For the fourth straight year, Monsignor Edward Pace High School sent students to the University of Notre Dame in Indiana for Notre Dame Vision, a Catholic leadership conference for high school students.
Eight Pace students attended the conference from June 16 to June 20, along with Dean of Students Valarie Lloyd, Theology teacher Patricia Stout, and Alexander Gomez, a moderator of Enquentros Juveniles for the Archdiocese of Miami who graduated from Pace in 2009.
According to Lloyd, who has organized the trip for the past four years, the conference was for students to learn how to “(use) their time and their gifts to make God’s world better.”
Students had the opportunity to experience college life by living in the school dorms, eating at the dining hall and other activities as they were mentored by some of the university’s undergraduates. The conference was structured around nine sessions covering different discussion topics such as “Call to Love Others” and “Challenges of Discipleship.”
The topics were introduced by lectures from national speakers, including inspirational Catholic speaker Mike Patin, whose unassuming appearance belied his engaging lecture that incorporated large amounts of audience participation. In between lectures were activities that ranged from musicals about parables to somber events such as mass and reconciliation in the university’s famous Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Attendees from Pace found that the most rewarding and memorable moments of the conference were not only the fun activities like scavenger hunts and ice breakers, but also the small group talk sessions reflecting on lectures with other students from around the country.
“As a person, this trip helped me to understand the position and obstacles that other people are in and have to deal with,” said Christian Roig, a Pace senior.
For Pace junior Cristina Castillo, the experience was familiar as she was attending her second Notre Dame Vision conference. Castillo took part in Vision Plus, a program meant to build upon the lessons she learned on her previous visit.
“I went back to Notre Dame Vision because my previous experience was incredible and definitely memorable,” said Castillo. “By going back, I had hoped to have a great experience [like] before or even better, as well as deepen my understanding of my faith.”
For information concerning Pace High School and class enrollment, call 305-623-7223 or visit www.pacehs.com.