By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
February 26, 2004

REMSEN - Sophomores from St. Mary's High School in Remsen showed their uniqueness by making masks during their retreat on Feb. 20. The masks were used to represent the mask that each person wears and the need to take off the mask to reveal their true self.

"You can't live your life hiding behind your mask because that is not who you are," said Amy Tentinger. "God knows you are hiding behind these masks. It helps you in the future to be yourself and do what God wants you to do."

The retreat group, part of the Christian Leadership Team (CLT) at St. Mary's, planned the retreat for the sophomores. The team plans the retreats for all of the classes. There is a retreat given for each class each year.

"You bring the Catholic faith into their thinking of things," said Kenneth Hajek, principal at St. Mary's. "It is part of our curriculum. We bring them together as a unit as a class. It also gives the students an opportunity to get to know each other."

This year's team consists of five students including senior Tentinger, juniors Kendra Ahlers and Angela Jonas and sophomores Brandon Begnoche and Megan Homan.

The day began for the 22 sophomores with a bus ride to St. Joseph Church in Ellendale. The retreat was held in the basement of the church.

"I think retreats are important because as a class you only have four years in high school and you need to get to know your classmates as best as you can and get along with them," said Jonas. "By having the retreats, we become closer with God and with our classmates. At St. Mary's we find that very important."

When they arrived at the church, they entered into the retreat with an opening prayer, Don't be Fooled by Me. The prayer focused on the different masks that people wear and how God created people how he wanted them to be and how many people aren't ready to take off their mask to show themselves to everyone else.

The theme of the retreat, From the Inside Out, was chosen by the retreat team and used throughout the day to help the students bring out their true selves.

"We chose this theme because we thought it was important for students to realize how unique they are and how God made each person differently," said Tentinger.

The students listened to the creation story and about creating their own masks. The retreat leaders explained the purpose of the masks and how to make them. Each student had a partner and made the other person's mask by forming the mold on their face.

Father Tim Johnson, pastor at St. Mary's in Remsen, talked to the students about individuality, being themselves and hiding behind their masks.

"I am hoping that they not only leave here feeling that they are different from everyone else, but also see how other people are and that they should relate themselves to others," said Ahlers. "I hope they realize that even though they are different that how close they can be and maybe see something different in everyone else."

The small groups took part in the Skittle activity. The students each took a handful of Skittles and whatever color they had the most of, they had to answer a question. For example, if one person had more red Skittles, they were asked: What is your purpose in life and how do you find your purpose? If they had mostly purple Skittles, they were asked: By wearing these masks, how are you hindering your relationship with God?

Before the students went to confession, they wrote down their sins on a piece of paper and put them into a coffee can. Then the pieces of paper were lit on fire to signify their sins being raised up to God. The students then attended Mass followed by lunch and prayer.

The students painted and decorated their masks in the afternoon. Each student made their mask fit their personality. There was also time for reflection on the day.

The day ended with students sledding together to have interaction outside of the confines of the church basement and reflection.

"I hope that they take with them that even though they hide behind things, that God sees everything and God is always there with them," said Jonas. "They can show their true self to their friends, and they will still be there for them."

Tentinger commented that she wants the students to go back to school and think about how they should be themselves, open up and not think about what others are going to think about them.

"I think it is important, as an administrator, to see what our students are all about and show them that it is important to me and to our curriculum that I go to every one," said Hajek.