Catch The Wave Retreat - Year 9
“Let’s dip our toes in the ocean”
On Wednesday this week at JPC, our Year 9 students participated in Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia (CSYMA) Catch the Wave retreat within their House groups. This was the next step in their retreat experiences at JPC, and revolved around diving into what faith can look like for young people, which was beautifully shared by the group of visiting Youth Ministers through their testimonies.
All our students embraced the opportunity to join in the fun games and charades, which got the whole group involved – they embraced the day, and actively participated in all the activities run by our wonderful Youth Ministers from the Archdiocese.
Each student experienced
- a chance to reflect on the unique life for which they have been created - a life with the potential to change the world through their actions and faith;
- the testimonies of other young people who live their lives in this way;
- an exploration of their own value-system and how they are approaching life;
Our Year 9s have been invited to participate in the Youth Ministry Elective in the Religious Education course next semester, and 3/4 of the cohort has already signed up for this, so it will be an exciting program!
On behalf of the teachers and Caitlyn, our own JPC Youth Minister, we are so proud of how our Year 9 students actively participated so enthusiastically in the events and discussions. The feedback from our students was that it was a fantastic day and we hope they walked away with a new perspective on the role of faith in their lives. Please discuss your Year 9 child’s experience with them.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
Student Feedback
The “Catch the Wave” was a great experience for us to reflect on our connection with God and give us a perspective on how important youth ministry is and what it can do for us. The youth ministers made us all feel welcome and connected with us.
No matter where you were on your faith journey the people hosting the event still cared for everyone and made us feel accepted. I believe that this expression was used to teach us that faith is a journey and that you might not be there now but if you give it some time you will arrive at your destination.
(It was) a way of connecting people with other people. I really enjoyed the experience from A to Z and everything about it was really good.
The Catch the Wave experience was insightful and engaging, in the way that they encouraged the people even if they did not believe in God, that they are always wanted, needed and are built for more than they think.
There was an opportunity for us to reflect on a letter to someone who is special in our heart whether that was God, parental figures and friends. The games and engaging drama performance made the audience a part of what was happening and allowed them to give their own opinions on the topic. They gave reasons for these games so that they weren’t to waste time.
I enjoyed the experience with the fun activities and moral compasses thrown throughout the sessions and taught all of us the importance of what we believe we can do and what great things we can and are made to do.
Jennifer Tually
Leader of Learning & Wellbeing – Mission & Ministry
Caitlyn D’Cruze
(Youth Minister, JPC)
jennifer.tually@cg.catholic.edu.au