Kari Janisse

-Plan your retreat in advance. Keep in mind the youths’ calendars and stay away from any “big event” dates such as homecoming, prom, championship games, etc. -Select a location nearby where parents can drop off/pick up easily. Having bus transportation can cost more and eat into your budget. -Look for a retreat house/facility that works…

-Do you have statues, shrines or holy images around your parish complex? Have a “mini walking pilgrimage” meeting walking around to each statue, saying a prayer near it and learning about that particular statue. -If there is a local Cathedral or Basillica near you, call to see if you can set up a private tour….

-Hook up with a local organization or soup kitchen to either make sandwiches for them or to serve meals at the organization site. -Make “blessing bags” which is a Ziplock bag filled with snacks, a water bottle, tissues, mints (or really anything of this sort) as well as a home-made, cheerful card. With adult supervision…

Meet them where they are, this could be church, but even more you will find them at sports events, plays and other activities that they are involved in at school. They need you, especially at difficult times of their lives, such as when losing a loved one. Be there for them. If possible attend the…

Don’t let too much time go in between going to Confession. Sin keeps us out of the light. Find a good examination of conscience that helps you prepare for the sacrament and save it on your phone. Use it before making each Confession. Don’t be afraid! It’s the only most often repeated phrase in the…

Have a regular time of day which you pray. Consistency helps. Don’t be afraid to be spontaneous. I.e. instead of killing time on a newsfeed or texting while waiting in line at store, you say a decade of the rosary. Listen. Sometimes we don’t have to do all of the talking. Try different prayer devotions…

At each Mass you not only hear His Word in Scripture, but you receive Christ Himself into your soul. Our Church teaches in the Catechism of the Catholic Church article 1324 The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” Daily Mass is the great way to gather youth together before school or…