May 17 - Summer Events and 2022-23 (up)Dates

https://dohyouth.org/summerministry

If you’re looking to build some momentum in your ministry, then I would highly encourage you to bring your kids to one (or more) of our summer events. We know that youth ministry is built on relationships. And, there is no shortcut to building relationships. You must spend time with young people and get to know them. These events are gifts to parishes and schools to do just that: spend time with your kids in environments that are Christ-centered. Don’t miss that opportunity. Parents, send your kids with their youth minister to these events, or come alongside them.

Eucharistic Congress: June 10-12 at Carroll College: https://diocesehelena.org/eucharistic.... This event is open for all, although it’s really geared towards high school and older. We will have speakers, workshops, and other typical stuff at a Catholic event. But, the highlight will be the Eucharistic procession from Carroll College to the Cathedral on Sunday. You do not want to miss this.

Right off the heels of that event is the St. Kateri Institute, June 12-15: https://www.carroll.edu/summer-experi.... If you are looking for an event that dives deep into the teachings of the Church about Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, especially through the lens of Creation, in truly unique environments, then this is for you. We will do a boat tour on the Missouri, visit some working ranches, do some hiking and other excursions, and have some really engaging lessons from Carroll Catholic Studies and Theology faculty.

Then, we have Justice Outreach Project June 19-24 in Browning: https://dohyouth.org/jop. One of the unique things about this year is that we will be staying in Heart Butte this year, which have not done before. This will give us the chance to get know and serve a community that we haven’t spent much time with. Then, I found out from Fr. Rod last week that JOP will coincide with the Missionaries of Charity visit to the reservation. I’m looking forward to meeting and working alongside them.

https://legendarylodge.org: In July we have High School Camp at Legendary July 10-15, then Leadership Camp July 17-22. There are still a few spots left in the Leadership Camp, so make sure to register ASAP.

We also have several other opportunities for ministry in July, starting with the Legendary Adventure Camp: https://legendarylodge.org/adventure-.... If you are looking for the depth of theology of the St. Kateri Camp, and want to test your physical endurance by backpacking several miles each day, then this is for you. It’s a 5-day backpacking experience in the Bitterroot Mountains with Fr. Kirby. There are 3 weeks available. All are co-ed, and limited to 10 spots each. Week 1 is July 11-15, week 2 is July 18-22, and the third is July 25-29.

Finally, Carroll College has launched what the Theology of Adventure Camp: https://www.carroll.edu/summer-experi.... Similar to the Legendary Adventure Camp, the idea is to spend time thinking, prayer, and recreating in the wilderness. However, this camp is more accessible to those who are worried about having to hike several miles a day for a week. This camp starts at Carroll’s campus on Saturday, July 30 and goes through the following Friday, August 5.

That’s a busy summer, and I’m super excited to be outside with young people, sharing in these moments of encounter with our Creator.

Turning to next year, a few updates:

I’ve got tentative dates set for our events. We’ll follow a similar calendar as always. One significant note:

CYC Board will have 3 meetings next year, plus a spiritual retreat, which will be open to any high school youth. I have had dozens of conversations and spent hours in thought and prayer about next year. I’ve been thinking about event-based ministry as a whole and how the events we do are supporting (or not) the faith formation of our people. I have a lot to say, but let me just summarize by saying that we will be moving in a direction where CYC Board will be offering a spiritual retreat to all high school youth in December.

Rather than having a regular Board meeting in December, we are going to make that a retreat and invite any high school youth to participate. What the retreat will look like is yet to be determined, but it will be similar to what you would expect at any retreat, like a Search or Awakening. CYC Board will probably come up with some catchy name for it next year.

Let me also add that all CYC Board members are expected to participate in this retreat. Just because we’re moving from a “meeting” to a “retreat,” it doesn’t mean that this is optional.

That’s it for this week. Please pray for me, pray for our bishop, and we will all pray for our young people.