Tennessee parish's program aims to help teen boys grow in their faith

Published: 2006-01-12

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (CNS) -- Parishioners at St. Philip Church in Franklin have created a retreat called Mission Field specifically geared to help male teenagers grow in their faith. The teens know that they are going to be spending the weekend in an outdoor environment learning about, exploring and growing in faith, as well as enjoying typical outdoor activities, but a core component of the experience is that they are not told the details about activities ahead of time. That's by design, according to Frank Cash, one of the program's creators. "We don't want them to know every element of the weekend before it begins," Cash told the Tennessee Register, newspaper of the Nashville Diocese. He said he wants participants to discuss the experience with their friends afterward but not to reveal specific details "so that it remains a powerful experience."

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