A newsletter for those working in parishes, high schools, and college campuses | | |
Dear Friends in Youth Ministry,
It has been my joy over the past three years to greet you with the Youth Ministry Services Newsletter each month! As many of you know, I am stepping into a new role as the Director of the Lifelong Formation department. Our team works together to support the formation of missionary disciples throughout every stage of life, and comprises the ministries of faith formation, sacramental preparation, marriage and family life, Christifideles, lay minister clearances, and youth and young adult ministry. As these ministries are integrally connected, we’d like to re-envision this newsletter to better reflect this close collaboration, especially among youth and young adult ministries.
So, we are pleased to present to you the first edition of the Youth and Young Adult Ministers’ Newsletter! This monthly communication is for everyone working with young people, including parish-based staff and volunteers, and high school and college campus ministers. This newsletter will offer helpful information for you, including:
- Tools and resources for ministering to young people
- Events and trainings for youth and young adult ministers, campus ministers, and faith formation leaders working with these age groups
- Upcoming events for youth and young adults
You’ll notice the sections below with Info for Ministers, Events for Youth, and Events for Young Adults.
I’m pleased to let you know that Garth Pereira (Director of Youth Ministry) and Diana Casallas Lopez (Director of Young Adult Ministry) will be sending you this newsletter going forward. (You may remember that Garth joined our team as Assistant Director a few months ago – we are thrilled to welcome him into his new role as Director!)
As always, our entire Lifelong Formation team is here to serve you and support you in your ministry. Please let us know if there is anything you need!
Blessings to you!
Kimberly Abadir, Director of Lifelong Formation
Kimberly.abadir@seattlearch.org | 206-274-3175
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GREETINGS FROM GARTH:
I am honored and privileged to be able to serve you in this new role. As a youth I attended WYD in Denver where I heard St. John Paul II say, “This is no time to be ashamed of the Gospel. It is time to preach it from the rooftops!” I answered the call and spent the next 28 years working with NET Ministries forming youth missionaries, and then 2 years ago my family moved to the Peninsula where I served as Director of Faith Formation and Youth. I have a passion for forming youth leaders in evangelization. I have worked with hundreds of youth ministers and parishes over the past 30 years and know the joys and challenges that youth ministers face. I look forward to getting to know you and assisting you with bringing young people to Christ.
Garth Pereira, Director of Youth Ministry Services
garth.pereira@seattlearch.org | 206-274-3149
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GREETINGS FROM DIANA:
My name is Diana, and I am originally from Colombia. I’m bilingual, a native Spanish speaker and fluent in English, and have been living in the U.S. for almost ten years. During this time, I’ve had the joy of walking with young adults in their faith journeys, and now I am honored to serve as Director of Young Adult Ministry as we continue this mission together: forming young disciples and becoming disciples ourselves.
I first began this journey by coordinating a Hispanic young adult group in a vibrant, multicultural parish. It was through that experience that I discovered my vocation. In serving others, I came to hear God’s call more clearly. Today, I’m joyfully married and a grateful mother to a beautiful baby girl, blessings that continue to shape my life and ministry.
As the U.S. Bishops remind us in Listen, Teach, Send, “The Church must listen to young adults, learn from them, and help them discover their gifts as they grow in holiness.” That quote reflects my deepest passion: to accompany young adults, support our ministers and volunteers, and help build a Church that reflects the love, joy, and mission of Christ.
I’m excited to support your ministry whether through sharing resources, answering questions, brainstorming ideas, or simply offering a listening ear. We are in this mission together: to become disciples and to make new disciples.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, I’m more than happy to walk alongside you on this journey.
¡Que Dios los bendiga!
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Diana Casallas Lopez I Director of Young Adult Ministry
diana.casallaslopez@seattlearch.org | 206 382-2010
| Youth Ministry and Young Adult Ministry belong to the Lifelong Formation Department | |
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DID YOU KNOW?
The Youth Ministry Website lists previous editions of the Youth Ministry Services newsletter as well as a variety of helpful resources for Confirmation, Safe Environment, and permission forms
The Young Adult Ministry Website provides helpful information about upcoming events, and ways to connect with young adults, including a starter kit for launching a young adult group in English (YA Starter Kit 2025 REV) and Spanish (Spanish YA Starter Kit)
LET US KNOW IF...
Have a leadership program for teens or young adults in your parish. How do they serve their peers, 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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RETREAT FOR WOMEN DISCERNING RELIGIOUS LIFE – November 7-9 at the Peace and Spirituality Center, St. Mary on the Lake, Bellevue
A retreat for women aged 20-45 with the opportunity to meet other discerners and vocation ministers from various religious congregations. Sponsored by vocation ministers in the NRVC Pacific Northwest. Click here for additional information and to register. Click here for a printable flyer (Register by 10/31)
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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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CATHOLIC YOUTH CONVENTION 2025 - Saturday, November 15th at Saint Martin's University, Lacey
REGISTRATION OPENS WEDNESDAY, October 15th! You can check out the details and sign up at the CYC 2025 Event Page.
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’re looking forward to welcoming your high schoolers at CYC 2025!
CYC 2025 Flyer - English
CYC 2025 Flyer - Spanish
Saints in the Making LOGO
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HOW TO SAVE 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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CONFIRMATION RETREATS IN 2025-2026:
We are offering several Confirmation Retreats during the 2025-2026 year in locations throughout the Archdiocese.
There is still space for the following dates:
- 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!
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LA RED ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING "Protagonist of Hope: Nurturing Faith in Action" - November 3-6, 2026 at Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way
Sponsored by LaRed National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana
We are blessed and excited to welcome the La Red National Conference to Seattle this year!!! Is a unique opportunity for those who accompany Hispanic/Latino youth and young adults in the life of the Church to connect with a national network of peers, share real challenges, and exchange practical ideas. You’ll gain hands-on tools and training alongside spiritual nourishment rooted in the vibrant faith of Latino communities.
La Red (La Red de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana) is a national Catholic network dedicated to supporting leaders through formation, collaboration, and shared mission. This conference is ideal for young adult ministers, youth ministers, campus ministers, parish leaders, volunteers, and pastoral leaders who work with Hispanic / Latino youth and young adults (or those seeking to better accompany them), it could be beneficial for non‑Spanish speakers or bilingual ministers who serve Latino communities and want to grow in cultural competence and accompaniment, While much of the content will be presented in Spanish or Spanglish, live English translation will be available throughout the conference, making it accessible to everybody serving in multicultural or bilingual settings. This is GREAT and really interesting for everyone in Partners in the Gospel.
Participants will leave equipped with concrete resources, workshop insights, and pastoral encouragement to immediately strengthen their parish ministry. We invite you to be part of this inspiring event that will strengthen your ministry and help build a more vibrant, inclusive Church. Learn more at and register here.
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ADVENT RETREAT FOR YOUNG ADULTS - Saturday, December 20, 2025 at the Peace and Spirituality Center, St. Mary on the Lake, Bellevue
Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace
A retreat for young adults - Give yourself the gift of time and prayer this Advent at the beautiful Peace and Spirituality Center in Bellevue. Click here for more information and to register. Click here for a printable flyer.
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10/18/25: Confirmation Retreat (St. Olaf, Poulsbo)
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11/3-11/6/25: La Red Annual Membership Meeting – Pastoral Juvenil (Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way)
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11/7-11/9/25: Women’s Retreat with the NRVC (St. Mary on the Lake, Bellevue)
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11/15/25: Catholic Youth Convention 2025 (Saint Martin’s University, Lacey) Events Page, Flyer (English), Flyer (Spanish)
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12/20/25: Advent Retreat with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace (St. Mary on the Lake, Bellevue)
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1/31/26: Confirmation Retreat (Our Lady of Fatima, Seattle)
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3/7/26: Confirmation Retreat (St. Frances Cabrini, Lakewood)
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3/16-3/17: Annual Lenten Retreat for Youth Ministers and Faith Formation Leaders (Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, Federal Way)
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3/21/26: Middle School Encounter MSE 2026 (Kennedy Catholic High School, Burien)
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4/18/26: Confirmation Retreat (Mary, Queen of Peace, Sammamish)
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5/2/26: Confirmation Retreat (St. Nicholas, Gig Harbor)
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6/10/26: Annual Faith Formation Conference (Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at the Palisades)
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