youth & young adultS
The Valley Catholic
October 21, 2014
Reconnect: COME AS YOu ARE
3
‘Our goal was to let
young adults know the
church is there for them.’
Retreat chaplain
Fr. Joe Kim
Earl Rivard was the worship leader during
the Pure Fire Young Adult Retreat.
By Liz Sullivan
or stay away Catholics. We not only
In an age of instant connections
wanted to renew them spiritually, but
(Smart Phone, iPad, tablet, computers),
we wanted to plant the seed of them
a group of young Catholics came togiving back to the church.”
gether the first weekend of October to
Stan Cordero, former Director of
strengthen their connection to God, the
Youth and Young Adult for Santa Rosa,
Catholic Church and each other.
served as the keynote speaker. CorThe Diocese of San Jose’s Youth and
dero also facilitated four sessions over
Young Adult Ministry
the course of the three
held a three-day Puredays. Among the ses‘We not only wanted sions: Identify Yourself as
Fire retreat at Vallombrosa Center, Menlo Park
God’s Masterpiece; There
to renew them
for young adults. Young
is a Plan for You; Reconspiritually, but we
adults are classified as
necting and Connecting.
18 (college) to 39. About
Breakout sessions
wanted to plant the
50 people, along with
included: Conversions
seed of them giving Lifetimes (about saints);
10 leaders attended the
retreat.
back to the church.’ Building Community in
This year’s theme was
a Broken World; DiscernReconnect: Come As You
ment; Building RelationAre. Youth and Young Adult Ministry
ships; Learning to be the Light; Lessons
Director Steve Do explained the retreat
in Love for a Hopeless Romantic; Find
as “a possible entry point back into the
a Soul Mate and counseling sessions.
church for people. Maybe young adults
“Retreats have always been my
who were on the fringe with their faith
favorite form of ministry,” said Mary
Saint Dominic was known as the Joyful Friar!
Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose preach the Good News of God’s Love.
Got Joy? Friend us!
Religious Life
Discernment Retreat
Nov. 7-9, 2014
6 p.m.–2 p.m. Sun.
RSVP:
www.msjdominicans.org
Shop with the Sisters on
November 22nd & 23rd
from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
for our Annual Holiday Boutique
Call 510-933-6333 to find out ore about discerning a life
choice with us. We have a wide variety of ministries and service opportunities
in the United States and Mexico. Visit 43326 Mission Blvd., Fremont, CA 94539
facebook.com/
dominicansistersofmsj
www.msjdominicans.org
O’Grady, assistant retreat coordinator.
“They pull me far enough away from
the busy world and for long enough that
I can actually build a relationship with
God. When The PureFire retreat started
up 4 years ago, I went as a participant,
in search of friends. As a director, not
only did I get to serve young adults,
but I also grew a very strong friendship
with the other retreat directors through
our planning meetings and praying
together. Knowing that once again I
would be able to give back through my