Personal Witness
Below you will find letters from High School Seniors and recent Kairos retreatants, written about the personal impacts their Kairos retreats had on their lives.
November 2014
When I first signed up for Kairos, I had no idea what to expect. I was so distant with my faith that I didn’t even know what I believed in. I also never went to church… like ever. It had been years since I last went to church, or even confession, so obviously I was pretty freaked out about how I would react to Kairos. I was at a pivotal time in my life when I signed up. It was February, I was making college decisions, and realizing my life was about to change. When I signed up I did not know anybody else on the retreat either, so that also made me nervous.
I made an agreement with myself that I would go into it with an open mind and that was the best decision I have ever made. We were complete strangers who honestly became family in those 4 short days. It’s been almost a year since RK1. To this day, I still talk to everyone on my retreat and even made 4 new sisters from my group who I hang out with constantly. It is the best feeling to have so many people who care about you and know exactly who you are as a person. Kairos is life changing, something worth remembering, and absolutely unlike anything else. To look around, to feel every emotion in that room. The joy, the disbelief, and most importantly, the love.
What I felt could never be replicated. It is a one of a kind moment in a one of a kind place. I experienced God’s love like I would never even imagine. This retreat literally changed me in every way possible. It is truly beautiful. If I could give future retreatants any advice, it would be to completely be yourself. Kairos is a 100% judgment free place. It is a place where you can completely open up and get things off of your chest. This retreat not only opens your eyes to how powerful God really is, but also opens your heart. I restored my faith in God, and I also learned a lot about myself and others. I learned that this life is a gift, and I always want to make a positive impact on someone else’s life. Without Kairos, I would not be who I am today. I am truly happy. For anyone who has an opportunity to go on this retreat, take it! This is your calling!
Marisa Christensen
RK1 retreatant, RK2/RK3 leader
When I first signed up for Kairos, I had no idea what to expect. I was so distant with my faith that I didn’t even know what I believed in. I also never went to church… like ever. It had been years since I last went to church, or even confession, so obviously I was pretty freaked out about how I would react to Kairos. I was at a pivotal time in my life when I signed up. It was February, I was making college decisions, and realizing my life was about to change. When I signed up I did not know anybody else on the retreat either, so that also made me nervous.
I made an agreement with myself that I would go into it with an open mind and that was the best decision I have ever made. We were complete strangers who honestly became family in those 4 short days. It’s been almost a year since RK1. To this day, I still talk to everyone on my retreat and even made 4 new sisters from my group who I hang out with constantly. It is the best feeling to have so many people who care about you and know exactly who you are as a person. Kairos is life changing, something worth remembering, and absolutely unlike anything else. To look around, to feel every emotion in that room. The joy, the disbelief, and most importantly, the love.
What I felt could never be replicated. It is a one of a kind moment in a one of a kind place. I experienced God’s love like I would never even imagine. This retreat literally changed me in every way possible. It is truly beautiful. If I could give future retreatants any advice, it would be to completely be yourself. Kairos is a 100% judgment free place. It is a place where you can completely open up and get things off of your chest. This retreat not only opens your eyes to how powerful God really is, but also opens your heart. I restored my faith in God, and I also learned a lot about myself and others. I learned that this life is a gift, and I always want to make a positive impact on someone else’s life. Without Kairos, I would not be who I am today. I am truly happy. For anyone who has an opportunity to go on this retreat, take it! This is your calling!
Marisa Christensen
RK1 retreatant, RK2/RK3 leader
Kairos can open a teen’s heart to God, if you let him
By Melanie DeFrancisco.
Follow this link to a CatholicPhilly article of a personal witness from Archbishop Carroll student.
By Melanie DeFrancisco.
Follow this link to a CatholicPhilly article of a personal witness from Archbishop Carroll student.
November 2013
Dear Fellow Juniors and Seniors,
Life can get very busy in high school. Trust me I know, because I’m going through it right now as a senior at Lansdale Catholic High School. Two months ago, I was living the life of your “average teenager.” Even though my mom always tried to instill in me the importance of a loving relationship with God, as I got older (and more independent) I began to question my faith and close the door in His face. I did not have a strong relationship with Him, and I put my social life before Him. In high school it can be easy to lose focus on the most important things in life: faith, family and friendship. Through Kairos, I learned the true meaning of each of these. God became more than just someone I heard about: He is now my friend. I also discovered who I really am and why I’m here.
On September 13, 2013, my football career was ended with a concussion. For the next month, I was lost and alone. The doctor told me, “All I want you to do is eat and sleep. No computer, no TV, and definitely no iPhone.” Thankfully I’m a boy, because imagine telling a teenage girl that she could no longer text or tweet. However, during those dark times, I realized that I was not alone, for the Lord was by my side. I began to pray a decade of the rosary each day, simply asking God to give me a helping hand. It was then a fellow student at LC advised me to look into Kairos, believing that I would truly benefit from the experience. I later realized that classmate was the helping hand that God had sent me, for Kairos has been a life changing experience.
Kairos is a Greek word meaning the “right time,” a chance to spend time with God. You may be thinking, “How can four days change my whole life?” “This retreat is not made for me- I’m not a perfect Christian.” Before going on Kairos, I had these exact thoughts. I can assure you, these thoughts are normal, and there is no need to be afraid of this retreat.
December 26-29, 2014 and February 12-15, 2015 the second and third Regional Kairos retreats will take place in Philadelphia. This is my invitation to you, to set aside the struggles in your day-to-day life, and take a weekend to relax and find the path you’re called to follow.
Michael Esterle
“I command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD, your God, is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9)
Dear Fellow Juniors and Seniors,
Life can get very busy in high school. Trust me I know, because I’m going through it right now as a senior at Lansdale Catholic High School. Two months ago, I was living the life of your “average teenager.” Even though my mom always tried to instill in me the importance of a loving relationship with God, as I got older (and more independent) I began to question my faith and close the door in His face. I did not have a strong relationship with Him, and I put my social life before Him. In high school it can be easy to lose focus on the most important things in life: faith, family and friendship. Through Kairos, I learned the true meaning of each of these. God became more than just someone I heard about: He is now my friend. I also discovered who I really am and why I’m here.
On September 13, 2013, my football career was ended with a concussion. For the next month, I was lost and alone. The doctor told me, “All I want you to do is eat and sleep. No computer, no TV, and definitely no iPhone.” Thankfully I’m a boy, because imagine telling a teenage girl that she could no longer text or tweet. However, during those dark times, I realized that I was not alone, for the Lord was by my side. I began to pray a decade of the rosary each day, simply asking God to give me a helping hand. It was then a fellow student at LC advised me to look into Kairos, believing that I would truly benefit from the experience. I later realized that classmate was the helping hand that God had sent me, for Kairos has been a life changing experience.
Kairos is a Greek word meaning the “right time,” a chance to spend time with God. You may be thinking, “How can four days change my whole life?” “This retreat is not made for me- I’m not a perfect Christian.” Before going on Kairos, I had these exact thoughts. I can assure you, these thoughts are normal, and there is no need to be afraid of this retreat.
December 26-29, 2014 and February 12-15, 2015 the second and third Regional Kairos retreats will take place in Philadelphia. This is my invitation to you, to set aside the struggles in your day-to-day life, and take a weekend to relax and find the path you’re called to follow.
Michael Esterle
“I command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD, your God, is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9)
December 2013
Hello everyone!
If you're reading this, I'm assuming you have at least SOME interest in Kairos, which is fantastic! Keep reading! Curiosity is what got me on my Kairos retreat, and I can guarantee you it got a lot of other people there, too.
When I went on my Kairos retreat, I wasn't exactly going for the "right intentions," as some might call it. I wanted to meet new people and make new friends, I wanted to learn about all these Kairos secrets and about all hype this retreat got, but what I really wanted were some answers from God. Notice, I didn't want to seek God, or know Him, or love Him--I just wanted answers from the guy. I thought I already had all that other stuff down. I thought I already had a relationship with God, that I already "loved" Him, because, how could I not? He was my Father and whatnot, right? So, of course I must love Him. So I figured that I deserved some answers, and this was the place that was going to give them to me.
Let me tell you, I was in for a big shocker on two accounts. First, I realized that my relationship with God was equivalent to that of a distant cousin that I would see at family parties I was forced to go to, where I would have to awkwardly make polite hello's and shallow conversation. I didn't really know God, just like I don't really know that cousin. Second, I got my answers, but not in the way I had anticipated. God didn't exactly give me the answers I wanted, but He gave me the ones I needed, and it was then that I realized how much that retreat had been an answer in itself.
So if you're asking yourself, or God, or anyone out there for a sign, a sign to go on this retreat, this very exact Kairos, this is it.
This is your sign for you to go on Regional Kairos in Philadelphia.
I mean honestly, what do you have to lose?
Michele Doheny
"Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10