Ascend Teaser and Promo Video!

Happy Holy Thursday Everyone! I'm just about to head over to St. James for our Holy Thursday pilgrimage with Archbishop Sartain, but before I do -I wanted to share with you this Ascend teaser video that we just finished earlier this week. Check it out here or click on the video picture to the right.

As well -we're shooting a promo video and we'd love to get your youth involved! We'll be learning the dance moves to our Ascend theme song: "Movements" by a great Irish band: Rend Collective. They were in Seattle just a month or so ago, and they are a lot of fun. Besides, their song fit's perfectly with this year's Ascend theme "Marked to Move." Because that's what we've got to do -keep making our move to JESUS CHRIST.

At any rate, the video shoot is scheduled to be at the field behind St. Martin of Tours's parish hall on Saturday, May 5th at 12:30 pm. Check out the flyer here or click on the pic to the left. Address: 2303 54t5h Ave. East. Fife, WA 98424

It's sure to be a lot of fun, and we'd love to see you there! If you can't make it though, we'd love to come to your youth group to give a short talk on what it means to be "marked to move" and do a mini video shoot to edit you into the video. Or, if you'd just like us to come and do a presentation on Ascend, we'd love to do that to. (BTW: no need to plan on coming to Ascend to be in the video)

All right, well -I'm going to be late for Mass if I keep writing. Have a Blessed Triduum!

Redefinition of Marriage in Washington

The resources page of the OYYAM website has been updated with documents regarding the redefinition of marriage in Washington. Check them out here. One is a letter from our Archbishop. The other is an FAQ regarding the referendum.

New SEARCH Promo Video! (Deadline 4.9.12)

Check out our new promo video for our first Archdiocesan SEARCH Retreat! If you know any high school aged youth who want to hang with JPII and Jesus all in the same weekend, tell them to get their registrations in by April 9th!

I'm really looking forward to this retreat --Our theme is Blessed John Paul II's quote: "It is Jesus you seek when you dream of happiness. He is waiting for you." And indeed He is, waiting for all of us to cast away every sin and encumbrance that binds us, and run the race set in front of us! So let's run! And run so as to win!

I'm reminded of that scene in Hook where the kid is playing baseball with all the pirates -and they all chant "Run home Jack! Run home Jack! Run home Jack!" Well, that's what we're supposed to do -and that's what this retreat's about: Run home! Run home to Jesus! He's waiting for you! Run, and don't stop running until you can sing with our Switchfoot buddies, "This is home! I'm finally where I belong!" (Don't get why I'm talking about Switchfoot? Well, then you didn't watch the video, did you?)

I hope that this retreat will be both rejuvenating and transformative, driving home the awesome truth of the Father's Love for all 7 billion of us! Have a sunny Seattle Friday!

Confirmation Retreats Fast Approaching!

"A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a Spirit of counsel and of strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD."

Hearing this reading today at Mass, I couldn't help but think of our coming Confirmation retreat season --as this is the very passage from which ancient theologians drew up the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (you'll notice some translation differences) I, personally, am very excited about the coming retreats --which I pray will be opportunities for the youth of this Archdiocese to "set the whole world on fire", to quote Blessed John Paul II.

The deadline for December's retreat has passsed, but we are offering 4 more in the coming months for those parishes who would like to take advantage of this opportunity. You can find out more here. Like I said, change is happening and we're excited about the changes we've been implementing in our Confirmation Retreats over the past year. At all our Confirmation Retreats we will be focused on providing:

1.) The opportunity for Mass, Confession, and Eucharistic Adoration at every retreat
2.) A transformative conversion experience that leads youth into a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ
3.) Solid catechesis rooted in the teachings of our Catholic faith.

Blessings to you all, and Happy Advent!

Young Adult Ministry Launched in Seattle

The Archdiocese of Seattle recognizes the importance of the parish as a spiritual home for every individual, and is excited to announce its implementation of parish-based small group ministry for young adults! The first stage will consist of piloting initial groups in four regions of the Archdiocese – Seattle, Vancouver, Tacoma and in the Northern part of the Archdiocese– with teams of young adults from various parishes in that region. The groups will gather twice a month for faith formation and leadership training. Faith formation in the small groups will incorporate prayer, fellowship, Scripture study and Catechesis, all tailored to address the unique needs of young adults. The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry will directly support these groups through resource provision, small group facilitation, assistance in evangelization skills and peer ministry development, and a consistent presence. To compliment the small groups, the Archdiocese will continue to offer large events, such as Wine and Wisdom, monthly service opportunities and multiple yearly retreats.

During the second phase of implementation, members of the pilot group will take the model and ideas back to their own parishes, with the intent of rooting a meaningful young adult community in their parish, integrating similar programs within that community, and training new leaders to ensure the continuation of the ministry into the future. We believe this cycle can only have a positive impact, particularly because it is peer-driven and encourages a greater ownership of new ministries. The Archdiocese will continue to support and advocate for parish-based small group ministry, and will provide ongoing leadership development.

Annual Fall Gathering

Come join us for the annual Fall Gathering on September 8th from 9-4 at the Palisades. We will have Bob McCarty join us, to present on emerging models in Youth Ministry.

Strong Catholic Families/ Strong Catholic Youth

Dear Youth Ministers,

The Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry in collaboration with the Office for Catholic Faith Formation, the Catholic Schools Department and the Office of the Vicar for Clergy are preparing to offer an in service and training to help you and your parish better support families.

This is one of the most common concerns when I am meeting with youth ministers, we need to do more to help support parents in this role. This event is free to attend and will provide the training you need in order to host this process at your own parish.

Please email bridget.harris@seattlearch.org to register or for more information.

Additionally look for the Spanish language training in the Fall of this year. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

In Christ,

Bridget


Bridget Harris
Director, Youth Ministry and Young Adult Ministry
Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Archdiocese of Seattle
206-274-3175
www.seattleoyyam.org

Youth Evangelization with Bob McCarty

First, you have requested training for yourselves and your parish volunteers. We have a wonderful opportunity in Bob McCarty, the Executive Director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. On June 12 from 12:30-4:00 he will be leading a workshop on Youth Evangelization. We invite you and your core teams to come either after mass or before for this very rewarding workshop. We will be sending more information in the coming days.

Encountering the Risen Christ

As we enter the Season of Easter, we are celebrating the Risen Christ and all that means for our faith. We are encountering the Risen Christ in our daily lives, in our scripture and in our tradition. We are seeking him always.

Our Easter liturgy reads from the Gospel of Matthew:
"Then the angel said to the women in reply, "Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.'"

For people who grew up in the Papacy of Pope John Paul II the phrase "Do not be afraid!" remains etched in our memory as his constant call to the Church, especially the youth of the Church. It is on my Facebook page for everyone who reads it to see, "Do not be afraid of Christ. Open wide the doors to Christ."

As we enter Easter, we are living in the reality of the Resurrection and hear a call to seek the Risen Christ. That we ought not be afraid of the Resurrections, but seek Jesus Christ in His glory and open the doors of our hearts to Him. As we also conclude our Easter Octave, we celebrate the Mercy of Christ on Divine Mercy Sunday and the Beatification of Pope John Paul II, the Pope who frequently reminded us to not be afraid, but rather run toward Christ and open our hearts to his love and mercy.

Everyday we create opportunities for our youth to experience the love of Christ, to open their hearts and the doors of their lives to the Risen Christ. We are usually good about creating that same space in our own lives as well, but sometimes need support to make this our priority. This Easter Season, what will we do to seek Christ? How do we open our hearts and our lives to Christ and how do we celebrate His Divine Mercy?

We in the office assure you of our prayers for you and your ministry and ask likewise as we enter into final preparations for many summer programs, including One Week, Summer Camp, World Youth Day, Ascend and Camp 4:12. We would also invite you if you have special intentions you would like prayed for, to please send those to us so we can include them in our daily prayers.

In Christ,

Bridget Harris

Dear Friends, Greetings in Christ from CYO! We have a number of opportunities coming up for community members to get involved, give back with their time and talents, and have fun with friends doing good work! WE NEED YOUR HELP TO PREPARE FOR SUMMER! Invite your family, friends, and neighbors for a day of community and service. This can be a great way for youth who need to accumulate service hours to fulfill these requirements! Regardless, young and old are invited to attend the following volunteer opportunities: CYO Family Easter Egg Hunt When: Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 11-5 pm What: volunteers will be asked to arrive early and assist with the set up and execution of the Easter egg hunt. Volunteers will also be needed to help face paint, play games, and lead tours of camp! Where: Camp Don Bosco 1401 327th Ave NE Carnation, WA 98014 *Lunch provided!* Work Party for Camp Hamilton! When: Saturday, May 7, 2011 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. What: Prepping Camp Hamilton for Summer Camp with a number of different projects. Prepare to spend a day working in the peaceful forests of Hamilton, many projects will be outdoors. **Lunch and Dinner provided!** Where: Camp Hamilton 25405 Lake Fontal Rd Monroe, WA 98272 Work Party for Camp Don Bosco! When: Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. What: Prepping Camp Don Bosco for Summer Camp with a number of different projects. Many projects will be outdoors. Prepare to get dirty and have fun! **Lunch and Dinner provided!** Where: Camp Don Bosco 1401 327th Ave NE Carnation, WA 98014 Please RSVP to Jamie.fredrickson@seattlearch.org by the Thursday prior to the event so that we know how many to expect for meals. If you have dietary considerations we should know of, please include that in your RSVP e-mail. We look forward to seeing you there! Peace, The CYO team