7th & 8th Grade Overnight

Twice each school year, CYFM invites 7th and 8th Grade Students from all of our surrounding parishes to come together for a special overnight led by our retreat team and several high school peer ministers.  The retreats are designed to be both catechetical and fun, with many community-building activities. Each overnight is designed to meet the Archdiocesan Guidelines for Catechesis for one of four catechetical themes: Jesus and the Gospel Message, Morality, Prayer, or Relationships. The themes are addressed in creative ways, helping the 7th and 8th graders to integrate the content of their faith into their daily lives and relationships. At the same time, through organized games and icebreakers, community meals, and active music breaks, retreatants make new friends and enjoy spending time with friends they have met on previous retreats.

From Ben, an 8th Grader on the January 2008 “Morality – Making Choices We Can Live With” Retreat:   “Some of the things I enjoyed from the weekend were the numerous games, ice-breakers, discussions, and prayer services. We played games like hide-and-go-seek pictionary and had different balloon races and relays. All of the Cap Corps Volunteers gave talks in the conference room and they were really inspiring. I think I can speak for everyone on the retreat when I say that night prayer in the chapel was one of the coolest parts. I mean how many times can you go to church in your pajamas and sit in the middle of the floor with all your friends really late at night?  It was a really powerful experience for everyone.”

Our Upcoming 7th and 8th Grade Retreats are:

• October 19-20, 2012 - Bring It On: The Lowdown on Prayer
• October 20-21, 2012 - Bring It On: The Lowdown on Prayer
• February 1-2, 2013 - Let's Talk About Love: Growing in Relationships
• February 2-3, 2013 - Let's Talk About Love - Growing in Relationships
• October 25-26, 2013 - Jesus and the Gospel Message
• October 26-26, 2013 - Jesus and the Gospel Message