First diocesan youth retreat loaded with fun, activities and education; four others planned

Friday, Oct. 10, 2014

CEDAR CITY – The first of five Catholic youth retreats planned for this year took place Oct. 4 at Christ the King Parish in Cedar City.

Dozens of youth from the Southern Deanery of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City gathered to spend a day filled with activity.

The retreat was organized by the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry  and guided by Reach Youth Ministry, a nonprofit based in Montana with the mission of “bringing young people and Jesus Christ together.” 

“I like how this has given us the opportunity to do different activities with different people,” said Argelia Fierro, who came from Saint George especially for the retreat.

Fierro said she liked being able to gather with other Catholic youth and realize that there are other youth who share her values.

“I really like it. I think this is really fun. We have done a lot of educational activities and I have learned a lot,” said Fierro.

Throughout the day were several activities, including games, Eucharistic Adoration and Mass.

One of the educational activities included  ‘Who Did What’; a multiple-answer game that posed questions about the lives of different saints as well as passages from the Bible. 

As the upbeat music set the mood for the game, everyone in the room was very interested and trying hard to give the right answer.

“Now we got St. Thomas,” was heard during the game.  “After Jesus was resurrected he revealed himself to the disciples but Thomas was not there. When the disciples came back to Thomas to tell him what happened, he said he wouldn’t believe unless: a) They did the hokey pokey; b) Jesus showed his hands as a sign. Is it c) Jesus walked through the locked door? or is it d) Jesus said he will come again? Who says a?” one of the members of Reach Youth Ministry asked, to which all the participants, amid laughter and  a lot enthusiasm, responded with what they thought it was the correct answer.

“The retreat has been a lot of fun. We are having a lot of activities and we are learning more about God,” said Maria Germiniano from Cedar City, who was excited to be part of the retreat.

“I am meeting new friends and also joining my other friends,” Germiniano said. “All the youth should come and participate in these retreats because they can learn more about God and because they will have a lot of fun while they learn.”

Danielle Cole, who is part of the Reach Youth Ministry, said she also enjoyed the retreat and wanted to extend an invitation to other youth to participate in the upcoming retreats. 

“It’s important that the youth participate because besides that they can play sports and a lot of games, they can have a weekend to step back from all the noise and everything that it’s going on in their lives and realize that Jesus is always there. He is always waiting for us to give ourselves to him and to reopen ourselves to his work in our lives,” said Cole.

The retreats are open to youth from 9th to 12th grades, but chaperones are required. 

Information about the upcoming youth retreats follows.

Saturday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.  

Juan Diego Catholic High School, 300 East 11800 South, Draper

Saturday, Oct. 25 , 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. 

Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church, 210 N. Carbon Ave., Price

Saturday, Nov. 8, 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Holy Family Catholic Church, 1100 East 5550 South, Ogden 

Saturday, Nov. 15, 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 1505 W. White Pine Canyon Road, Park City 

Registration at each retreat $20. 

For information or to register, contact Samantha Almanza,  801-328-8641 ext.  357.