On April 11th, thirty-eight of our junior and senior Padua sisters left to go on Encounter. The retreat was held for four days. The girls stayed at the St. Raphaela Center in Haverford, Pennsylvania. The center included many bedrooms where the girls roomed with one or two other Encounterites, as well as different areas to hang out. The hallways were decorated with lights by the leaders. The staff accommodated the girls by offering every space in the center and making the meals. The staff was very welcoming and friendly.
The weekend was organized by the senior team leaders Natalie Roddy, Kathleen Moore, Becca Kowalski, Erin Mullen, Emily Dittbrenner, Molly Wierzbowski, Claire Nester, Emily Stefankiewicz, Colleen Moore, Rachael Molitor, and Megan Steves. The girls worked hard to make the weekend one to remember for the Encounterites. The activities that the girls participated in were created to help them make bonds with each other and God. The leaders shared their stories of relying on their faith. The Encounterites were welcome to share their stories as well.
Encounter did not just focus on serious topics. The team leaders organized fun activities, too. The Encounterites shared fun facts about themselves on the first day to get to know each other. During the one hour of free time each day, the girls played games such as Apples to Apples and Twister. On the last night at the center, the team leaders organized a talent show. Anyone who wanted to share a talent could go in front of the group and demonstrate. The team leaders also organized their own group talent of singing and acting. The Encounterites enjoyed being in each others company and sharing a laugh.
The weekend focused on building a closer relationship with God. The girls took many times out of their day to pray and thank God for their new experience at Encounter. The girls also had mass in the beautiful chapel within the St. Raphaela Center. On the last day at the center, the girls dressed up in their best outfits and headed back to Padua for a final mass as an Encounter group. The mass included the girls telling what they learned on Encounter. At the end of mass, they received their blessed crosses. The crosses were on a necklace so the girls could always carry a part of Encounter with them. The Encounter weekend helped the girls to build a strong relationship as sisters and learn to put their faith in God.