Establishing a Spiritual Foundation

You’re a sophomore in high school. You’re told that you’re required to go on a retreat. How do you react?

Holy Cross students understand that when you’re 16 years old, a trip to the mall or watching a football game from the stands with friends, is considered to be more fun than spending an afternoon in a parish basement. Currently, 20 Holy Cross students are committed to changing this common conception.

The Helping Area Youth Embrace Spirituality Program, or H.A.Y.E.S., is overseen by Rev. Gregory Lynch S.J., associate chaplain. It is a student-run organization responsible for leading retreats for youth throughout New England.

Under the direction of student co-chairs Kevin Lucid ’09 and Ali Mersereau ’10, the H.A.Y.E.S. Program runs four to five retreats each semester. In general, the program aims to instill in high school-aged students a sense of spirituality.

“It is important for [young adults] to have a sense of moral and spiritual identity that they can use to guide them through their future lives,” Lucid says.

This message is particularly well-received when coming from college students.

“Students really appreciate and enjoy the retreats because they are led by young people like themselves,” says Mersereau. “We can relate to them and they can relate to us, which makes them more comfortable sharing their ideas and expressing themselves.”

The H.A.Y.E.S. Retreat Team prides themselves on running retreats that remain upbeat, but at the same time, informative. “We do a great job of integrating fun games and activities with more serious speeches and group discussions,” Mersereau explains.

On Nov. 23, Holy Cross sent six H.A.Y.E.S. members to St. Leo’s Parish in Leominster. There, the team worked its magic in running a retreat for 37 high school juniors who are currently preparing to make the Catholic sacrament of Confirmation.

“I thought the retreat went very well and that the kids were very engaged,” says retreat leader Brian Miller ’09. “The kids said that they thought it was going to be boring but that we made it fun for them.”

The retreats prove to be mutually beneficial. The leaders admit that they are fulfilled by directing the retreats. Lucid feels that he has been rewarded by taking part in the H.A.Y.E.S. Program.

“I have seen kids become more comfortable with, and accepting of, the idea that they can be spiritual people at a young age,” he says.

Mersereau agrees: “I joined HAYES because I wanted to be part of a team that inspired younger students to embrace their spirituality and develop strong values.”

Holy Cross students who aspire to do the same are encouraged to contact apmers10@holycross.edu or kaluci09@holycross.edu for more information on becoming a part of the team.

By Cara Joyce ’09