By Michael Soh
The recent Embrace the Grace (ETG) conference in New Norcia would not have been complete without the availability of the sacraments and time for prayer.
Along with talks from guest speakers, community group sessions, a ‘Mini Olympics’ competition and socialising, the 7 to 11 December conference offered daily Mass to the more than 100 young people who attended.
The Friday night was also set aside specially for Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Guest speaker Father Stephen Gorddard opened the night by speaking about reconciliation, touching on topics such as mortal and venial sins, the process of the sacrament and the joy, freedom and peace gained thereafter.
Before the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for adoration, CYM staff members Eliza McKay and Josh Low also briefly addressed the youth on the graces they had received by taking part in the practice.
Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction was officiated by newly-ordained Deacon Mariusz Grzech, with seven priests available to hear confessions and many attendees lining up to receive the sacrament.
Having attended ETG as a young layman, seminarian and now a priest, Fr Gorddard was amazed by this year’s attendance.
He said that Mass, adoration and reconciliation should play an important part in everyone’s spiritual lives.
“In all my years of coming to ETG, I’ve never seen such a crowd like this and it’s so encouraging and inspiring to see this great and powerful event grow and continue to draw new and inspiring young people,” he said.
Fr Gorddard added that the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation, as well as adoration, were important for any retreat because “the point of a retreat is to come and be with our Lord”.
“But as we draw closer to Him, we realise that discipleship is a call to conversion and I think that’s really at the heart of growing in our spiritual life,” he said.
“So for me, particularly the Sacrament of Reconciliation is really critical for going deeper in our discipleship with Jesus as He asks us to leave things behind and to come follow Him.”
First time ETG attendee Tom Kenny-Simpson, said he found Eucharistic Adoration to be a profound experience.
“Tonight was extremely important for me, as I was overwhelmed by how enriching the experience is at ETG,” he said.
“It was an amazing opportunity to reconnect with God and to seek and be with Jesus and experience His mercy.
“I was struggling with some things and tonight was a beautiful opportunity to find Christ’s answer for me and to be with Him.”
Fellow attendee Joe Raymond, believes that participation in adoration and the sacraments will strengthen him and his peers in their difficult moments.
“Adoration, reconciliation and the Mass all provide you with the fuel to tackle life, as this world can be a cruel place,” he said.
“It gives you the strength and conviction to keep going even if times are tough.
“I think participation with my peers here at ETG in adoration, daily Mass and reconciliation is a beautiful thing, to share these gifts God has given us with my fellow brothers and sisters.”
Attendees also had the option of participating in the Liturgy of the Hours, with the recitation of Lauds (Morning Prayer) and Compline (Night Prayer) well attended over the whole conference.
From page 16 and 17 from Issue 6: ‘Prayer – What does it mean to pray without ceasing?’ of The Record Magazine