Many young adult Catholics drift from the faith of their childhood upon leaving home.
Eagle Eye Alaska is an innovative annual hike and retreat that takes young adults into Alaska’s backcountry in an effort to inspire and reconnect young adults to the practices, sacraments and prayers of the Catholic faith.
“After spending the first 18 years of our lives going through CCD, attending Catholic school, and participating in youth group, it suddenly dawns on us that we have a choice,” said Eagle Eye coordinator Rachel Andrews in an email to the Catholic Anchor. “Our parents don’t go to college with us. Our parents don’t follow us as we settle into our first apartment, our first jobs, or develop our community of friends. We have a choice about whether or not we will attend Mass. More importantly, we have a choice about how we will form our grown-up relationship with God.”
The upcoming Eagle Eye retreat takes place July 19-27. It is for ages 20 to 35 and will include priests and religious from the Community of St. John who will attend the backpacking trip while providing formation during the weeklong retreat.
The event starts with a hike of Crow Pass outside of Anchorage and will include daily Liturgy of the Hours, Mass and prayerful dialogue along the trail. The retreat continues at Holy Spirit Center outside Anchorage with further formation through praying with Scripture and studying philosophy and theology.
“Whether we are single, married, or religious, this ministry is extremely important,” Andrews noted. “This year’s theme, ‘True Friendship: A Sacrifice or a Gain,’ highlights Pope Francis’ call to a deeper, personal relationship with Jesus.”
For more information about the retreat, contact Rachel or David Andrews by email at eagleeyealaska@gmail.com or call (907) 349-1258. The website is eagleeyeministries.org.
'Backpacking monks aims to connect young adults to faith'
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