This year’s freshman retreat, hosted by Campus Ministry, was held on Saturday, Oct. 3, in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Sacred Heart University.
The theme of this year’s retreat was Unmask Your Heart, and it was led by peer ministers who planned activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The freshman retreat encourages students to experience a Campus Ministry event and develop new relationships.
In non-COVID-19 times, the retreat would be held off campus in the woods, much like a campsite. It would also typically take place from Friday to Sunday rather than just a day-long event. About 25 students attended this year’s retreat, along with 10 student leaders.
Campus Minister Valerie Kisselback gave her insight on the theme of the retreat.
“A space for people to come, feel like they can just relax, be themselves, meet new people,” said Kisselback. “Our activities are geared towards both community building and personal reflection, and reflection with each other.”
Kisselback also said, “Even though everyone has to wear their mask, it doesn’t mean that you can’t still kind of reveal yourself to someone else and try to get to know each other.”
The retreat was intended as a way to meet people and stay in touch with faith; regardless of what religion students follow.
“My hope for anything we do is that people would be able to spend some time and get to be aware of what’s in your heart already, and to get to know God’s love for you. To have that experience of love and know that that’s kind of the ground of who you are, because that can be empowering,” said Kisselback. “When you have that strength and sense of knowing that you are loved, you can go out and do anything from there.”
Students also participated in activities to engage in conversations and open up about transitioning to Sacred Heart.
For Senior Michael Zawadzki, this was his third year leading a group. One activity he finds beneficial is asking the students to fold a piece of paper into four squares.
“The point is to reflect on who you were, who you are now, and who you want to become. The four boxes are who they were freshman year of high school, senior year of high school, freshman year of college, and then senior year of college. It is kind of like who they are now, and who they want to become,” said Zawadzki.
Many students wanted to merge their past journey of faith into a new one here at Sacred Heart and also have an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
Freshman Ashley Fuzella was asked why she wanted to participate in Unmask Your Heart, and she said, “I used to do youth groups back at home, so this is helping me transition to college, and it is really nice meeting people. This is very eye opening and helping my relationship with God.”
