Ascend: Message from the Director

We are a week away from an amazing gathering of Catholic High School Youth Leaders from all around Western Washington. Pack your bags, water bottle, and flashlight and don’t forget your bug juice! This year’s theme – Extreme Makeover: Disciple’s Edition will invite all participants to take part in a renovation of leadership! This week will be filled with amazing speakers including Sr. Miriam Heidland, Casey Ross and Tauno Latvala as well as dynamic workshop presenters! Our hope is that the week strengthens our high school leaders understanding of discipleship and their call to share their God given gifts with their parish communities as well as the larger community!

After a week at ASCEND I always walk away re-energized and hope-filled for our young church. We have a great staff who is dedicated to serving God and ministering with youth! It is always a blessing to be a part of the great energy (from both the participants & staff), creativity, and to witness the depth of love that all have for God and our faith. I look forward to seeing “old faces” and meeting “new” ones!

…to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ… -Ephesians 4:12

PS – Calling all Youth Ministers and Youth Ministry Coordinators who will be sending youth to ASCEND: You are invited to join us for a special dinner planned and put on by the youth. Come share a meal and witness “leadership-in-action” as well as check-in with your students about their experience! This special dinner will be Thursday, July 2nd at 5 pm (please contact us for directions and more information).

Joy Galvez
Ascend Director

Ascend Registration

Ascend Registration closed on Monday, and we are now in late registration time where spots are still available on a first come first served basis. We are excited for the 90+ teens who have registered for this year’s Ascend. This week of leadership training is focusing on the leadership of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and how we are called to build the Church as Disciples of Christ.

Today the staff gathers one last time before Ascend to prepare and get everything together. We look forward to seeing everyone at Ascend 2009 in 11 days.

For more information about Ascend or any of our other leadership development programs visit the Leadership Development Blog.

Search Retreat Date Set

OYYAM is pleased to announce that we will be offering a Search model retreat for High School Youth in the Fall of 2009.
After pulling youth ministers from around the Archdiocese it was determined that, this retreat will take place on October 2-4 at Camp Don Bosco. Cost is $55 per person for 2 nights and all meals.
Search is a well established retreat format designed to help teens encounter Christ, develop community and share their experience of faith.
For more information contact Bridget Harris or look for more information in the upcoming E-newsletter and more blog posts.

Retreat Ministry - Become a Young Adult Service Team Member!

We want you!
Are you a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church who is a young adult between the ages of 21-29 looking for a year-long service internship in Retreat Ministry? The Archdiocese of Seattle is currently accepting applications for this ministry area of our Young Adult Service Team!

Have you had a great retreat experiences as a youth or young adult? Are you creative about sharing spirituality with youth and young adults? As a member of the Impact Retreat Team, you will have the opportunity to promote, plan and lead retreats for parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle. Youth and Young Adult retreat offerings may include Confirmation, Marriage Preparation, Preparing for High School, Young Adult Lenten Retreat, Relationship Retreat, Search and many more!

Team members live in community and work in a variety of internships within the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Interns will be provided opportunities to work in all aspects of ministry for youth and young adults, in this case, specifically in Retreat Ministry. Team members receive lodging, food, monthly stipend, and health insurance stipend in addition to training and formation. This opportunity provides hands-on ministry experience in a supportive environment.

If you would like to learn more or have any other questions at all, please contact Frances Farrell at frances.farrell@seattlearch.org, or call 206.382.4562. To Apply, click on the Young Adult Service Team blog and then on the Application link on the right and mail it to:
OYYAM
Attn: YAST Application
710 - Ninth Ave
Seattle, WA 98104

Applications are due on Monday, July 6th, 2009 to our Office. Thank you, may God bless you in your discernment process and we hope to hear from YOU!

Last Middle School Retreats for 2008-2009 School Year

Servando and I just returned from leading the last of our Middle School Retreats. We could not have asked for nicer weather to hold a chunk of the retreat outside. This was a great way to end the year with a small class from Saint Joseph School.
We are looking forward to next year, and already scheduling retreats for the beginning of the year. If you are interested in scheduling a retreat next year please email oyyamretreats@seattlearch.org with questions or click on Catholic School Retreats for more information on specific offerings and prices.
Thanks for a great school year of retreats.

Ascend Staff Gatherings

Ascend is offically 27 days away and the staff is busy working on getting ready.

The following staff gatherings are scheduled:
· All Staff Gathering: June 10th from 6-9 PM at St. Nicholas in Gig Harbor
· Ascend Work Party: June 17th from 10 am to 4 pm or done in the OYYAM Offices
· All Staff: June 28th