Youth Ministry Newsletter

January 2025

Dear Friends in Youth Ministry,

Happy New Year! I hope 2025 is off to a great start for you so far!  


I’m going to start of the new year a little differently:

I’d like your help with something!


I am trying to get a snapshot of high school youth ministry today in the Archdiocese of Seattle… it would be really helpful if you could take just a minute and share how this looks in your parish right now! This will take less than 2 minutes, and it will really help to give us a good understanding of the current ministry offerings to this important age group! 

High School Youth Ministry Snapshot (CLICK HERE) 

A huge thank you!


Please know I am here to support you as you minister to the young people in your parishes or high schools! You are welcome to contact me any time – I’m happy to help with whatever you need, and I’ll come to your parish or high school to meet you in person, no matter where you are located in the archdiocese. Please contact me if you’d like to schedule a visit!


You can reach me at Kimberly.abadir@seattlearch.org, or 206-274-3175. I look forward to talking with you soon!



Blessings to you!

Kimberly

FEATURED ANNOUNCEMENTS

MIDDLE SCHOOL ENCOUNTER: MARCH 15, 2025 –

KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL


The 2025 Middle School Encounter is coming up on Saturday, March 15th at Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien! This year’s theme is Fully Known – Flyers and other marketing materials will be available soon!

TEEN JUBILEE SERVICE PROJECT: APRIL 26, 2025 


This year 2025 is a Jubilee Year! This year-long celebration includes two special events – one for youth and one for young adults: a Jubilee of Teenagers from April 25 – 27, and a Jubilee of Youth (for Young Adults 18-35) from July 28 – August 3. Blessed Carlo Acutis will be canonized in April and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati in August! 


This year also marks the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Seattle! Find out about all of the upcoming events around the Archdiocese at 175th Anniversary of the Archdiocese of Seattle - Archdiocese of Seattle. 


As part of the 175th Anniversary, we are invited to participate in the Season of Service between March 1st and May 31st, and on April 26th, we will host a local celebration of the Jubilee for Teenagers, combined with service activities to participate in the Season of Service. Mark your calendar and keep an eye out for additional details!


Are you planning to take a group to Rome for the Jubilee? If so, please let me know! I would like to help connect the groups who are planning to go this April or this July. Please email me at Kimberly.abadir@seattlearch.org if you are considering a trip!


ARCHDIOCESAN YOUTH COUNCIL – A FEW OPEN SPOTS!


We have a couple of council members who just completed their term at the end of December, and there are a handful of openings to fill. If you know of good candidates for the youth council, please invite them to apply! You can find out more about the Archdiocesan Youth Council and the application link HERE!


UPDATES FROM THE ARCHDIOCESAN YOUTH COUNCIL!


The Archdiocesan Youth Council will meet next month in person to discuss the Middle School Encounter, the Teen Jubilee Service Project, and engage in formation activities. 

ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARCHDIOCESAN CONFIRMATION RETREATS: 2024-2025


There are still spaces available at some of the archdiocesan Confirmation Retreats this coming year! If you’re interested, please complete this FORM.  


Here are the Saturday dates which still have openings (depending on your group size):


  • March 22nd: St. Frances Cabrini, Lakewood
  • May 3rd: St. Nicholas, Gig Harbor
  • May 10th: Mary, Queen of Peace, Sammamish

DO YOU KNOW?


We have a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program in the Archdiocese of Seattle called the Catholic Lifesaver Corps (CLC). This team of high school students (16 & older) have been trained and certified as facilitators of the 4-hour safeTALK suicide prevention workshop. They offer regular trainings in their schools and nearby parishes to educate fellow students on the signs of suicidal ideation and the necessary steps to keep their peers safe. More information can be found at: Catholic Lifesaver Corps

LET ME KNOW IF YOU...



Have any questions about Confirmation policies or record-keeping. We also have a Q&A resource on our youth ministry leader's page.

HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS MINISTERS:


Do you have any news or updates to share about ministry in your school? If so, please let me know!

YOUTH MINISTRY ZOOM GATHERINGS

Please join us on Thursday, February 13th from noon – 1:00pm. The format is very casual – it’s a time for you to ask your questions and hear from others - Grab your lunch, log on, and join us! Here are the details:  


Join Zoom Meeting

https://scu.zoom.us/j/98000832557?pwd=aUIzOTlmakROUmYwbmYyMjdBTG5tdz09

Meeting ID: 980 0083 2557

Password: 360555

Join by phone:

+1 (669) 900-6833

Meeting ID: 980 0083 2557

One tap mobile

+16699006833,,98000832557#

UPCOMING DATES

  • 1/25/25: Confirmation Retreat (Our Lady of Fatima, Seattle)
  • 3/11/25-3/12/25: Annual Faith Formation, Youth Minister Retreat (Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way)
  • 3/15/25: Middle School Encounter (Kennedy Catholic High School, Burien)
  • 3/22/25: Confirmation Retreat (St. Frances Cabrini, Lakewood)
  • 4/5/25: Confirmation Retreat (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Bothell)
  • 4/26/25: Local Teen Jubilee/Season of Service Project
  • 5/3/25: Confirmation Retreat (St. Nicholas, Gig Harbor)
  • 5/10/25: Confirmation Retreat (Mary, Queen of Peace, Sammamish)
  • 6/10/25: Annual Faith Formation and Youth Minister Conference (Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way)
  • 7/7-7/12/25: Camp Solanus for Girls (Middle School) (Black Lake Bible Camp, Olympia) https://www.stnicholascc.org/new-camp-for-girls
  • 8/10-8/15/25: Camp Solanus for Boys (Middle School) (Camp Hamilton, Monroe) https://www.stnicholascc.org/camps
  • 8/12-8/14/25: Unplug with the Lord Retreat (High School) (Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way)
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