First-years fill annual faith-based retreat
The 17th annual FYRE event, held by SJU Campus Ministry, took place this past weekend with 70 first-years.
SJU Campus Ministry hosted their 17th annual First-Year Retreat Experience (FYRE) last weekend. At FYRE, first-year students of all faith backgrounds are invited to spend a weekend embracing faith, connection and fun at Lake Carlos in Alexandria, Minn. The group was composed of 70 first-year students and 12 student leaders. Registration for first-year attendees was full.
According to the SJU Campus Ministry website, the retreat seeks to help students discover who they are in the transition to college, who they want to be come, who they are going to be and where God fits into their lives at CSB+SJU. Students arrived at the retreat on Friday night and began with a karaoke activity. Each attendee was assigned to a small group of fellow first-years and an upperclassman leader whom they met with throughout the weekend.
CSB senior Sarah Skrove was a small-group leader at the retreat. Skrove attended FYRE for the third time since beginning her college career.
“Most of them were mingling with new people right from the beginning, instead of sticking to the friends they came on the retreat with,” Skrove said via email. “It made me happy to see the newest class at CSB+SJU living out the Benedictine values of community and hospitality right off the bat.”
Leaders met before the retreat for several weeks to plan and prepare.
“We had weekly meetings leading up to the retreat that prepared us to facilitate discussions and create a welcoming and safe environment for all of the retreatants to enjoy,” Skrove said.
The retreat consisted of free-time, worship, prayer and intentional small-group time.
CSB first-year Alex Zaccardi decided to attend FYRE after hearing about the retreat from her bible study group.
“In our small groups we convened and talked about faith and brought in living on campus and how everything is related to faith,” Zaccardi said. “It was really helpful to understand everything that goes into being faithful and how it can help you to succeed.”
Zaccardi shared how she was grateful to have gone on the retreat, made new friends and had the opportunity to grow in her own faith along the way.
“I met a lot of people, and it was just super fun,” Zaccardi said. “Honestly, that’s one of the best things that I’ve done so far.”
SJU first-year Brett Lund attended FYRE hoping to meet new people.
“As soon as I got there, I just started clicking with so many people,” Lund said. “I’ve never been around so many like-minded people in my life.”
Bennie and Johnnie attendees were split into 13 cabins where they slept for the two nights of the retreat.
Both Lund and Zaccardi shared their gratitude for their leaders at the retreat and how they hope to be leaders in the future during their time at CSB+SJU.
First-years were encouraged by their leaders to reflect, converse and connect with other attendees.
“It’s never too late to keep growing your community of faith,” Skrove said. “I was surprised at the connections I gained and the excitement I have to continue to cultivate those relationships as the year goes on.” The retreat concluded on Sunday afternoon, and the group returned to campus. “I realized that God doesn’t just exist at retreats,” Lund said. “God exists every day and throughout everything.”
