Koinonia means “intimate community”, which is what we became by the end of our journey. The retreat was only three days, but it felt like we had known each other much for longer. Being new to Saint Martin’s University, I felt that I knew very few people. But after the Koinonia retreat, I was part of a wonderful family. Everyone was so open and not afraid to cry in front of each other, as someone said, “You would think I would have been afraid to cry like this in front of people I met only yesterday.” We have become so close in such a short amount of time that nothing could stay kept in.
Loading the vans in the Parsons’ (Residence Hall on campus) parking lot, I had not known what I had gotten myself in for, but I never once regretted it. As a student and an athlete, I don’t have much time to just relax and take a step back from life. This retreat gave me that opportunity. When we first arrived at the camp, which was about a mile away from school, I felt uncomfortable since I did not know anyone. By the last day, however, I knew who everyone truly was.
All the retreatants were assigned to a small group. Mine was the Dove/ Peace group. Each small group had a student and an adult leader, who then shared with the whole group a life lesson they had learned. Every story had a different impact me; from the life graph we made to hearing how God is the tuba. The leaders would then ask us some questions that made us look into ourselves. While answering these questions, I truly found out a lot about myself I didn’t know. I was able to renew my relationship with God and learn how to be truly open with friends. The small groups gave us the opportunity to be open to each other on a more personal level, always willing to listen to one another. 
The highlight of the weekend, for me, was our mass on Saturday. Father Killian (a member of the monastic community at Saint Martin’s) joined us and said mass for us that was just absolutely wonderful. The fifteen retreatants all brought pillows to sit on and sat around a table in the living room area of the place we were at. During the “Our Father”, everyone joined in one big huddle to say the prayer together. I have never enjoyed mass so much and felt so much like a community. Where I’m from in California, I attended the largest church in Orange County and had never felt this close to anyone before. A mass where everyone will give each other hugs during the Sign of Peace is extremely joyful and the signs of community. 
Now knowing the true meaning of what a community is, I have new friends to give hugs to in the halls at school and who can put a smile on my face by just saying hi. The best part of the weekend was definitely a surprise I hope future retreatants will enjoy as much as me. You should sign up for the next retreat. Every day was an adventure, every day was a new experience, and every day of Koinonia was the best day ever for me.Becky Gorlin
Business
Class of 2012
Business
Class of 2012
(For more Koinonia pictures, check out the Saint Martin's University Campus Ministry Facebook page!)
