By Feature photo: Participants in Sophomore Retreat 2023 pose in front of the cross after celebrating Mass on the Mountain. Photo credits: Carroll Marketing.
This year, the Sophomore Retreat took place from Sept. 15 to 17, hosting 38 sophomores and 22 upperclassmen, all attending the retreat at Legendary Lodge.
The Carroll students left campus at 5 p.m. on two buses and arrived there at around 7 p.m.
At the retreat, there were special talks given by the upperclassmen, small groups, and personal reflection time.
The speakers included:
- Luke Ostberg, a junior Catholic studies and philosophy major from Fairfield, Montana
- Elissa Mazkour, a senior biology major from Beirut, Lebanon
- Chris Szpilka, a junior physics and Catholic studies major from Helena
- Josie Gale, a junior biology major from Roseville, Minnesota
- Allie Friesen a fourth-year focus missionary from Colby, Kansas
- Macie Frans a junior biochemistry major from Bosie, Idaho
- Thomas McGowan a senior, biology major from Sioux City, Iowa
The talks were split into three sessions about change and decisions, prayer, and commitment.
On Friday, after dinner and all the talks as a big group and in the smaller ones was a dance party. Jack Cossairt, a junior secondary education major from Westmount, Illinois, was the DJ and played music ranging from country to pop.
Everyone was dancing, singing, and having a fun time. A dance party has always been a great way to start off a retreat.
On Saturday, the day kicked off with a hike up the mountain where the mass was to be held.
Everyone broke up into two groups, with each group going at different speeds. The slow group left first at about 9 a.m., and the fast group left at 9:30 a.m.
Mass on the mountain was beautiful and peaceful.
After receiving communion, everyone chose a place to sit or stand to pray. Music played through most of that time, and then there was a time of complete silence that held so much peace.
Most people took a place close to the edge and either closed their eyes or looked out to see what they could see. It was very peaceful, and the peace of the moment was felt.
“I think there are a lot of good parts to sophomore retreat,” said Sarah Hiller, a sophomore psychology and Catholic studies major from Pocatello, Idaho. “I think the quiet time and the Mass on the mountain were some of the big ones because they allowed you to just think about the beauty of God’s creation and rest within it.”
Between the talks, delicious food, and mass, students enjoyed plenty of free time to explore Legendary Lodge.
During that time, people either went to take naps or relax outside. Some attendees even headed to the lake to swim, kayak, paddleboard, or be on the boat at the lodge.
Afterward, everyone split up into groups led by upperclassmen for a different type of prayer. It was either to learn a new way to pray or to try and go deeper with one they already know.
After practicing different styles of prayer, everyone moved into quiet time for an hour.
The time was to spread out throughout the camp to find a place to pray. It was a time to quiet the mind and focus on God. During that time, confession was available for students.
The largest session during the weekend had to be the men’s and women’s talks.
It was a time when the men went to one area and the women to another so that they could have a talk. These talks were geared towards them, making it much more personal.
“My favorite thing at the sophomore retreat was probably the women’s talk we had at the very end,” said Katarina Kosiewicz, a junior nursing major from Keizer, Oregon. “It was wonderful, just very much a community bonding moment making sure that we all know that we are all there to support one another, and just building that trust and those relationships is wonderful.”
The campfire was the last thing to happen on Saturday.
The campfire was a great way to end the night, after the men’s and women’s sessions. Almost everyone went down to either talk, look at the stars, sing, or make s’mores.
Sunday was a day to reflect on the weekend and give reminders for opportunities on campus or upcoming events.
The sophomore retreat was filled with many great activities and times to connect to God. It had more serious times but still left room for some fun.
“Even if it’s a very hesitant yes, like mine was, the lord takes it and will give you an amazing time,” said Hiller.
