FOCUS Spiritual Impact Retreat

A few weekends ago we had a Spiritual Impact Bootcamp. The retreat was packed with talks, time for prayer, and Mass and Confession.

Joseph and Jessica are two FOCUS missionaries that go around to different campuses and put on these retreats. Joseph was a missionary at UNL when I was a student and it was awesome to have him come to Loras. Both Jessica and Joseph did so much to prepare for the retreat, with countless prayers for all of us and the students.


About 30 students came on the retreat, including a few soccer guys Tyler has been getting to know. It was amazing to hear the students' testimonies after the retreat. I believe we all were touched by the Holy Spirit in some way and it is exciting to see lots of the students have a greater zeal and boldness for sharing their faith.


On Saturday of the retreat we had two times during the day for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. There were a few people from Loras who came to play and sing praise and worship music during adoration.

Joseph and Jessica, along with a few other missionaries that had been on this retreat before, were the prayer team and they went around and prayed with everyone individually. This was a beautiful time for healing and surrendering to God. Confessions were available as well.

The talks were amazing. They were about the power of the Holy Spirit, understanding the gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit, healing, and prayer. Joseph and Jessica alternated giving the talks.

On the last day we had time to practice a 5 minute prayer exercise, preparing us to pray with people. This was a beautiful opportunity to use our gifts and to actually pray with others.


I feel like this blog doesn't do the retreat justice in any means. Overall it was a life-changing weekend but we realize it doesn't end here. We are all called to pray for the Holy Spirit to renew his power and work in our lives!

Here is a beautifu prayer that we all prayed leading up to the retreat:

Prayer of Renewal of Retreat Participants

O HOLY SPIRIT OF JESUS, Come to me as wind and fire and ignite my life with renewed faith, hope, and love. Help me to grow in the life of grace and to reflect Your presence in my life. Unlock in me, O Lord, my unique spiritual gifts, as you give me the courage and faith to use these gifts in the service of the church and Your people. Enable my parish, my family, and my community to respond to the challenge of the Gospel. Bless the young, support the old, and sustain all those who minister to Your people. Be the wind and fire that brings new life to Your Church, to me and to the society in America. Let this retreat bring about in me a New Spiritual "Stirring" called for by Pope Benedict XVI, for the greater glory of Your Name and for the betterment of mankind. I ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Our Father...
Hail Mary....
Glory Be....