VT Catholic Campus Ministry Fall Newsletter

Abide in Me Abide in Me

This year’s Fall Retreat brought together more than 140 students for a transformative weekend of prayer, reflection, and community at Alta Mons in Shawsville, VA. Centered on the theme “Abide in Me” (John 15:1–17), the retreat invited participants to explore what it means to remain rooted in Christ—the true vine—and to bear fruit through lives of prayer, discipleship, and love. Over the course of the weekend, students encountered the Lord through the sacraments, eucharistic adoration, praise and worship, and quiet moments of prayer and reflection. The serene mountain setting provided a sacred space for stillness, while small group discussions, shared meals, and community activities fostered genuine friendships and spiritual renewal. For many students, especially those preparing to join the Catholic Church through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults), the retreat was a deeply personal and faith-filled experience. Freshman Audrey Bedell shared how the retreat shaped her first semester at Virginia Tech and her faith journey as an OCIA participant: “Deciding to go to Fall Retreat was the best decision I could have made. As not only a freshman at Tech but also an OCIA participant, the decision to come on retreat, at least initially, stemmed from wanting to build a better community at Newman, meet new people, and find ‘my place’—a desire most freshmen can relate to. My initial mission was a success; Fall Retreat was an amazing opportunity to meet people and make new friends. Swing dancing in the rain at night and performing skits for everyone certainly built new relationships that would've never come about otherwise. However, making new friends wasn't the biggest takeaway I got from Fall Retreat by any means. To people who grew up in the faith, this may seem obvious, but as a newcomer, I could have never guessed how fruitful the retreat would be in helping me to grow my relationship with God and to learn about the Catholic Faith. “For the first time ever, I was given the ‘how-to’ on talking to God and reflecting on my relationship with him. I was able to attend adoration for the first time, which was truly an eye-opening experience. “In addition, the Newman community is truly incredible, and people were always willing to give me a hand or explain something when I was lost. At every chance, there was someone guiding me along, whether it be the inspiring testimonies given every day, Father Tom explaining to me what the monstrance was, or being given a ‘how-to guide’ on the Examination of Conscience. I couldn't have pictured a better experience. With the combination of growth I encountered and fun I had, all I can say is that I can't wait to do it again next year.”

Freshman Ryan Jasudowich, who is also preparing to enter the Church, shared how the retreat impacted both his prayer life and his connection to the Catholic Campus Ministry community: