Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

More than 300 students from various colleges participated in a Catholic Campus Ministry annual spring retreat to encounter Christ. The gathering was held a few weeks ago at the Warren Willis Conference Center in Fruitland Park. Students traveled from the University of Central Florida and six other colleges, including Florida Institute of Technology and the University of South Florida.

The retreat’s theme was "Glorified," based on Romans 8:26-30, focusing on the Holy Spirit. Rebecca Laing, Florida regional administrator for St. Paul’s Outreach, explained that the program addressed how participants can “make Him the king of our lives.”

Laing described the discussions, stating, “(We asked) how we can receive a deeper outpouring of the Holy Spirit, what His role is in our life, how we can pray for gifts of the Holy Spirit to be able to bless the kingdom and the Church.”

Participants sought gifts of healing, wisdom, and administration and hoped for a zeal for evangelization. Allyana Tiqui, a University of Central Florida student, played a leadership role, guiding small groups in activating spiritual gifts.

“If you pray for the gift of prophesizing, try to prophesy. If healing, offer to pray for somebody who has pain. I thought, that’s really bold,” Tiqui said. “I just had to pray and be present for them. My role is as an instrument of God’s will.”

Students, including Brother Martin Buganski, shared personal stories about receiving spiritual gifts. Tiqui recounted an incident where she experienced relief from scoliosis pain after her group prayed for her. “In my heart, I heard the words, ‘Oh ye of little faith.’ It’s as if God was telling me, ‘Allyana, the miracle already happened to you, but the devil’s going to try and take it away because you don’t believe it.’”

Zack Jablonski, another participant, received what he called a clear message regarding leadership during Eucharistic Adoration. “I hadn’t heard God speak to me through prayer so clearly, this call to leadership,” he said. “I experienced a lot of encouragement.”

Devin Brizuela also reported a significant experience during Eucharistic Adoration, noting a new reliance on God. “It was transformative. It was the start of me leaving everything behind and coming to Him,” he shared.

The retreat aimed to foster a deeper connection with God and develop spiritual gifts within the students, as highlighted by these experiences.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, March 28, 2025