Thank you for your interest in the youth minister’s retreat!

What is the Youth Minister’s Retreat?
For years, the Youth Outreach Office has realized that the support we’ve received from youth ministers has been the driving factor behind the amazing growth of the Summer Youth Conferences. The Youth Minister’s Retreat is our way of saying "Thank you!" We want to offer you a weekend of prayer, ministry, and relaxation with other youth ministers from across the country.

When is the Youth Minister’s Retreat?
The retreat will be held January 16-18, 2009 on the campus of Franciscan University. As of now, this will be the only youth minister’s retreat we will be able to offer this year.

Who can come to the Youth Minister’s Retreat?
The retreat is directed towards the needs and concerns of both full-time professional and volunteer youth ministers. It is an excellent way for youth ministry teams to bond and be spiritually fed. Spouses of youth ministers are also invited to participate. All ages will benefit from involvement in this retreat.

How do I sign up for the retreat?
We will have the registration documentation available soon for you to download. You can also call the Christian Outreach Office at 800-437-8368 and register over the phone. We hope to be able to provide online registration in the future.

How many people will be attending the retreat?
Last year we sold out at 130 participants. This year we are opening the retreat to 150 people. We are expecting another early sell-out so please do not delay in registering. We are keeping the numbers low to fully serve each participant and to maintain the intimate, retreat ambiance.

What topics will be covered on the weekend?
The weekend will focus on building you up in your relationship with Christ. We will have Eucharistic Adoration, Praise and Worship, Mass, and Reconciliation on the schedule. Workshops and Breakout Sessions will cover topics of spiritual growth.

Click here to read what youth ministers said about this retreat.

"This was a great opportunity for our team to retreat, bond, and share in the Spirit. It was affordable and the meal plan was great! There was lots of time for personal prayer and for group sharing. Thank You!"
- Youth Minister from Ontario, Canada

"Thank You so much for all the hard work you put into this retreat. It was truly rejuvenating!"
- Youth Minister from Melbourne, Florida

"The praise and worship was awesome! The food service was excellent. I liked the amount of freedom to explore and pray. This was my fist visit and it won’t be my last. Thank You! Thank You! God bless you for all you do!"
- Youth Minister from Sterling Heights, Michigan

"Youth Ministry is just beginning in my parish and it has been frustrating sometimes thinking that we’ll never have an active youth group in my parish. This weekend allowed me to talk to others and learn and feel hopeful that it will come together eventually, if I just surrender my worries to Jesus. Thanks for a great weekend."
- Youth Minister from Truro, Nova Scotia

"This weekend was unreal! Thank you so much! It was amazing and I would definitely do it again."
- Youth Minister from Kenosha, Wisconsin

"I loved that this weekend was for youth ministers and their spouses! My wife doesn’t get to do enough stuff like this with me."
- Youth Minister from Michigan

"I liked that it wasn’t too big. The smaller numbers made it more intimate. I loved that we had the freedom to express our emotions before God without having to worry about chaperoning kids. It was a true cleansing of myself and I pray this will continue. I would certainly like to export all this back to Canada! Praise God. Amen. Amen."
- Youth Minister from Ontario, Canada