ENCOUNTER #72 MEETS ENCOUNTER #1!
On April 17-19, about 26 students and teachers from the senior grades of St. Patrick’s High School in Yellowknife gathered for the first ever SAINT PATRICK’S ENCOUNTER RETREAT, held at Trapper’s Lake Retreat Center.
Assisting with the retreat were 2 Vancouver College Grade 12 students – Nicholas Gomez and Ambrose Chu. They were joined by their VC teacher and Campus Minister, Mr. Kevin Belleveau. 4 students had visited Vancouver in the Fall of 2014 to join in and experience a similar Vancouver College retreat. They were joined by their St. Pat’s teachers, Jeffrey Dineley and Kali Brasseur. Providentially, at the same time Vancouver College High School in Vancouver was holding their own Encounter Retreat – Encounter 72.
The rector-leaders of Encounter #1 were Thoriso Mahlatsi, Grade 12 student from St. Patrick’s, Yellowknife, and Nicholas Gomez, grade 12 student from Vancouver College, Vancouver.
They were assisted by: Hansika Jhankur, Northwyne Remigio, and Dana Hildebrandt from St Patrick’s, and by Ambrose Chu from Vancouver College.
The retreat involved a series of presentations and sharing by the student leaders, and other creative activities designed to help students personally reflect on the life journey. The retreat assumes a perspective of faith and belief in our One God. However, amoung the participants were students who do not practice a particular faith. They were also able to participate and share in the retreat experience.
Mike Hartmen of the NET Team, creates a fire on an island at Trapper’s Lake, for an evening activity.
St. Patrick’s students enjoy time together. Also present are: Adele Costanza – youth ministry coordinator, and Peter Nguyen – seminarian.
A “pensive pose”!
Ambrose Chu leads a session, as the two rectors look on.
The two St. Patrick’s teacher leaders – Jeffrey Dineley and Kali Brasseur – join in at a session in the ‘Tee-pee Room’ at Trapper’s Lake.
The panel of tough judges at the Talent Show.
Kevin Belleveau – teacher and Campus Minister from Vancouver College – proclaims the Word of God at the Celebration of the Eucharist.
Our guests from Vancouver College are welcomed at the Retreat Center.
The Retreatants celebrate a closing session together, and receive their certificates.
A great collaborative first effort between the two Catholic High Schools.
We look forward to building on our first St. Patrick’s Encounter Retreat next year!
Mackenzie-Fort Smith 