Spirit Day Retreat
One-day Confirmation Retreat for Junior High! 

This is the day schedule of a Spirit Day Retreat:

• 8:00 AM - Open Doors to participants  (not earlier) / Se habren las puertas estrictamente as esta hora

• 9:00 AM - Retreat begins / Retiro empieza

• 12:00 PM- Lunch / Almuerzo

• 2:00 PM - Pick up time / Tiempo para recoger a su muchacho

• 3:00 PM - Youth Center Closes  / El centro se cierra

Spirit Day is a one-day Confirmation Retreat for Junior High students preparing for the sacrament.  Our advise is for this retreat to be for those of first year confirmation in order to help you fire them up.  You could keep them engaged in this fire of the Holy Spirit by having them come to our Fired Up Fridays once a month, and end their second year with Holy Fire of the Archdiocese of Chicago.  However, we do welcome those of second year confirmation as long as they have not experienced this retreat yet.  We do recommend this being a one-time experience being that it is the same retreat given every year. 

GOAL: Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the faith of the parish community, the goal of Spirit Day Confirmation Retreat is to provide an opportunity for Confirmation candidates to experience an inner spiritual awakening that will inspire them to strengthen their commitment to a relationship with Christ and His Church.

• • Realize the presence of Christ among us using evangelizing Kerygmatic Catechesis through media, storytelling, witness talks and catechetical presentation.

  • Awaken the Presence of the Holy Spirit within us through prayer/ worship, singing and praising.

  • Commit to a deeper relationship with God in the celebration of the Eucharist and a  life in service of His Church 

Methodology:

• • Using the wisdom and power of the New Evangelization, Spirit Day Confirmation Retreat organizes a spiritual experience that connects us to our baptismal journey.  This experience is organized in three major stages: Evangelization/Catechesis Stage, Prayer/Worship Stage, and Commitment/Service Stage.  

Participants must register strictly through your Catholic School or Parish Religious Ed Program.  Participating Institutions must commit to engaging volunteers from their group of catechists, Youth Ministers and other parish leaders to help as group facilitators or helpers.  It is a $15 per participant fee, which covers food, live band, technicians and much more.  It is $20 per participant if we add students getting a Spirit Day T-shirt.  Your School or Parish collects all fees and makes a one-time payment to Catholic Bishop of Chicago (MEMO: Blessed Sacrament Youth Center).  Parish/School is also responsible of completing the Group Registration Form with accurate numbers by March 1st.  

Los participantes deben registrarse estrictamente a traves de su escuela Catolica o el programa de catecismo de su parroquia.  La institución debe comprometerse a proveer voluntarios de su grupo de catequistas, y ministros para ayudar como facilitadores de un pequeño grupo o ayudantes de seguridad or comida.  El costo es de $15 por participante o $20 por participante agregando una camiseta de Spirit Day.  Este costo incluye comida, una gran producción de calidad, música en vivo, invitados especiales.  La parroquia o escuela colecta los pagos de los participantes, y le da a BSYC un solo cheque junto con la registración del Grupo.  El cheque debe ser (Pay to) Catholic Bishop of Chicago, (Memo) Blessed Sacrament Youth Center.  

1. Young people from all around our neighborhoods, parishes, and schools gain a deeper sense of the universal community

2. Catholic Parish RE programs, and Catholic Schools see a stronger culture of engaged faith and positive energy within their young people as they prepare for receiving the Sacrament. 

3. Young people are being inspired to get involved in their parish youth ministry programs, and parishes see an increase in youth participation

4. Families see a more positive change in their young people who are brining Christ's vibe back to their homes. 

1. Parents must work with their school or parish to register to this retreat.  We cannot accept kids not registered through their school or parish programs.  

2. Parents MUST leave their kids between 8:00-9:00 AM on assigned sidewalk in front of our parking lot gate. Volunteers with security vests will be there to receive your kids and guide them to the entrance of the building.  We will not open to kids before 8:00 AM.  This is very important!!! Kids will need to wait outside until 8:00 AM if dropped off early. 

3. MUST be on time! The Program will start exactly at 9 AM and the doors, for safety reasons will close at 9:15 AM 

4. Parents can stay at the event if they desire, but MUST be willing to commit as a volunteer with the approval of the School or Parish.  They must register as volunteers through their school or parish before the event.

5. Parents MUST come and pick up their kids between 2 PM - 2:45 PM. The building will close at 3 PM.  

1. STEP 1:  Principal, pastor, or CRE/DRE or CYM must complete our online "Initial Interest Form" at least two months from the event.  In the "Initial Interest" form make sure to assign your Spirit Day Contact who would serve as Liaison with BSYC to communicate or complete important prep tasks.  

2. STEP 2: Have your Spirit Day Contact distribute the Spirit Day "Flyer/Consent Form" to your young people.  BSYC will provide the form.  Have your young people return the completed consent back to your Site Coordinator at least one month from the retreat's date. 

3. STEP 3: Your Spirit Day Contact must make sure to recruit the required volunteers based on this guide:

• Group Facilitators: (1 per 15 or less kids). This is an adult who is willing to facilitate a small group with great joy and energy. This person must be in compliance with all requirements of the Archdiocesan Protection of Children policies.  This adult should have some experience working with youth. Example of people who could help in this role are Catechists, Teachers, Youth Ministers, Mentors, etc.

• Registration: (Minimum one person.  Could be the Main Contact)  This is an adult who is willing to help with the Sign-In process for your parish at the event.  This person must have a list of all the kids of your parish and check them as they come.  This person will need to come the night before to help setup your registration area (or very early 7:15 AM on the day of the retreat). 

• Floor Team Volunteers: (1 per 25 kids) Adults, who are willing to help with supportive tasks through the retreat (Registration, Distribute food, carry materials, setup during event, Security etc). 

• Security: (At least one) This is an adult who is willing to help with being safety controller for the event.  This person will wear a vest and must be in compliance with the Archdiocesan policies of the Protection of Children.  This person must be early to the event.  

4. STEP 4: Your Spirit Day Contact Completes our Spirit Day Online "Group Registration" Form using confirmed registrations and commitments from participants and volunteers,  and submits it to spiritday@bsyc.org two months before the event.

5. STEP 5: Your Spirit Day Contact must bring a check before or at the event payable to: Catholic Bishop of Chicago, and Memo to: Blessed Sacrament Youth Center. 

6. STEP 6: Your Spirit Day Contact must make sure that all your volunteers attend the Volunteer Training offered by BSYC the night before the event. This is extremely important for the success of the retreat. 

7. STEP 7: Parents are not allowed at the retreat event unless they are assigned as a volunteer through their parish/school and their name is in the Group Registration Form. 

8. Parents MUST come and pick up their kids between 2 PM - 2:45 PM. The building will close at 3 PM.  

I understand that we, the parents/guardians, are responsible for the transportation of my child to and from the event on the specific times mentioned for drop-off and Pick-up. I understand and consent to pictures and video being taken at the event, including all participants, for the purpose of promotion and marketing of the event and Blessed Sacrament Youth Center.  While food will be provided, my child, through my direction and guidance, will be responsible for choosing the food items best to eat according to his/her health. In consideration of allowing my child to participate in this event, I indemnify and hold harmless the organizers, staff, and volunteers involved in this event from any and all liability.  I realize and accept that in the event of my child’s behavior affects the safety of the event, the organizers and chaperones reserve the right to return my child home.