Last week, Carmel Catholic had the honor of hosting 236 students from eight area Catholic schools for our second annual 8th Grade Retreat, centered around the powerful Gospel theme of Salt and Light.
The day was built on a simple but profound roadmap, challenging these young people to look forward to the adventure of high school, to look inward to anchor their true identity in God's unconditional love, and to look outward to carry Christ's love to a world in need through genuine care - to be Salt and Light for others!
Our senior student rectors, Trey and Olivia, represented their class phenomenally well by facilitating all aspects of the day and sharing their personal faith journeys. They spoke with remarkable vulnerability, confidence, and authenticity, modeling for the eighth graders what it looks like to walk closely with a God who knows us and calls us by name.
Ninety Carmel seniors stepped up to lead small groups through a series of exercises, discussions, and games, working tirelessly from the moment the buses arrived to show genuine care to our guests. Through a special “Called by Name” activity, the seniors called out specific moments from the day where the eighth graders exhibited Salt and Light to others. They then gifted each eighth grader a rosary and reminded them that no matter where they end up for high school, Mary's love and protection will be with them always.
The true highlight of the day, and the ultimate source of our light, was Holy Mass, beautifully celebrated by Bishop Timothy O’Malley, who also blessed the students’ new rosaries.
Carmel Catholic is deeply grateful to the visiting principals, teachers, and parents who coordinated the logistics to make this day possible. We are incredibly proud of our senior leaders, and we pray that these eighth graders carry the warmth and flavor of Christ back into their homes and school hallways!