From a REAP Team Member
On a recent retreat, a mom thanked one of our team members that we make suicide prevention fliers available on our retreats. Apparently, this mom kept seeing the flier in various places in her teenager's room, and eventually asked about it, wondering if her teen was doing OK. This teen then admitted to mom that she had been struggling, and mom has been able to get this teenager help. Praise God!
From a DRE
It was an awesome retreat. Thank you.
From a DRE
I can't say enough good things about the addition of sponsors to the retreat. It made it more meaningful and we had good feedback from our adults in attendance, too. They enjoyed it!
From a CRE
Thank you so much for spending last Friday with us; the kids have not stopped talking about the day's experience.
From a high school campus minister
A senior in one of my classes said, "I know the Holy Spirit is present when The REAP Team is with us."
From a DRE
Prayers continue for the REAP Team's success as you touch so many hearts and lives through your testimonies, enthusiasm, and love for the Lord!!!
From a high school religion teacher
Thank you for sharing! It is very rewarding to see a teenager touched so deeply by something like this. You and your team deserve all the credit. Regardless of how many REAP retreats I have observed, I never cease to enjoy and be amazed with all of you! Thank you so much!
From a former REAP Team Member
Could I have your permission to use the Reap team armor prayer (of course giving credit to you) on a retreat with students from George Mason University? Jen and I were talking about what prayer was needed, and both agreed that the reap team prayer would be a perfect fit. It's for George Mason University's Catholic Campus Ministry's "Encounter" retreat, for the growth team to prepare the retreat center before the participants arrive. It's the same retreat as "Awakenings" (I'm pretty sure both Mizzou's Newman Center and Truman's Newman Center have Awakenings) but it's called Encounter here. Anyway, you probably know what is, but if not, it's a retreat that revolves around peer-given witnesses, and there is a prayer team of past participants (called "Growth") that is in the background throughout the retreat until Sunday morning.
From a junior in high school
I did enjoy the retreat. I have been to a couple before, but never got as much out of them as I did in this one. Thank you and the REAP teem so much! You guys are in my prayers. I just wanted to add that the church experience was really wonderful. Being able to get to say sorry to your Mom, Dad, God, and/or yourself was truly a one of a kind experience. And then seeing all those teenagers forgiving one another, it was really beautiful. Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity!!!
From Twitter
I had the honor and #JOY of experiencing @reapteam retreat at St. Monica with my daughter today. What a blessing we have in our community Thank you, to Luke and the team.
From parents, to a campus minister, after a sophomore retreat
We wanted to send a quick email to tell you how much Grace loved the retreat today. She has been talking about it all evening. Days like today remind us how special a Catholic education is!!! We are so thankful for these religious experiences that our school provides our daughters. We appreciate all your time to make it such a great retreat!!
A comment on Facebook
My husband took the journey to become Catholic after listening to the REAP team in 2000 when my oldest daughter was confirmed.
From a former ministry volunteer
I was wondering if I could volunteer (again) with the REAP team. Spending my senior service project with you guys really opened up my eyes and heart to the beauty of service to others and I'd like to be a part of your team this year! Happy new year and here's to making 2018 the happiest and holiest yet!!!
From a former ministry volunteer
You might not remember me, but I was on the REAP team for about a year way back in 2014. I left because I was struggling to accept the Catholic faith, but I've since grown stronger and become a leader in my church at college (I'm a freshman at Butler this year). I wanted to reach out and tell you that I've been using the chocolate milk analogy to explain confirmation to four different people in the past month (one of whom is my sister, currently going through the confirmation process right now). I've just been thinking a lot about REAP and how much it helped me to grow in my relationship with God. I wanted to thank you for all you do and let you know that I'm continuing to pray for all your retreats! Thanks again for all you do
From an 8th Grader
I just wanted you to know I am doing great. My mom has allowed me to start seeing our school counselor. I didn't tell anyone this at the retreat but before it I really didn't believe in a God. I believed in something but i didn't know what. Your words and the way you explained some things and just being there really helped. God obviously gave me a special gift that day, you. I am still on the path to finding God again and where I belong spiritually but you most definitely helped me. So THANK YOU!!! We all miss you wish we could see you again.
From a high school teacher
I would just like to thank you and your team for the two fabulous retreats this week! The students loved them, and I did as well.
From a high school student
Hello! I live in Springfield, Missouri. I went to a REAP Confirmation retreat last semester. My class and I received the Sacrament of Confirmation yesterday, and I want to thank y'all for your contribution into our preparation. I really enjoyed the retreat and appreciated how welcoming, open, and kind all the team members were. Thank you again and God bless!
Via Direct Message on Twitter to Paul
I don't know if you remember this, (I know that you do a lot of retreats), but we had a discussion towards the end of the retreat about mental health, specifically anxiety. I wanted to let you know that I've started taking medicine and going to therapy. My anxiety has improved so much, and I have to thank you for talking to me so openly about the importance of taking care of my mental health. You are one of the first people to ever tell me that it was ok to ask for help if my mental health wasn't in a good place. Thank you so much for that, I really appreciated it at the time and still do. Again, you are all in my prayers, and thank you for all that you do! God bless!
