Meet Bridge

Hello again!


Now, I introduce myself after introducing the Blog.

I am a cradle Catholic. I went to a Private Catholic School until fifth grade in which I started homeschooling. When I started homeschooling, I was still relatively naive about my faith and how to really praise and follow God. JJ and C started getting involved in Youth Ministry almost immediately (we started homeschooling at the same time) and making new friends. I couldn't wait until I was old enough to join the youth group they were in!

Shortly after I started homeschooling, I realized more and more how much I hadn't been taught about the Catholic Church while in school. Was this because the government didn't like Catholics? Maybe I was in the middle of a revolution! I found, instead, that my parents had only counted on the school to teach me what I needed to learn about the faith. This is highly inadvisable if this is what some are doing. A school can only do so much after teaching you about Science, Math, Geography, History... so on and so forth. They are not responsible for my faith life.

When I started to find out about all the things I hadn't been taught in school about Catholicism, I started going to retreats and getting more involved in my faith. Mom and Dad wanted me to get a better grip on what the youth do in our diocese/state. JJ and C were both involved in making retreats so I naturally went to one that they helped make. My first was called "Middle School Youth Rally". While I can't say it was the best experience with retreats(I've been to so many wonderful ones), it was eye opening. There were a lot of youth there putting it on (two of them being C and JJ) and leading the middle schoolers, respectfully talking about prayer and Jesus Christ. Passion blazed their words when they talked about God and His Mercy that I was very taken aback. The group of youth putting this on was called the Diocesan Youth Council. At this time, I was only about 12. It made an impression...

After I turned 14, I was admitted into the Diocesan Youth Council long after applying two years before, hoping to slip into the group. I was denied at first, but only because I was under than the suggested grade and age while other people wanted to join the group. I was, as you can imagine, really exited when I got in. At the same time I got into the DYC, my mother and I were asked to join a group called the Vermont Catholic Youth Workers. They are a group of adults who provide resources and training for other adults in Catechises and youth oriented programs in the Catholic Church. The reason they wanted me was for a Youth's perspective on what adults should teach other youths. This sounded interesting so we said yes. Since then, C has joined this group. (My mother was invited because she seemed the perfect adult addition.)

In the middle of this whole process, I was attending many retreats and going on spiritual pilgrimages with my family (including World Youth Day which we will talk a lot about later.). I came to love the people I went to these retreats with and respect those that made it happen. I really couldn't have gone to most of the things I've gone to if it weren't for a specific three people.
God really is awesome!

In Christ,
Bridge

Meet C. ...

Hi, Bridge explained this blog rather well, so I don't actually have to say much on that account.

I want to share a bit of my faith story, and my retreat story too! (they have much to do with each other).

The first retreat that I ever went to was called Youth 2000. It took place in Massachusetts, and it was a weekend retreat (as opposed to a one day retreat). Youth 2000 is hosted by the Franciscans(I think it's the Friars of the renewal, but I'm not positive). They are so wonderful! They really bring out the feeling of the true Faith. They breath life into the Church, they describe and explain things so well, as to open me up to even consider the religious life!

This retreat followed the basic awesome retreat schedule:
Registration
Food
Mass/Prayer
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for Perpetual Adoration(through the night and everything!)
Lights Out by 11:00 or so
Wake Up at around 6:30 or 7then Breakfast
____________________________________________________
This day(usually Saturday) is the day that all the talks and workshops happen.
At Youth 2000 we also have small group times to discuss the talks, and all the Speakers are Franciscans! The most common talks to have would be the Vocational talks, and then you can have talks based somewhat on that year's theme.
____________________________________________________

The meals happen throughout, and a couple of breaks. We don't want to make this retreat too grueling! ; )

I remember one year, the talk that was given in the evening was about the Way of the Cross. A talented Franciscan did an awesome in depth talk (he had props and it was very involved) about the way it must have been like for the Lord to be crucified back then, and what the crucifiction entailed.

Youth 2000 also trains an awesome team of youth who help outat the retreat and are the small group leaders. Though, I think they had to cut back on the youth help, since last time they had Brothers and Sisters leading the small group sessions.


As for my faith story, I usually just think of my vocational discernment, and what journey that has taken me on.

It think I will save that story for next week... ; D

Love you all!!

in Christ,
C.