Source And Summit 2013 Is An Indescribable Experience For Attendees
St. John the Baptist, Newburgh, eighth grader Madelyn Kalna admits that she thought Source Summit 2013, held March 22-24 at Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville, was going to be “just another retreat.”
She also admits she was 100 percent wrong.
“I didn’t really expect to get much out of it, but it was absolutely amazing and totally not what I expected at all,” said Kalna, 13, who was attending her first Source Summit. “The experience was a once in a lifetime thing – I can’t even describe it. It just drew me closer to God.”
Kalna was one of approximately 500 young people (ages 13-24) who participated in the retreat, which featured music, prayer, meditation, witness talks, games and skits, and the opportunity to bond with other young people throughout the diocese. She said her favorite part of the weekend was listening to testimony from speakers, especially Father Jose Maniyangat who told the youth about his life-after-death experience involving a motorcycle accident, and Missy McNabb, who gave a talk about chastity that Kalna says was “funny, relatable and not awkward at all.”
Another first-time attendee was Mater Dei graduate and University of Southern Indiana student Christie Mack, who said the weekend served to help renew her faith. “I found a part of me that I didn’t know was missing,” she said.
Over the past 12 years, Source Summit has become a terrific vehicle for introducing young people to Jesus Christ, said Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry Steve Dabrowski.
“The youth spend the weekend in front of Jesus, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament; they receive him in the Eucharist at daily Mass, and they have access to him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation,” said Dabrowski. “This encounter with the Risen Christ cannot fail to impact those who attend.”
For Reitz Memorial High School student Emily Earhart, Source Summit represented a “profound reunion” of her faith. She said she enjoyed being with people “who accept me for who I am and support me in my faith.”
St. John the Evangelist, Daylight, parishioner Kevin Efron remarked that Source Summit was “absolutely wonderful, both spiritually and mentally.” He said the retreat will help him finish the rest of his school semester strong.
For many who attended, the Saturday night adoration service was a highlight. “You can’t explain it,” said Mack of the service, which included music and meditation. “But you definitely have to experience it.”
The adoration service was preceded by an emotional presentation about surrendering to the spirit delivered by Deacon Christopher Droste, who will be ordained into the priesthood later this year.
The retreat was capped off by a Sunday morning Mass celebrated by Bishop Charles C. Thompson, and a presentation on charity and vocations by Father Chris Forler, pastor of St. Bernard Church, Rockport and St. Martin Church, Chrisney.
Dabrowski said he is grateful for the hard work done by “Gail and Tom Shetler, Bob and Kathy Smith, Father Forler, and all those on the Source Summit Team who pour themselves out year after year to make this experience possible for the young Church.”
Asked if she had anything to say to young people who still aren’t sure Source Summit is right for them, Kalna offered the following advice.
“I would just encourage people to open up to the idea of it,” she said. “Some people don’t want to go because they think it’s uncool, but honestly it’s not. It’s amazing.”
Story contains information provided by Message Correspondent Joseph Lutz
