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Youth Ministry Newsletter
September 2025
| | Dear Friends in Youth Ministry, | | |
Blessings to each of you as we begin the month of September and welcome the start of a new school and ministry year!
We hope you will join us at the upcoming Fall Gathering on Tuesday, September 16th at the Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center in Federal Way. This event is for all ministers involved in faith formation: The morning session offers important information about archdiocesan policies and is designed for anyone who is new in their role. The afternoon is for all ministers and includes updates from Lifelong Formation and opportunities to network. Please see additional details in the Featured Announcements section below.
We are also excited to let you know more about the High School Catholic Youth Convention taking place on Saturday, November 15th! Our theme this year is (We are) Saints in the Making, and we are thrilled to welcome our keynote speakers Fr. Maximiliano Muñoz (Parochial Vicar for Family 48), and Fr. John O'Brien S.J., “the Relic Hunter” (and Director and Jesuit Superior for Martyr's Shrine in Canada.) Please see additional details below, including a link to the flyers you can use to promote this event among your high school students – We look forward to seeing everyone at CYC 2025!
As always, we are here to serve you and support you in your ministry. Please let us know if there is anything you need!
Blessings to you!
Your Youth Ministry Services Team
Kimberly Abadir, Director:
Kimberly.abadir@seattlearch.org | 206-274-3175
Garth Pereira, Assistant Director (Youth Leadership Development): garth.pereira@seattlearch.org | 206-274-3149
Joseph Tancioco, Lifelong Formation Program Manager: Joseph.tancioco@seattlearch.org
Lisa Hillyard, Lifelong Formation Resources Specialist:
Lisa.hillyard@seattlarch.org
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ANNUAL FALL GATHERING - September 16th at the Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way
Join us on Tuesday, September 16th for a day of helpful resources to support you in your ministry this coming year! The morning is designed for new ministers, and all others are invited to join for lunch, Mass, and the afternoon session. Please register by Tuesday, September 9th!
REGISTER HERE
SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY
For New Ministers:
8:30 AM – Check-in/continental breakfast
9:00 AM – Welcome, prayer, and introductions
9:20 AM – Overview of the archdiocese, catechetical foundations, website/resources
10:20 AM – Break
10:30 AM – Human Resources (Matt Boswell)
11:00 AM – Safe Environment Program: Circle of Grace (Cathy Wiswell)
For New and Seasoned Ministers:
11:30 AM – Lunch
12:30 PM – Parish Financial Reports and Budgeting (Scott Bader)
1:30 PM – Coffee Talk and Networking Opportunity
2:00 PM – Lifelong Formation/Lay Ecclesial Ministry/Christifideles
2:30 PM – Mass
3:30 PM – End of day
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CATHOLIC YOUTH CONVENTION - Saturday, November 15th at Saint Martin's University, Lacey
This year’s theme was chosen by our Archdiocesan Youth Council – they’d like the young people in Western Washington to know that we are all Saints in the Making! We are pleased to share the flyers for this event as well as the logo so you can start promoting it! Please check the CYC 2025 Events Page often for updates, details, and additional promotion materials! Registration opens next month.
CYC 2025 Flyer - English
CYC 2025 Flyer - Spanish
Saints in the Making Logo
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HOW TOSAVE A LIFE. SCHEDULE A SAFETALK FOR YOUR TEENS THIS COMING YEAR!
Teens are struggling.
Anxiety, depression, and isolation are rising—and too many suffer in silence. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth and young adults in America.
But there is hope.
Teens are the first ones to see the warning signs in other teens if taught how. The Catholic Lifesaver Corps provides high-quality peer-to-peer suicide prevention training facilitated by Catholic high school students who have been certified as safeTALK facilitators.
Don’t wait.
Start the conversation that could save a life.
Contact Garth at garth.pereira@seattlearch.org for more information about the Catholic LifeSaver Corps or to schedule a SafeTalk at your parish, free of charge!
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SAVE THE DATE! LENTEN RETREAT FOR YOUTH MINISTERS AND FAITH FORMATION LEADERS - March 16-17, 2026, at the Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way
You have a wonderful and exciting ministry year ahead! It will be fast-paced and full of fun, and by this spring, you might like a little time to replenish and renew. Carve out a little time now and save the date: You’re invited to the Annual Lifelong Formation Lenten Retreat. We’ll share additional information with you in the coming months.
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WORKSHOP FOR TEAMS PROMOTING VOCATIONS IN PARISH FAMILIES – September 13th at St. Michael, Olympia
Ask your pastor if there are plans for forming a Vocation Ministry Team in your parish family to cultivate vocations to the priesthood and religious life. If so, speak to him about attending this workshop that will help to equip you and the team. Find out more and register for this event here.
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CONFIRMATION RETREATS IN 2025-2026:
We are offering several Confirmation Retreats during the 2025-2026 year in locations throughout the Archdiocese:
- Saturday, October 18th: St. Olaf, Poulsbo
- Saturday, January 31st: Our Lady of Fatima, Seattle
- Saturday, March 7th: St. Frances Cabrini, Lakewood
- Saturday, April 18th: Mary, Queen of Peace, Sammamish
- Saturday, May 2nd: St. Nicholas, Gig Harbor
Please click here to reserve your spot at one of these retreats!
And a quick reminder:
If you haven’t already done so, please complete the Confirmation Date Request Form 2026 and return it to the Archbishop’s office (even if you are not requesting a date next year).
Questions: contact Rob Prather in the Archbishop’s Office at Robert.Prather@seattlearch.org. The deadline is Friday, September 12th.
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VOCATIONS RETREAT - September 27th at St. Augustine, Oak Harbor
St. Augustine parish in Oak Harbor is offering a Vocations Retreat for adults and high school and middle school students. This full-day event offers answers, learning, prayer and fellowship. Guest speakers include Fr. Chris Hoiland, Fr. Tyler Johnson, Fr. Dwight Lewis, and Sr. Genevieve Osayame, EHJ. View the flyer or contact adultff@staugustineoh.org to RSVP.
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DID YOU KNOW?
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The Youth Ministry Website lists previous editions of this newsletter as well as a variety of helpful resources for Confirmation, Safe Environment, and permission forms!
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LET US KNOW IF YOU...
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Have a leadership program for teens in your parish. How do they serve other students, what is their role, and what do you do to train or prepare them? Email Garth at garth.pereira@seattlearch.org!
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HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS MINISTERS
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Do you have any news or updates to share about ministry in your school? If so, please let me know!
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9/16/25: Annual Fall Gathering for Faith Formation Leaders and Youth Ministers (Alexander Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way) Register Here
- 10/18/25: Confirmation Retreat (St. Olaf, Poulsbo)
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11/15/25: CYC 2025 (Saint Martin’s University, Lacey) Event Page, Flyer (English), Flyer (Spanish)
- 1/31/26: Confirmation Retreat (Our Lady of Fatima, Seattle)
- 3/7/26: Confirmation Retreat (St. Frances Cabrini, Lakewood)
- 3/16-3/17: Annual Lenten Retreat for Youth Ministers and Faith Formation Leaders (Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way)
- 3/21/26: MSE 2026 (Kennedy Catholic High School, Burien)
- 4/18/26: Confirmation Retreat (Mary, Queen of Peace, Sammamish)
- 5/2/26: Confirmation Retreat (St. Nicholas, Gig Harbor)
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