Student Bonds Forged at Gathering
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June 7, 2023After a two-year hiatus due to the global pandemic, Redemptoriststudents finally got together for the Student Gathering on May 14-19 at the Redemptorist Retreat Center in Oconomowoc.
Postulants from the Bronx joined theology students from Houston and San Antonio representing the Provinces of Canada, Baltimore and Denver, as well as the Extra-Patriam Vice Province in the North American Conference.
Many of the students had never attended a Student Gathering, so there were many new people to meet. Notably, the Novitiate class of 2020-2021 finally met in person, as they were restricted to different locations due to COVID-19. The two Canadian novices, Andrew Phillips and Noel Oco, remained in Toronto; Scott Partin, the single novice of the Denver Province, stayed in Chicago; and the two novices of the Extra-Patriam Vice Province, Tan Nguyen and Binh Vu, stayed in Long Beach, CA. Fr. Jack Kingsbury held monthly Zoom meetings, which enabled the novices to meet online. The Student Gathering was their first opportunity to be together to pray, share the Eucharist, learn and mingle with students from different stages of formation.
Msgr. Stephen Bosso from Pensacola, FL presented conferences focused on preaching during the day. Students learned about the importance of preaching for our ministry, as well as important tools to help us prepare homilies, mission talks, and reflections.
Most important, the Student Gathering enabled students from all levels of formation to get to know each other to facilitate future collaboration. We enjoyed unstructured time to get together outside of meals and conferences.
The mingling of students from different communities was organic and spontaneous, in many cases. Students went out for coffee or ice cream.
One day, some students made a short pilgrimage to the Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill in Hubertus, WI. Students were all smiles walking the grounds and exploring buildings kept by the Carmelite Friars – the Basilica, the bottom chapel, the Chapel of St. Therese, and the Shrine Chapel off the main church that houses the ivory and gold leaf statue of Our Lady of Holy Hill. They climbed 178 steps up the scenic tower to enjoy a breathtaking view of beautiful Wisconsin, and they patronized the gift shop.
During the evenings, some students simply gathered and talked, while others joined in playing different board games. All of us built community in the midst of talk, laughter, and games.
On the last day of the Student Gathering, Steven Urban, Scott Partin and Antonio Montoya renewed their temporary vows as Redemptorists in the presence of Provincial Superior Kevin Zubel, Provincial Vicar Aaron Meszaros, and Fr. Binh Ta, a member of the Extraordinary Provincial Council.
