s and 30’s and put together by a couple of people from a Frassati group in the Bronx. I met people from Jersey, Westchester, the Bronx, Long Island-about 50 people attended. The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal were there and they were great. Sr. Mary Gabriel from the Sisters of Life was one of the organizers also. There was Adoration for the entire weekend, except of course during Mass. People signed up for every hour during the night. The music was “praise and worship” which I normally do not like for Mass, but it was fine when sung before each talk. Some of the songs were very good, and it was great to have high energy songs sung by everyone. Let the record show that Gen X Revert actually clapped his hands during a couple of upbeat numbers. It was a very devout group which is wonderful to experience. There were about 7 Friars but not all at the same time, some were in the seminary and had tests to take on Saturday. Fr. Marius Koch celebrated Mass on Sunday. On Saturday night they had the Eucharistic procession where each person was blessed with the monstrance- that was quite powerful. The Benedictine nuns from Huntington visited that night. Another group of nuns were there but I was not sure who they were. It was nice to see so many nuns and Friars in habits! While the procession was going on, there were 2 Friars and 2 diocese priests hearing confession. I went to confession to one of the Friars face to face (another amazing thing for me to do), and it was very good. With the bushy beard and caring demeanor, it was like going to a rabbi.

A priest gave the talk on Saturday morning- He was very impressed with the group, and of course is very familiar with the Friars. He started out by saying how great it was to see so many young people serious about their faith. He mentioned a "listening session" at a parish. Apparently it was mostly older people, VOF of course, and many were asking “where are the young people?”. Father told us he sat in the back, smiled, and said nothing, but thought to himself –"They are in front of the Eucharist praying for your salvation!!”.