Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

At the recent retreat, "Contrite of Heart," organized by the new Salt & Light ministry, nearly 100 participants from Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa gathered at Camp Shiloh near Lincoln to engage in a day focused on prayer, penance, and peace. The event featured talks by Dominican Friars Father Gregory Pine and Father Joseph-Anthony Kress, members of the Order of Preachers and hosts of the popular "Godsplaining" podcast.

Father Joseph-Anthony led the first talk on prayer, followed by Father Gregory Pine discussing penance and inner peace. The day concluded with a live recording session of the "Godsplaining" podcast, where attendees had the opportunity to engage with the friars in a more casual setting.

During the retreat, the friars emphasized the importance of spiritual practices such as prayer, penance, and finding inner peace through faith in God. Tyler Matson, a primary volunteer for the event, highlighted the diverse range of attendees, stating, "We recognize that there are a lot of retreatants here in different stages of life, so the goal of Salt & Light is to bring a greater sense of community to a wide range of people."

Deacon Matthew Hecker, the director of Salt & Light, underscored the significance of providing a beautiful and uplifting space for the retreat, allowing young adults to feel supported and guided by the Church during their spiritual journey. He expressed the hope that participants would come away from the retreat understanding that "Jesus Christ knows them, loves them, and wants them to know that He knows them."

Brittney Ullman, another key volunteer, shared her desire for retreat-goers to deepen their relationships with Jesus, emphasizing that ultimately, "it's the Lord."

Salt & Light, which officially launched earlier this year, aims to create a sense of community and spiritual growth among young adults aged 21 to 39. The ministry has been hosting worship nights and events, with plans for future activities, including pickup volleyball and worship nights.

To stay informed about Salt & Light's upcoming events, individuals can follow the ministry on social media platforms such as Facebook (Salt and Light Young Adult Community) and Instagram (@saltandlightlnk).