Confirmation Retreat
DATE:
TIME:
( Includes 5pm Mass & Dinner ) Consent forms due
PLACE: St Ann's Gym (Ramp entrance please)
Students:
Mass & Dinner
We are asking families for donations of individually wrapped hand-held snacks.
Families, and especially Sponsors, are invited to attend 5:00 pm Mass and join us for dinner immediately following in the gym. Each student should have at least one guest, but may have more!
Letters of Affirmation
Parents, Sponsors, Siblings and other family members are invited to write letters to their candidate concerning their journey toward Confirmation. Letters could include what it has meant to you (as parents) to have them confirmed in their faith, what qualities you admire most about them - basically, a love letter! All letters should be placed in sealed envelopes with the words “Retreat Letter” and the candidate’s name printed clearly on the outside. They may be returned to class with your student or dropped in the rectory drop box, but all candidates must have at least one letter on their behalf before their retreat. Please do not allow your student to read these letters before the retreat!
Absentees
Retreats are always a most integral part of Confirmation preparation, but none more than the last 2 years. Less gathering means less catechesis – less formation. If your child is ill we ask that you kindly supply a doctors’ note or positive Covid test. We will do all in our power to secure them space in another retreat if time allows.
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Our retreat is being facilitated by NET Ministries (National Evangelization Team). NET is a Catholic youth ministry with a mission to challenge young Catholics to love Christ and embrace the life of the Church. On an annual basis, more than 100 young women and men, after participating in an extensive training program, are grouped into teams of 10-12 and sent out in vans to travel across the United States to share their faith and invite all they meet to give their lives to Jesus. While the personal witness of the Team is one of the most compelling aspects of their ministry, they will use a variety of techniques including: skits, games, dramas, music, prayer small group discussion and more, to challenge our youth to embrace their faith. No one can reach our youth like someone close to his or her age and experience. Team members have been trained specifically to reach out and touch the hearts of youth in language and situations with which they can identify.
We have seen these teams in action year after year and they are both spiritually gifted and practically trained! They have much to offer our young people. N.E.T. teams travel from parish to parish during their time in our diocese with each parish providing housing and meals for them. We ask that you, prayerfully, consider opening your home to 2 or more members of the team while they are here. They will enrich your family as they do our students, but you give them the gift of family when their own are so far away!
***The NET Team is responsible for the basic content of the retreat, but our own staff will be on hand to monitor the entire retreat.
For more information about N.E.T. go to: netusa.org
DATE:
TIME:
( Includes 5pm Mass & Dinner ) Consent forms due
PLACE: St Ann's Gym (Ramp entrance please)
Students:
- are expected to attend the entire retreat
- should wear comfortable but respectful clothing (no pajamas/slippers)
- will receive snacks but should eat breakfast/early lunch before arriving
- are asked to clean hands often & honor distances from others
- will consume all snacks in the food area provided or outside
- are asked to deposit their cell phones in safe & sanitary containment provided
- masks must be worn correctly at all times
- may take a mask break when needed – as instructed at retreat
- are asked to relax, open their mind & allow the Spirit to work in their heart!
Mass & Dinner
We are asking families for donations of individually wrapped hand-held snacks.
Families, and especially Sponsors, are invited to attend 5:00 pm Mass and join us for dinner immediately following in the gym. Each student should have at least one guest, but may have more!
Letters of Affirmation
Parents, Sponsors, Siblings and other family members are invited to write letters to their candidate concerning their journey toward Confirmation. Letters could include what it has meant to you (as parents) to have them confirmed in their faith, what qualities you admire most about them - basically, a love letter! All letters should be placed in sealed envelopes with the words “Retreat Letter” and the candidate’s name printed clearly on the outside. They may be returned to class with your student or dropped in the rectory drop box, but all candidates must have at least one letter on their behalf before their retreat. Please do not allow your student to read these letters before the retreat!
Absentees
Retreats are always a most integral part of Confirmation preparation, but none more than the last 2 years. Less gathering means less catechesis – less formation. If your child is ill we ask that you kindly supply a doctors’ note or positive Covid test. We will do all in our power to secure them space in another retreat if time allows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our retreat is being facilitated by NET Ministries (National Evangelization Team). NET is a Catholic youth ministry with a mission to challenge young Catholics to love Christ and embrace the life of the Church. On an annual basis, more than 100 young women and men, after participating in an extensive training program, are grouped into teams of 10-12 and sent out in vans to travel across the United States to share their faith and invite all they meet to give their lives to Jesus. While the personal witness of the Team is one of the most compelling aspects of their ministry, they will use a variety of techniques including: skits, games, dramas, music, prayer small group discussion and more, to challenge our youth to embrace their faith. No one can reach our youth like someone close to his or her age and experience. Team members have been trained specifically to reach out and touch the hearts of youth in language and situations with which they can identify.
We have seen these teams in action year after year and they are both spiritually gifted and practically trained! They have much to offer our young people. N.E.T. teams travel from parish to parish during their time in our diocese with each parish providing housing and meals for them. We ask that you, prayerfully, consider opening your home to 2 or more members of the team while they are here. They will enrich your family as they do our students, but you give them the gift of family when their own are so far away!
***The NET Team is responsible for the basic content of the retreat, but our own staff will be on hand to monitor the entire retreat.
For more information about N.E.T. go to: netusa.org
