Youth Ministry Newsletter

June 2025

Dear Friends in Youth Ministry,

I hope your summer is off to a great start. I have some exciting announcements to share with you this month!

The first: The application process is now open for the new Master’s in Theological Studies (MTS) program! This graduate degree is offered through Christifideles, the formation program for lay ministers in the Archdiocese of Seattle. We are partnering with Saint Martin’s University, and the tuition is very affordable thanks to scholarships from Saint Martin’s and the Christifideles program! “Take advantage of the most affordable theology degree on the West Coast!” See additional details in the “Featured Announcements” section below. The deadline to apply is July 15th.

The second: is still a surprise for now…

And the third: Grab a cup of coffee and join us for the all-new Youth Ministry Virtual Café! This new forum will take place every 2 or 3 months on Zoom and will feature a helpful topic of interest. Jump on this mid-day call to hear important info and share what’s going on with you as well. This month’s topic: The new MTS graduate program and the reveal of the “Big News in Youth Ministry Services!”

This month’s Youth Ministry Café takes place on Tuesday, June 17th at 2pm… See below for the Zoom details!

As always, 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 talk, email, and come meet you in person, no matter where you are 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

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE MTS GRADUATE STUDIES PROGRAM!

(APPLY BY JULY 15^TH)

Earn a graduate degree in theology with Christifideles! The Christifideles program offers a blended in person and online Master in Theological Studies (MTS) degree through a partnership between the Archdiocese of Seattle and Saint Martin’s University. Find all of the details about the program components, ministerial competencies, and benefits of participating in Christifideles HERE!

Here's a flyer with the program description and FAQ’s – please share it with others and spread the word! Now is a time to jump on this opportunity and apply – by the July 15th deadline!

UNPLUG WITH THE LORD RETREAT – August 12-14 at the Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center in Federal Way – Share with your students!

Please invite your high school juniors, seniors and recent graduates to attend this prayerful retreat at the beautiful Retreat Center in Federal Way!

Unplug with the Lord is a 3-day/2-night retreat exploring ways to grow in relationship with God and discern His plan. It takes place at the beautiful Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center in Federal Way, and registration opens soon! Here is the link to the Event Page – please pass it along!

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: APPLY TO SERVE ON THE ARCHDIOCESAN YOUTH COUNCIL – Share with your students!

Applications are now open for the Archdiocesan Youth Council! We invite high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to apply to join this September! Council members represent and advocate for their peers, seeking input from their communities, parishes, and schools, and sharing feedback with Church leaders. We are seeking students from all 10 deaneries and cultural communities – we especially invite students from the Northern, Southern, Olympic, Pierce and South Seattle deaneries to apply!

Click here for additional information and a link to the application

ANNUAL YOUTH MINISTER AND VOLUNTEER TRAINING – August 23 at Holy Family, Kirkland

Mark your calendar now and join us with your whole youth ministry team! This year’s event takes place on Saturday, August 23rd from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Holy Family Parish in Kirkland. This training provides helpful information for you as a minister, for the teens you minister to, and for this next phase of Partners in the Gospel! Registration opens soon!

ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

MARIAN TALK: UNDER MARY’S MANTLE OF HOPE: Various Dates and Locations

Our Blessed Mother invites you to grow in holiness and help rekindle faith—even drawing loved ones back to Christ. In this Marian talk, rediscover the theological depth of the Rosary, its vital connection to the virtue of hope, and how it can rekindle hope in your heart, especially this year during the Jubilee of Hope. Details can be found at Shrine for Mary | Seattle's Marian Shrine.

DID YOU KNOW?

We have policies and guidance for recording joint confirmations – celebrations with candidates from more than one parish. You can find all of the details HERE. You can find additional resources for Confirmation and links to Sacramental Records Policies on the Youth Ministry Services website. (scroll about halfway down the page for the Confirmation section)

LET ME KNOW IF YOU...

Are interested in participating in a pilot project for Confirmation: we are designing a resource for candidates to do with their sponsors during immediate preparation. It is intended to help them recognize their own dignity and the dignity of others through their relationship with God and one another. This new resource is a 3-4 hour activity, which can be an add-on to your retreat or a stand-alone event. Let me know if you’d like more information!

IMMIGRATION UPDATE:

Are you scheduling an international trip with youth this summer? The Immigrant Refugee Services website has important information for you.

HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS MINISTERS

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

ZOOM LINK FOR YOUTH MINISTRY’S VIRTUAL CAFE

Join Zoom Meeting

https://seattlearch-org.zoom.us/j/87987472399?pwd=8BMFO4dZjR2MXpHzjwmeNWObzuSeai.1

Meeting ID: 879 8747 2399

Passcode: 024678

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One tap mobile

+12532158782,,87987472399# US (Tacoma)

+12532050468,,87987472399# US

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Meeting ID: 879 8747 2399

Find your local number: https://seattlearch-org.zoom.us/u/kbjKncMjM6

UPCOMING DATES

6/10/25: Annual Faith Formation and Youth Minister Conference (Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way) Add’l info and registration
6/17/25: Youth Ministry Virtual Café: Zoom
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) Retreat (Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way)
8/23/25: Youth Minister and Volunteer Training (Holy Family, Kirkland)
11/15/25: CYC 2025 (Saint Martin’s University, Lacey)
3/21/26: MSE 2026 (Kennedy Catholic High School, Burien)

Youth Ministry Services