From Feb 28-March 1st, fifty girls from Austin and the greater Houston area gathered in Huntsville for a weekend of fun, formation, and connecting to God. They were divided up into two tracks by grades- 7th/8th grade and high school- and were accompanied by Regnum Christi consecrated women Fabiola Zellek, Julian Frommling, Maritza Silva, Rachel Peach, four college volunteers, and four moms who were chaperoning.

Talks, small group discussions, Mass, adoration, canoeing, and an ultimate Bunco tournament were highlights from this Challenge retreat powered by ECYD.  Interwoven through all activities was the message of Christ’s promise: “I Am With You Always”, experiential opportunities to deepen in this conviction, and concrete tools and tips for the girls to bring back for their daily lives.

One of the activities was a time of adoration in front of Christ exposed in the Blessed Sacrament. Each of the girls received a different image of Jesus during his passion. “I experienced Christ during adoration while studying the picture I was given.” One of the high school girls shared, “I was wondering how a human could endure such pain without dying. I put myself in His place and realized that I wouldn’t be able to do it if I didn’t have the strength of Christ pulling me through it. And it hit me that Christ did it FOR ME, so anything I experience now I know He is right there holding me up, carrying me through it.” The retreat was a very powerful experience for many of the girls and they were able to go home reminded that they are not alone on their journey and that Christ is with them always!

For more information on retreats and camps for girls grades 5-12 in the Houston area, visit:www.challengehouston.com