Youth Ministry

Peace unto you all!

Here in the Pastoral Centre we're slowly recovering from the pains of the Riders loss last night. Even I, new to the province, feel some pain for the rider nation and the effort that was not rewarded. But be assured, God rewards all in Heaven! Beginning this week, I'll try to write a brief note of news before just listing events in the Diocese. Be sure to send me an email if you'd like your event advertized.

Also, as it is the AWESOME season of Advent, be sure to check our slowly expanding resource section which has links to download weekly reflections for youth to use in a group, home, or insert in bulletins. Also are two online retreat/reflections you can enjoy and pass on!

I will be expanding and indexing the resources section as I have time in the coming month with websites, books, youtube videos, prayer services and other ideas you can download and use. Feel free to submit anything you think others would enjoy as well! God Bless and keep it real!

-Colm

Upcoming Youth/Young Adult events this month:

Youth Coordinators Meeting: December 3rd, 12 - 2PM @ TSui King Lau Restaurant
The Youth Ministry Office invites all workers/volunteer leaders of youth ministry in the Diocese to meet to celebrate the season of Advent and the first few months of ministry this school year. Come share your joys, struggles, ideas, and memories as we look back and look on to Youth Ministry in the Diocese. Please contact Colm to RSVP or for more info @ 242-1500 ext 225 or youthmin@saskatoonrcdiocese.com

DIG's Annual Mall Crawl! Friday December 11th, 7 PM @ Midtown Plaza.
Stay tuned for details on this great adventure of discovering Christ in the midst of the shopping madness! Gr. 9-12

Stay in the loop about Youth & Young Adult events!
Website: www.saskatoonrcdiocese.com/youth ministry
Email: Email subject "newsletter sign up" to youthmin@saskatoonrcdiocese.com for our weekly annoucements
Facebook: "Diocese of Saskatoon Youth Ministry Office"
Twitter: ymosaskatoon

Hello!

Please spread the word!

We are looking for young people who have participated in any activities, or campaigns, or THINKfasts, or JUST YOUTH Groups of Development and Peace. The deadline is Nov 20, let us see how varied a response we can get (everybody loves surveys, right!).

Development and Peace ONLINE YOUTH SURVEY

Are you a young person (35 and under) who is involved in the Development and Peace movement or has previously participated in Development and Peace events and activities?

Take a moment to share your opinion with us. Fill out our survey for a chance to win a basket of fair trade products (chocolate and other goodies worth over $75)!

DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE is currently working on our next strategic plan for 2011-2016. We want to offer YOU, our membership, Education and Advocacy programs that reflect YOUR concerns – the concerns, the beliefs and ideas of active and involved youth.

Please take 15 minutes of your time for an organization you love and answer our 8-question survey!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=SZxx445heQh_2fSh39cSZOIg_3d_3d

The survey is open until November 20th, 2009. One winner for the basket of fair trade products will be selected on November 23rd, 2009.

We really appreciate your input. Thank you!

Peace,

Genevieve

Genevieve Gallant

Youth Programs Office

Development and Peace

10 St. Mary Street - suite 420, Toronto

416-922-1592 ext 230  1-800-494-1401 ext 230

ggallant@devp.org

www.devp.org

http://youth.devp.org

The Journey to WYD 2011 in Madrid!

I've gone to World Youth Day since 2002 in Toronto. I must say every time my life has been changed. Not always in profound, obvious ways like a sudden conversion like St. Paul, but in the every day moments. Looking back I can see who I am days, weeks, years after and who I was before each pilgrimage is quite drastic. Sometimes it is the relationships built from them that strike me the most. The lifelong friends, memories shared, and growth in one's vocation and relationship with God.

Toronto in 2002 taught me to be proud of my faith, Cologne in 2005 made me love the rosary and silence, and just recently Sydney in 2008 exicted me about my vocation to married life. I thought maybe my run had ended, but was surprised and excited to learn of the opportunity to help lead a Diocesan Group from Saskatoon to Madrid in 2011. I'm really excited to uncover the wisdom the Lord wishes to give to all 32 pilgrims from across the Diocese of Saskatoon coming on this trip.

Now for most of the group, this might be their first time to Europe! So we've extended our pilgrimage (not a vacation!) to enhance the once in a lifetime experience that is WYD. We're beginning our pilgrimage in Rome for two days, visiting many holy places such as the tomb of Pope John Paul II whose vision brought about World Youth Day. Next we will visit Assisi and reflect on the lives of St. Francis and St. Claire before continuing our journey in Santiago de Compostela. It is there that we will be for Days in the Diocese and share our lives with the local faithful hosting us. There we will be at the end of the famous "Camino" pilgrim route and visit the Basilica of St. James. Finally a week in Madrid, with visits to Toledo, Segovia and Avila. It is in Madrid that we will have an encounter with Pope Benedict and millions of other young people excited about their faith. Please pray and support our pilgrims as they journey in their faith now and on our trip. We go as pilgrims on behalf of the entire Diocese. So much more important that your financial support they may ask for, we ask for your prayers that the trip may be blessed. Moreover, feel free to email/write us with prayer requests you wish for us to carry in our hearts during this Journey.

The most important thing about a pilgrimage to me is; it starts now. It starts the moment you discern going. The church has created a great tool to help us prepare and remember our experiences of World Youth Day called iActive8 on www.xt3.com Here you can follow along news leading up to Madrid 2011 and read articles, watch videos, listen to podcasts of all sorts of things related to WYD and your faith! It is a great resource for people who've gone in the past, people wanting to stay connected to family/friends gone on pilgrimage, and for people looking for info about going! So If you're looking to organize a trip for yourself or a group to go to WYD this is the place to check out! If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me at youthmin@saskatoonrcdiocese.com

Keep it Real. God bless and Peace!

-Colm

Do you...

Have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, prediabetes or gestational diabetes?
Have an interest in wellness and your community?
Want to share your diabetes story and experiences with others?

Be part of this educational session for ages 18 - 29! Friday November 13th, 4:00 - 8:30 p.m.
White Buffalo Youth Lodge, NO COST

FOR DETAILS & TO REGISTER Michelle.lafayette@diabetes.ca or 306-933-1238 Ext. 235