New Website launches tomorrow

On January 1st OYYAM will officially launch our new website. Www.seattleoyyam.org will now take you to this new site, where you can access all information from oyyam including all our blogs and programs. Seattlearch.org will no longer have any up to date information so be sure to use seattleoyyam.org, for information from the office.

Junior High Rally

Junior High Rally is just over 2 months away.

Doors open at 8:30 on March 6th at Highline Community College.

Cost is $50 per person before February 22nd
After February 22 cost is $55 a person

Check the Rally blog and the new OYYAM website regularly for updates about rally as they become available.

OYYAM Opens Wednesday

The OYYAM offices will be re-open on Wednesday, December 30, 2009.



We hope you had a wonderful Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from OYYAM!



We wish you and your family a blessed and joyful Christmas!



The angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid;

for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy

that will be for all the people.

For today in the city of David

a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.

And this will be a sign for you:

you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes

and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,

praising God and saying:



“Glory to God in the highest

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”



Luke 2:10-14

Chancery Christmas Closure

The Chancery will be closed from Dec.23-29 for the Christmas holiday.

Blessings to you, your families, parishes and communities as we begin the Christmas Season.

Young Adult Lenten Retreat

OYYAM is once again offering the popular Young Adult Lenten Retreat. This year Fr. Bryan Dolesji will facilitate the weekend at Camp Hamilton. The retreat begins at 8:00pm Friday, February 26 and ends around 1:00pm Sunday, February 28th.

Cost is $60 per person (scholarships available)

For more information please email Bridget Harris

OYYAM's New Website

In the next few weeks, OYYAM will be launching a new website and will no longer have content on the Seattle Archdiocese site. When this migration is complete we will have all our content including our blog information available through www.seattleoyyam.org. The blogs will still be up and updated regularly but will no longer house all the same content.

Summer Leadership Programs

Registration is opening soon for the summer leadership programs. The Ascend/Ascend HD Planning Team has been busy planning that experiance for all of us and registration forms will be mailed out next week. Planning for Camp 4:12 and Summit Junior High will begin soon.

For information about any of our leadership programs please go to the Leadership Programs Page or email Bridget Harris.

OYYAM Office Closure

Please note that the OYYAM offices will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 16-17, 2009 as we participate in our staff retreat. Please keep us in prayer in the next few days.

We will be back on Friday, Dec. 18, 2009.

Looking toward Summer Camp

Summer seems far away but for those who have experienced camping and can’t wait to get back it doesn’t seem soon enough. We are finalizing schedules and registration to open soon so check the Camping blog regularly for updates on camp programs and registration.

Everyone who has been to Camp knows the many wonderful experiences they shared with their fellow campers. This year CYO is trying to offer those experiences to even more youth throughout the summer. Read the Blog post from the Camping Staff to learn more about some of these opportunities.

Make sure to check the calendar for camp and be ready when registration opens.

Confirmation Retreat #2

The early registration deadline for Confirmation Retreat #2 has been extended to the end of thiw week, Friday December 18. This retreat is scheduled to take place January 15-17 at Camp Don Bosco in Carnation.

For more information about this Confirmation Retreat or to check the schedule for the remaining 6, please check the Confirmation Retreat Page

Advent Retreats

Advent: from the Latin adventus meaning "coming." It's that time of year when we light candles on a wreath and count down the days and weeks until Christmas. Instead of just counting, this time can be used as a way of preparing and growing spiritually.

To help with this, our Retreat Ministry Team is offering the "Turn to Me: Advent Retreat." A day-long retreat for middle school youth groups or classes that offers participants an opportunity to see what God is inviting them to. Using the example of Mary’s “yes” to the angel Gabriel, participants will explore what they’re saying yes to and what it means to turn to God.

To schedule a retreat for your middle school contact us at oyyamretreats@seattlearch.org

Applications Available: Young Adult Service Team 2010-2011

Although it feels as if the year has just begun, it is time for us to being accepting applications for the Young Adult Service Team (YAST).





YAST is a wonderful opportunity to give a year of service and gain experience in Youth and Young Adult Ministry.


To Apply, download the complete Application and Process Description: Application - YA Service Team Description of Application Process.



For more information about the team check out the YAST webpage.

2010-2011 Camp Rentals

Are you looking for retreat facilities or a camp to host training and teambuilding sessions?

Take a look at our camps and facilities.

Hurry! Camp rentals begin booking for the 2010-2011 year on December 15, 2009 and the days and weekends fill up quickly.



For more information about facility rentals please e-mail Bridget Harris.



We look forward to seeing you at camp.

The latest addition to Camp Hamilton

Construction has begun on the new Bradshaw High Ropes at Camp Hamilton. This High Ropes course replaces and expands the old and now unusable high elements at Camp Hamilton. Although right now it is just a few posts by mid-winter this high ropes course will be complete and available for groups to use year round.

For more information about the member of our community in whose honor this course is being built check out the blog post about U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brian N. Bradshaw. Check back to the Summer Camp Blog and the challenge course web page for more updates on construction and on the course itself.

To inquire about prices, possible uses for this course to help your youth or availability, please contact Bridget Harris.

Confirmation Retreat #1

The Impact Retreat Ministry Team is looking forward to our FIRST Confirmation Retreat of the year!



This retreat is designed for high school age youth who are preparing for confirmation. It serves to supplement the parish confirmation program and the content is designed to meet a variety of needs. Participants will learn more about the sacrament of Confirmation and its relationship to our call to discipleship.



For more information please see the Confirmation Retreats page or contact Bridget Harris with additional questions.