Until Next Time

“Until next time!”

That was the mood as we tossed our bags in the trunk and pulled away from Notre Dame’s campus after April Retreat. The weekend had been a whirlwind of liturgy, breakout sessions, late-night conversations, and moments of real connection. I left physically tired, yes, but filled up in a way that is hard to put into words. There was a feeling that something real had started, and I was thrilled to see where the journey would lead.

Friday morning began with nerves and excitement. I hopped in the car to drive to Notre Dame, not knowing quite what to expect. I had only met most of the other ACE teachers over Zoom, so I was especially eager to connect face-to-face. Pulling onto campus for the first time was a moment in itself. From fields and ranches to the sudden pop-up of a beautiful Notre Dame campus that lived up to all the hype and more. That evening, we had dinner in the Stadium Lounge, and we ended up spending the night swapping stories and laughing until it was time to get ready for an even bigger day that lay ahead. I met people I’d only known as profile pictures or Instagram handles—people who, by the end of the weekend, would feel like friends I’d known for a long time.

Saturday was a full one. We kicked off with breakfast and speaker sessions, followed by breakout groups where people really opened up. There was something powerful about how willing everyone was to be real and authentic. I truly enjoyed hearing everyone share where they were coming from, why they were interested in teaching, and what they were hopeful for. After lunch, a group of us made a spontaneous trip to the Blue and Gold Game (Notre Dame’s spring football game). We packed into the stands as an ACE family made up of members from all over the country. That night, we gathered again, more comfortable, more talkative, and more bonded than we were just 24 hours earlier.

Sunday morning came too fast. We wrapped things up with a quiet breakfast and quick hugs goodbye, but the energy lingered. Even as we said our farewells, the connections felt lasting. This weekend made ACE feel real, and I realized that a program like this can be so much more like a community. From walking around the lakes, to celebrating Mass together with plenty of laughter in between, every bit of it gave me a sense of clarity. I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

As I finish my final semester at Ohio State, these weeks are full of assignments, goodbyes, and memories I don’t want to forget. But the retreat gave me space to pause, to feel the excitement about what’s ahead, and to begin forming the community I’ll walk with over the next two years.

I learned a valuable lesson from this weekend: formation not only happens in scheduled activities, but also in the little moments that we share together. I can’t wait to be back in six weeks. Until then, I’m carrying this peace and this purpose with me.