About 150 high school-aged Catholic teens gathered at Camp Tecumseh in Pittstown from Nov. 15 to 17 for the annual Embolden Weekend Retreat. The theme was “Arise: Finding Joy in the Son,” which focused on living a life of joy God made for us through Jesus.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited the retreat on Saturday to celebrate Mass for participants. They included the teens, many from the Paterson Diocese, and their adult leaders and chaperones. Pittstown is an unincorporated community located at the borders of Alexandria, Franklin, and Union townships in Hunterdon County.
Concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Sweeney were Father Brian Sullivan, pastor of the Church of Christ the King in the New Vernon neighborhood of Harding Township, and Father Jose Lim, parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception Parish, Annandale in the Metuchen Diocese. The day of Bishop Sweeney’s visit included a holy hour and opportunities for the sacrament of reconciliation.
During the retreat, teens enjoyed nature, played games, grew closer to friends, met new ones, and strengthened their relationship with God. Sister Katie Flanagan of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of North Haledon, also known as the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco, gave the keynote talk.
Fiat Ventures, which has been creatively supporting Catholic parishes and programs with ministry and media solutions for 16 years, ran the retreat. Fiat conducts BOLD Youth Ministry, Confirmation programs, and retreats in upwards of 40 parishes and schools in New Jersey, including in about seven parishes in the Paterson Diocese.
— Michael Wojcik
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
