GETCA 2020

The Hunger Games is a riveting trilogy and a widely popular work among young adults. Though set in the dystopian future, Suzanne Collins’s series taps into themes such as freedom, oppression, hope, and self-sacrifice that are very much relevant today. The gladiatorial-like combat and ubiquitous allusions to the ancient Roman Empire, moreover, suggests the series is equally about the past and the trajectory of Western civilization. Given this, the major thematic concerns of the work are taken up and analyzed in relation to the Biblical narrative.

The late, great Fr. Mike "Catfish" Mireau said "Religion needs a lab... When teaching religion, what we need to do is create a controlled environment where young people get to PRACTICE what they’re learning in the books: practice being nice to each other, practice not putting each other down all the time, practice charity, generosity, LOVE." One of the places he identified as an ideal religion "lab" experience: taking students on retreat. This session will draw from Mike's experiences running retreats since 1997. We'll have a practical discussion of ways to put a retreat together including the place of games, talks, music, and prayer. There'll be an examination of what to look for in a potential retreat site, as well as a discussion of resources one can use to prepare for a retreat. Finally, we'll look at the value of incorporating student leadership in every aspect of retreats.

In fiction, a zombie is an undead being created by the re-animation of a human corpse. These soulless creatures prowl here and there (usually at night) seeking to infect others with zombie virus, and ultimately take over our world, as described in various stories as "I am Legend" and "Night of the Living Dead." Often these stories threaten or culminate in some sort of zombie apocalypse- where these undead beings risk ending or irreparably changing life as we know it. While zombies themselves are creatures of fantasy, the reality is that fear of an apocalypse goes far beyond fictional stories. Christian faith in the resurrection of Jesus (which is different than re-animation!) brings a unique perspective to discussions about "the end." We'll have lively discussion on zombies, Jesus, C.S. Lewis, and the reason why one of the most often repeated phrases in scripture is "be not afraid."

The songs and videos of the acclaimed musical group, Imagine Dragons, creatively explore motifs of tragedy, treachery, redemption, and renewal; similar existential themes are found within the Bible. This session not only juxtaposes the respective articulation of these themes in songs like Radioactive and I Bet My Life, but also considers how contemporary music can provide a bridge for student understanding and engagement with ancient and perennial archetypal motifs.