Youth retreat will incorporate prayer, music and All Saints Day and Day of the Dead traditions

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SALT LAKE CITY — The diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry is calling all youth from the Eastern Deanery to gather for a retreat that will include a celebration of the Day of the Dead and All Souls Day.

The day will be focused on youth ages 13 to 17 who are participating in Confirmation classes.

This retreat was designed for these youth because “we realized that there are few, if any, events specifically for youth in this area,” said Junuee Castro, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, who talked with some of the leaders in the Eastern Deanery as well as with Fr. Rafael Murillo, pastor of Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish, before planning the event.

“With this retreat we want the youth to find joy in celebrating our Catholic faith. We want them to have moments of reflection, prayer, music and also celebrations related to All Saints Day and the Day of the Dead,” Castro said.

The retreat will be bilingual.

“We want the youth to come and get excited about knowing each other, about knowing other Catholic youth. … We hope to bring more unity,” Castro said.

There will be three main talks presented by Castro and two lay ecclesial ministers.

Members of the Saint Anthony of Padua Parish youth group will guide the games and some activities, said Castro, who decided to integrate the celebration of All Saints Day and the Day of the Dead into the retreat to make it more dynamic.

“We will have an altar contest. … We will talk about these two celebrations, why they are celebrated, their origins … and then we will divide the participants into different groups so each one of them can create an altar,” Castro said.

The retreat also will be an opportunity for the youth to pray for and remember loved ones who have passed away.

Castro extends an invitation to the Catholic youth from Vernal, Roosevelt, Ft. Duchesne, Helper, Huntington, Green River, Moab, Ephraim, Gunnison, Price and vicinities to attend the retreat.

“I want and hope that all the youth will respond to this special call,” Castro said. “We need them active in our communities so they can share the joy, and so we can together live and enjoy our faith celebrating occasions like this.”

WHAT: Youth retreat

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Notre Dame De Lourdes Parish’s Hope Center, 185 N. Carbon Ave., Price

COST: $5 p/p

Registration required by Nov. 2. To register, visit  https://www.dioslc.org/about-us/diocese-calendar/special-events/29-eastern-deanery-youth-retreat, or contact Junuee Castro, 801-328-8641 ext. 313 or Junuee.castro@dioslc.org.