Discover retreat brings diocesan students together

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
January 13, 2005

MANNING/CHEROKEE - Ninth and tenth graders in the Diocese of Sioux City have the opportunity to experience a retreat prepared by youth and directed by youth for youth.

Two Discover retreats will be held in the diocese. The first is set for Jan. 22 and 23 at Sacred Heart Church in Manning. The second will be held March 5 and 6 at Immaculate Conception Church in Cherokee.

"It's one of the first experiences for high school students outside of their parish to meet people from around the diocese," said Carolyn Von Tersch, DRE and youth minister at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Denison. "There are games and ice breakers to help them warm up. A lot of them come with two or three from their parish, and they don't know the others. There is a lot of bonding and by the end of the weekend they have made some new friends and are excited about other diocesan activities and gatherings."

Young people in ninth and tenth grade are challenged to establish their identity and learn how to relate to others. The Discover retreat addresses these tasks by having young Catholics share, learn, pray and celebrate together as a Christian community.

The Discover team is made up of 12 high school students, including 11th and 12th graders and college students, and three adults from the host schools and parishes. The team is usually made up of students that have previously gone on a Discover and/or a Search retreat.

Discover provides an intensive experience of peer ministry. The retreat focuses on friendship and what makes good friends. One talk is about walking with God and how he is in each person's life. A second talk is about the importance of family given by a parent and a student. Another talk is about the importance of being yourself.

"The thing that I think is the best about all that and means the most for the kids is that the high school and college kids do all the talks," said Charlotte Willenborg, youth minister at Sacred Heart in Manning. "They pretty much lead it. It is kind of like witness talks from their own experience. I think that is what touches the kids the most."

Willenborg commented that she hopes the students form a closer relationship with God by attending the retreat. She also hopes that they develop self-confidence in who they are and that it is okay to be involved in the church.

"It helps the kids meet other kids from the area," said Willenborg, who is in her second year of helping with the Discover retreats. "Once they go to a Discover then they want to get more involved with other retreats, or they want to help at them."

Von Tersch explained that the retreats are a way for her to help the students go back to their parish and want to be involved in church activities and realize that it is not "uncool." The retreats give the students a sense that it is okay to be involved in church functions and enjoy themselves.

"I feel that it does make a difference in the kids lives," said Von Tersch. "Sometimes you get the kids that maybe aren't quite as popular or involved in extracurricular activities in school. They get forgotten. It gives them a place to feel safe and have friends. If they aren't as popular at school, then they can feel accepted and loved within the church community."

Each retreat will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday and conclude at 11:30 a.m. following Sunday Mass. Cost of the retreat is $30 per person with $10 being non-refundable.

Attendees are asked to bring tennis shoes, a pillow, sleeping bag, foam pad or air mattress (they will sleep on the floor), towels, soap, shampoo, other personal items, pop money and a camera for the "Kodak" moments.

Brochures for the Discover retreat have been sent to the parishes of the diocese. It includes a retreat application and health form for each participant to fill out.

The registration deadline for the first retreat is Jan. 18 and Feb. 25 for the second. A confirmation card will be sent to each registrant upon receipt of his or her application. Participants are asked to attend only one Discover retreat during their ninth or tenth grade years.

For more information or to register, contact Judy Forrest at the Central Catholic Offices in Sioux City (712) 233-7520. Make checks payable to the Diocese of Sioux City and send them to Discover Retreat, attention Judy Forrest, PO Box 3379, Sioux City, IA 51102-3379.