The retreat format included talks, games relating to the talks, videos, small group discussions, social times and prayer, which included adoration, Benediction, reconciliation, Mass and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Guests invited to join the teens for at least part of the weekend retreat included a group of Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George; Apostles of Interior Life; Knights of Columbus; Catholic Daughters of the Americas; Father Joseph Havrilka, Mother of Dolors parochial administrator; Father Jeff Holtman, OFM, from St. Francis of Assisi, Teutopolis; and a group of Mother of Dolors parishioners who provided meals for those on retreat.

Retreat leaders were Becky Bauerle, youth minister at Mother of Dolors and Mother of Perpetual Help in Maryville; Missy Mark, youth minister at Ss. Peter and Paul in Collinsville; and Skip Larkin from Mother of Perpetual Help, all three of whom attended a training session on conducting the retreat that was offered by the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Brian Pekovitch, youth minister at St. Francis DeSales in Moweaqua, assisted at the leaders table during the retreat.

“We have dreamed about offering this retreat, and have been looking for the right time. The time finally was right, and the dream blossomed into a beautiful weekend with the teens,” Bauerle said. “After experiencing the success of this retreat and realizing the importance of spreading the message of the Theology of the Body, we plan to schedule another retreat in the fall.”

For more information about the retreat, contact Becky Bauerle at or Missy Mark at .