June 3, 2009

Activities combining faith and outdoor fun abound this summer in the archdiocese

By John Gleason

School is either out or nearly over for the academic year and many events, outings and programs are scheduled for youth of the Archdiocese of Denver to enable them to enrich their faith, enjoy friendship and have fun this summer. Below is a list of some of those activities slated for the coming months.  To make sure you don’t miss out on anything, contact the youth minister in your parish.  Unless otherwise indicated, details on the following events may be obtained by calling the Office of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry at 303-715-3178 or e-mail stefania.elsmore@archden.org.

St. Joseph School, 127 N. Howes St., in Fort Collins, is offering a summer enrichment program for grade school-aged children June 1-5.  Classes range from cooking to drama, castles to rockets and much more.  Morning and afternoon sessions are available.  Cost is $80 per session.  For more information, call 970-484-1171.

Catholic Youth Day at Elitch’s will be held on June 6.  Cost is $28, which includes admission to the park, Mass, lunch and concert. For more information contact the youth office at your parish.

Catholic Animation Camp will be held this summer at Regis University for two sessions: June 8-12 and June 15-19.  Each session is an intensive course in computer animation, where students age 15 and older train on the same software that Hollywood uses.  Space is limited. Call 303-358-1108.

Vacation Bible School, two sessions, will be offered at St. Catherine of Siena Parish. Sessions are set to run June 15-19 and July 13-17.  The morning sessions, titled Jerusalem Marketplace and Power Lab respectively, are now taking reservations for children ages 5-7.  For more information, call Colin at 303-455-9090.

Guppy Fest 2009 is coming to St. Thomas More Parish on June 19. Guppy Fest is a Catholic youth celebration that started as a follow-up event to World Youth Day 1993.  The youth rally incorporates praise and worship, skits, development of leadership skills, evangelization and community. Participants attend breakout sessions, listen to speakers, engage in fellowship, participate in lively discussion, attend Mass and unwind at the end of the day with a dance.  Call David Tschumper at 303-220-3388 Ext. 1 for details and cost.

Summer softball league will begin June 21 and run through the end of July with the final tournament on Aug. 1-2.  Those interested in playing should contact Jan at 303-452-2041 Ext. 109.

Denver Leadership Conference will be held June 22-25 at the John Paul II Center in Denver.  The conference is for all who are involved in youth ministry.  Join guest trainers Ted Sri and Tim Gray from the Augustine Institute, spiritual director Father Scott Traynor and Director of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry Christopher Stefanick for a week of professional development that will refine your vision and fire you up for youth ministry. For more information, contact the Office of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry at the number above.

Steubenville of the Rockies is still accepting reservations.  The conference for teens will be held July 17-19 at the Colorado Convention Center.  For more details or to download registration, forms go online to archden.org/steubenville2009 or call the Office of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry.

God in the Rockies, a week-long outdoor adventure for junior high school students, will be held July 12-18 at St. Malo Catholic Retreat Center in Allenspark.  The adventure includes hikes, campfires and sleeping in teepees but will also include daily Mass, eucharistic adoration, Stations of the Cross and teachings on Catholic spirituality and formation. For more information, e-mail godintherockies@gmail.com.
 
College Freshman Send-Off Mass with Archbishop Charles J. Chaput O.F.M. Cap. All 2009 college freshmen are invited to attend. The Mass is set for  6:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 1530 Logan St., Denver.  A reception will follow for all those who attend and their families.

2009 Servant Leadership Weekend is set for Aug. 14-16 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 2298 S. Logan St., Denver.  Come be part of a working, praising, inspirational and fun-filled weekend.  For more information, call David at 303-220-3388.