People of all ages assisted and participated in the 23rd Experiencia Cristo held May 13, 14 and 15.

This time the retreat was organized by the parishioners at Our Lady of the Americas Mission in Doraville. It included 60 participants and 35 team members.

According to the spiritual director of the weekend retreat, Father Carlos Garcia-Carreras, SJ, parishioners were involved in planning and supporting the retreat which was designed for people aged 18 to 30 from throughout the archdiocese.

The team for the retreat was coordinated by Pablo Aguirre, Jenny Espinoza and Alex Mendez. Father Alvaro Avendano assisted during the Saturday evening candlelight Mass which was followed by a fiesta.

Participants at this Experiencia, the first of two planned for this year, came from many parishes including; St. Patrick in Norcross, St. Michael in Gainesville, Holy Cross in Atlanta, Holy Family in Marietta, Sacred Heart in Atlanta, St. Joseph in Dalton, San Felipe de Jesus in Grant Park, St. Joseph in Athens, St. John Neumann in Lilburn and St. Thomas the Apostle in Smyrna.

A group of six youths came to the retreat, which was held at Camp Fortson near the Atlanta Motor Speedway, from Birmingham, Ala.