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More than 350 people turned out for the 150^th Search for Christian Maturity Program, a weekend retreat for 11^th and 12^th grade students. The turnout included family members and friends of the 42 students who took part in the retreat, plus graduates of past Search weekends.

The Search Program began in the Diocese of Raleigh in 1976 as a way to deepen the faith of young Catholics and encourage them to continue their faith journey. Since it began, 5,620 have taken part in the 150 retreat weekends.

Monsignor John Wall, Pastor of the Newman Center Parish at UNC-Chapel Hill and a co-founder of the Search Program, told those gathered that the diocesan program began following a Eucharistic Congress that was held in Philadelphia in 1976 that was attended by a group of some 40 people from the Diocese of Raleigh. He said what they encountered in Philadelphia they wanted to bring back to North Carolina.

Monsignor Wall, who as homilist for the closing Mass at the Search weekend, reminisced about the first Search and the 18^th Search, which stranded many of the retreatants due to a snow storm that unexpectedly lengthened their retreat by two days. (Monsignor Wall's reminiscences of the Search program start-up can be viewed at the Youth Ministry page.)

In reflecting upon the Gospel reading of the day, Monsignor Wall pointed to Lazarus being dead, but hearing the voice of Jesus calling to him. “You and I are often dead,” Monsignor Wall said, “and when we hear the voice of Jesus, we come forward.”

He encouraged the students to “Feel Christ all around you, not just the historical Christ of 2000 years ago, but the Christ who you have experienced this weekend, who you know in the Eucharist, who you know in your life, who you know in your family because you are baptized in Christ Jesus. This search has ended,” Monsignor Wall added, “but your search will continue all the days of your life.”

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, who presided at the Mass, reminded the students of the question Jesus asked his disciples, noting it is the same question he asks each of us, “What is it that you want me to do for you?” The Bishop said, “Tell the Lord exactly what you want the Lord to do for you. Whenever he asks that question, the faith of the recipient is the key. Answer the question with renewed faith.”

Bishop Burbidge said a second question involves one that we should ask the Lord each day; “What is it you want me to do for you?” He added that question demands honest reflection.

Commenting on the tragedy at UNC-Chapel Hill last week with the death of the University’s student body president, Bishop Burbidge spoke of the sadness that touches his heart when a young person acknowledges that at some time in their life, they felt alone, forgotten or abandoned.

He called on them to be aware of those around them who might be in need or hurting. “Ask for the grace every day just to be mindful of the people in your own school who are alone, who feel sadness in their lives. That one act or gesture of sincerely reaching out to someone can make all the difference,” the Bishop said. “It can really transform a person’s life and God forbid if any of us, ever, ever miss such an opportunity.”

Bishop Burbidge cautioned that those opportunities can be missed “if we don’t slow down, if we don’t pray and if we don’t ask the question each day of our lives.”

• Watch Monsignor Wall’s homily (Windows Media)
• Watch Bishop Burbidge’s Comments (Windows Media)