Choosing your gaze: Hispanic Youth Ministry Retreat provides a weekend of spiritual growth, unity December 7, 2023By Adriana Montes Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Hispanic Ministry, Local News, News SPARKS – The Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Hispanic Ministry welcomed participants to a weekend dedicated to reflection and cultivating leadership at its Hispanic Youth Ministry Retreat Nov. 17. Through engaging activities, keynote speaker Fernando Merino, facilitator and director of the School of Human Coexistence “La Licuadora,” aimed for the youths to reason and contemplate life differently. Fernando Merino, facilitator and director of the School of Human Coexistence “La Licuadora,” leads a thought-provoking discussion, encouraging youth at the retreat to contemplate life from a different perspective. (Photo courtesy of Jazmine Terran) “We wanted to project a different perspective on life, encouraging them to see life as Jesus sees it – with more mercy, love and joy,” said Mario Geronimo, coordinator of the Archdiocesan Council for Hispanic Youth Ministry and a parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish in Glyndon. As one of the retreat organizers, he emphasized the objective of offering youths a fresh outlook on life. Dynamic exercises, mutual sharing and interactions were employed, making the retreat both entertaining and profound. More than 50 participants from throughout the archdioceses of Baltimore and Washington, between ages 18-30, attended the three-day retreat held at the O’Dwyer Retreat House in Sparks. First-time retreat participant Jessica Yudith Guzman, a parishioner of St. Joseph in Cockeysville, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “It was my first time attending a retreat, and I loved it a lot. Many beautiful things were lived, providing a refreshing perspective for those who sometimes feel distant.” She highlighted the impact of the activities, games and discussions, emphasizing one standout subject on how to treat others and the importance of understanding that individuals may be facing significant challenges. Guzman mentioned the retreat’s role in fostering a sense of unity, particularly for her, as she comes from a parish without a youth group. Reflecting on the uniqueness of the retreat, Jazmine Teran, a parishioner of Sacred Heart in Glyndon, noted the departure from traditional spiritual retreats. “This retreat offered a different experience than the more spiritual and prayer-focused retreats I had attended before.” The interactive nature made it a good experience for Teran, who expressed newfound insights into self-discovery and the importance of stepping out of comfort zones. “I learned that it’s OK to take a step back and understand the impact I can have in the world.” Teran highlighted how the retreat’s building activities and intimate exercises, including a significant candle activity on the first night, played a transformative role in shaping her perspective. As participants blew out the candle, representing what turns off their life, and then rekindled it with something that brought light to their lives, an emotional connection was forged among the participants, bringing them closer, Teran said. The retreat’s interactive activities and God-centric approach left a lasting impression on Jorge Figueroa Estrada, a parishioner of Christ the King in Glen Burnie, fostering a commitment to prioritize those in need and promote a sense of community among the youths. “For me, ‘elige tu mirada’ (choose your gaze) is about deciding how you will act and perceive others, prioritizing their feelings and opinions over mine, all with the fundamental aim of becoming a better person,” Estrada said. He also aid the retreat facilitated his connection with unfamiliar faces, fostering understanding of their struggles and promoting learning from diverse experiences. The weekend retreat commenced with a convivial campfire, establishing a warm and inviting atmosphere. Meaningful prayer moments with the Blessed Sacrament added a spiritual depth, fostering reflection and connection. Participants appreciated intervals of rest, providing a space to reflect on the retreat’s teachings and experiences. The retreat concluded with a Mass led by the recently ordained Father Javier A. Fuentes Cabrera, from the Pastorate of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Frederick, and St. Joseph-on-Carrollton Manor Parish, Buckeystown. Father Fuentes, being a younger priest, connected with the youths during his homily, sharing insights that resonated with them and fostering a relatable and communal experience. Additionally, he offered a personal testimony about his vocation to the priesthood. 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