Recently, signups for the retreat to Auxier, Kentucky, have filled up, and students can’t even wait till June. The Appalachia Retreat is coordinated by a non-profit organization called Hand in Hand Ministries. Hand in Hand goes on mission trips around the world to help build, rebuild, and refurbish homes for those in need. Auxier Kentucky is an impoverished area and in the summer St. X students and teachers go down for a few days to help out and have some fun.
During this retreat, teachers rent vans and drive students down to Auxier the Hand in Hand Ministries Center. The teachers and students stay in bunk beds and eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the lunchroom next door to where the groups stay. After dinner and free time on the first night down there, the retreatants get a good night’s sleep for their long day of work in the morning.
A morning starts with a meeting in the dining hall for a scrumptious breakfast and then splitting up into groups for different job sites. The job sites are located at houses where residents are struggling with affording renovations. Jobs can range from putting in insulation, installing new floors, or even ripping something down and making something new.
After working for a few hours you will return for lunch and free time. Free time can often include outdoor sports, exploring the scenic views, or just taking a nap after a good day’s work. Depending on what days the retreat is, we participate in other activities like karaoke, elk watching, or the infamous “front porch pickin” where locals gather for music and dancing. After dinner, you rest up and do the same thing the next day. After the last night, you will work for your third day and return home afterward.
When I look back on my favorite St. X memories, I hold this trip at the top of the list. It gave me a new outlook on the world around me and the struggles others go through. Going to St.X is something I myself and many others take for granted. This retreat is a powerful experience and can let you grow your faith, friendship, and knowledge in a place only three hours away from where we spend most of our lives. I encourage all to sign up for this retreat next year. It will not disappoint.
