Christmas Retreat 
Youth Space
Youth 2000 has been one of the main faith-building events that I have been to, writes Ruairí Ben McClintock
Growing up my mother and father always encouraged me to love God. My mother used to read to us children’s Bible stories and my father prayed with us every night.
Every Sunday we’d attend our local church. There are eight children in my family and my mother and father planted a seed of passion for the Lord in all of our hearts, so even though my older siblings are away in college, married and working, they all have felt the love of Jesus in my home and some continue to pray daily.
As a young child, praying and attending Church was quite easy but as I got older this became more and more difficult. All my friends thought of God as ‘Santa in the sky’. I found it hard to share my faith and find kids my age who also shared the love and passion I did.
This is around the time I attended my first retreat two years ago. I was 17 years old. I decided to go to my first retreat because a couple years before, my two older sisters had been to a Youth 2000 retreat and loved it. Their experience encouraged me to go.
Retreat
I will always remember my first retreat. I was worried everyone in the retreat would be super religious and holy and I would be frowned upon. But it was totally different to what I was expecting. The moment I arrived I was welcomed. That’s the thing about Youth 2000, no matter your what your background is, you always feel welcome and the people I met at that retreat have gone on to become my best friends today.
The people are amazing but it doesn’t end there. The number one reason for my attending the retreats is the Eucharist. It is one of the most peaceful, loving and healing experiences I have ever felt. Adoration is such a wonderful experience. It’s almost indescribable, simply amazing.
The Christmas retreat in Newbridge is one of my favourite retreats every year, coming near to our Lord’s birthday. It’s the best way to prepare for the true reason for the season – Jesus. It’s such a treat to be able to meet friends you met at previous retreats during the year. Last year’s winter retreat was a ball, it went by so fast and I always wish the retreats could last longer.
I remember one of the two things which struck me the most during this retreat were the people with constant smiles on their faces. They were beaming smiles, as if it was coming from within, a smile no one could take away from them. This is the kind of smile that can only come from a deep love of Christ.
The other thing I really enjoyed was the workshops. There were so many I couldn’t go to them all but the ones I did go to, I don’t regret. The Pure in Heart workshop blew me away. Talking about real values in relationships and how to feel confident just being you, also what real love is, not the kind you see in our everyday culture, but real love.
There was also a workshop on reading the Bible, which helped me to understand God’s Word. The priest gave us tips and tricks on how to read our Bibles to the best of our abilities and this workshop is helping me to this day.
Also, I can’t say anything more without mentioning the Youth 2000 prayer groups that happen all over the country. It’s fantastic being able to have that hour or two during our busy weeks to just spend some time with fellow Christians and of course Jesus. For our prayer meeting we start off by having the Eucharist enter the room, brought by our parish priest, then we sing songs of adoration, followed by prayers of petition where we pray for the world and our fellow Christians. This is followed by more songs of adoration and then the Rosary. After this we read the Sunday Bible readings and discuss its meaning and how it could affect us in our modern day lives. We also go for outings together.
We recently all went up Mount Brandon in Kerry, going through the fourteen Stations of the Cross, which was extremely fun and (because we live in Ireland) extremely wet; never before had a shower been talked about with such enthusiasm within our prayer group!
If I’m truthful I’d say I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for the members in my prayer meeting and friends from Youth 2000.
It has helped me out during tough times, supported me when I was down, encouraged me to be a better human and Christian, and every single one of them are absolutely wonderful people.
I’d strongly advise anyone, from any background, to come and join us. There is literally something for everyone.
So, what are you waiting for! Get to the Christmas retreat this year and if you go, be sure to find me and say hello!
For more information about free buses to this year’s Newbridge Christmas retreat visit www.youth2000.ie
