Leaving my junior year of high school, I had no interest in my faith. It was, or what I thought had been, the darkest point in my life. My brother, Chris, persuaded me to go on June kairos at the end of my junior year, and I can honestly say it was the best decision of my life. 

I was nervous at first and wasn’t sure what to expect, but after just four days at the Malvern retreat house, I felt as though I was a totally different person. During the four days, the retreatants were put in groups with a student leader and a teacher leader. Each of the members in my group were people I either did not like or did not know at all. What I didn’t know was that I would soon learn to love the people in my group for who they were, and not what they seemed like on the outside. 

Throughout the week, we heard stories from our leaders of their own faith journey and what their faith means to them today. We participated in many religious activities including Mass and confession. My personal favorite part of the retreat was receiving letters from everyone who loves me. 

I learned so much about myself and grew as a retreatant on Kairos, but being a leader on October Kairos with one of my favorite teachers was the truly best time of my life to date. I led October Kairos with Mrs. Gimpel, and she showed me what it truly means to be a Christian leader. When I was doubting myself as a leader, I had Mrs. Gimpel to look to for guidance and confidence. I was able to watch the retreatants, most being some of my closest friends, go through the same growth in their faith as I did. 

Kairos truly matured me as a person, but most importantly brought me back to God, and for that, I am forever grateful.