Are You Familiar with Palanca?

[Christine]

My daughter is a senior in a Catholic high school. She must attend a mandatory religious retreat to graduate.

I just got instructions from the Campus Ministry and was told that I need to provide at least three Palanca letters. They should not be all from me but from other people (aunts, uncles, godparents, friends, etc) and they should provide some sort of spiritual encouragement. They are not supposed to be "love letters" or compliments.

I have tried to read about this on the internet but it is fuzzy. And, to boot, we are non-Catholic and fairly non-religious.

Not complaining about this or anything, I *did* sign up for this!! However, I'm not really sure how to handle this with any credibility! Apparently these letters ask for encourage scripture versus, etc.

I do have a few Catholic friends/co-workers and they have never experienced this.

Anyone here do this?

 

[golfgal]

Palanca letters are just uplifting "I am thinking about you" letters. Since it is a religious retreat they should probably have some religious overtones but they can be words of wisdom as well. I have been on many retreats that have some kind of palanca-either a letter or a keepsake of some kind. They are handed out during the retreat, usually after an especially emotional time during the retreat.

 

[allison443]

We are Catholic but I haven't heard of these-my kids don't need them for confirmation..
I googled and here is a sample palanca letter......

http://www.stpetersolney.org/assocdocs/TASK/172/Palanca Letter Instructions.pdf

Actually it's a very nice keepsake!

 

[PremedPhilosophy]

FOR A GIRL:

Dear NAME,


It seems so hard to believe that you are a GRADE in high school! You have grown up so fast into a beautiful, kind young woman. As you look towards your future and are discerning God’s plans for you, you are growing every day as an individual, learning so much about yourself and about what you want to do in this life while making friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. Through these experiences, you will come to know what you are called to do in this life. Our hope for you is that you take the time to enjoy every minute of it! Know that God is with you and, while it may be cliche to say, God’s plan is always and everywhere perfect.


As you begin your journey into young adulthood, never forget that you are loved by many and that Jesus loves you very much and has unique plans for you. The keys to what these plans are – or will be – are ready to be found in your heart. Remember to always be honest with yourself and attentive to your talents. God has given you many talents and expects much of you – He expects you to continue to share your gifts with others and to continue to be a humble, loving, compassionate young woman of Christ. It is through your recognition and sharing of your talents and your experiences that you will find happiness, love, and fulfillment. Do not be afraid of God’s plans for you.


As you continue to grow into adulthood, don't forget to look around you. Pay special attention to the problems that you see in the world, especially those that make you say, “This is awful. God, why don’t you do something?”. Perhaps Jesus has given you eyes to see what many others are missing. He might be saying to you “I did, I created you” so think to yourself when you see a need: “if not me, then who? If not now, then when?”. You might not know it at the time but responding to the need that you see may bring you happiness and peace while meeting one of the world's deepest needs. Whatever you do, whatever life choices you make in the pursuit of your education, future and happiness, know that Jesus is with you and that we are right behind you! “Be the change you wish to see in the world” (Gandhi) and remember that “those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves” (James Barrie).

As you enjoy the retreat this weekend, reflect on yourself, your relationships, your hopes and dreams, and who you want to be in your life. Your presence at the retreat means that your heart is open to the Lord’s working in you. Remember to actively keep your heart open to God’s love, grace and mercy every day and to live your faith each day.

Our prayer for you is that you take the time to enjoy your life and to discern God’s plan for you. Live in the moment and make decisions on your journey through life that will take you to where you want to go and that means the most to you as you reach for your goals. Remember that it is okay to stumble and make mistakes. We hope that you know that we are always here for you, and that NAME especially is if you ever need anything or want to talk.

Know that, as you keep chasing your dreams, we are always praying for you and supporting you. We pray that our Lord leads you and guides you, blessing your future with amazing experiences and supportive, kind friendships that last. May God give you peace and wisdom, and may His angels surround you as you prepare to go into the world. We hope that your high school experiences are filled with fun, that you create memories to last you a lifetime, and that you find your voice as you continue to grow up.


May every sunrise hold more promise and every sunset hold more peace.


Lots of hugs and love always,

Signed by you.






“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.”

~The Beatitudes, from Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

They are letters of encouragement that use the scripture and other religious verse to lift up the person reading them. When I went on my HS retreats, they would be a fantastic surprise that would arrive while we were midway through the retreat and we were given time alone to read them and reflect on them. I still have them all tucked into my high school bible!

 

[powellrj]

Since this post is from 2009, I know Christines DD graduated from HS then because my DS also graduated the same year. They have both been graduated from college for several years now.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Ughhhh....I have to start looking at dates before responding to these threads. Why do they get brought back from the dead?!

 

[PremedPhilosophy]

It seems so hard to believe that you are a senior in high school! We’re sure you’ve been hearing this a lot lately. Very soon, you'll be off to college and you will be starting to chase your dreams in a different but new and exciting way. As you look towards your future and are discerning what college to attend, remember that college is an awesome four years of your life! You will grow as an individual, learn so much about yourself and what you want to do in this life, make friendships that will last a lifetime, laugh like crazy and party, study hard and learn so much about our world, and discover what you are called to do. Our hope for you as you decide what college to attend is that you know that it is more than okay not to have everything figured out-- you don’t need to know your major or what you want to do after college or if/where you want to study abroad or anything like that. That will all come in due time. For now, our advice to you is to visit each campus and walk around without the tour, pick a university that has lots of options so that you can explore your interests. Imagine yourself there when you visit and, if you really can’t decide, know that God is with you at every point in your life, especially when you are feeling uncertain and when you make decisions. It may be cliche to say but God’s plan is always and everywhere perfect.


As you start your journey as an independent young adult, never forget that you are loved by many and that Jesus loves you very much and has unique plans for you. The keys to what these plans are – or will be – will be found in your heart. So remember to always be honest with yourself and attentive to your talents. It is through them that you will find your way to happiness and fulfillment. Do not be afraid of God’s plans for you.


As you continue to grow into adulthood, don't forget to look around you. Pay special attention to the problems that you see in the world, especially those that make you say, “God, why don’t you do something?”. Perhaps Jesus has given you eyes to see what many others are missing. He might be saying to you “I did, I created you”. You might not know it at the time but responding to the need that you see may bring you happiness and peace while meeting one of the world's deep need. Whatever you do, whatever life choices you make in the pursuit of your education, career and happiness, know that Jesus is with you. “Be the change you wish to see in the world” (Gandhi). Think to yourself: “if not me, then who? If not now, then when?”.


As you enjoy the retreat this weekend, reflect on yourself and your life. Your presence at the retreat means that your heart is open to the Lord’s working in you. Keep your heart open to God’s love, grace and mercy every day.


Our prayer for you is that you take the road which takes you where you want to go and that means the most to you as you reach for your goals. We hope that you know that we are always here for you. Know that, as you keep chasing your dreams, we are always praying for you and supporting you. We pray that our Lord leads you and guides you, blessing your future with amazing experiences and friendships that last. May God give you peace and wisdom, and may His angels surround you as you go into the world. We hope that your experiences are filled with fun, that you create memories to last you a lifetime, and that you find your voice as you continue to grow up. May every sunrise hold more promise and every sunset hold more peace.

 

[PremedPhilosophy]

I posted these letters because I was looking for an outline and no where on the internet could I find one

Since this post came up, I thought I'd add it for future reference