Middle school students will have two opportunities for dynamic faith formation in March.
“Rise Up – Twin Cities”
On Saturday, March 23, Partnership for Youth is sponsoring a one-day conference challenging youth to “rise up” and radically live their faith; the group hopes for 900 students to attend.
The first annual “Rise Up – Twin Cities” conference will take place at the Radisson Blu Mall of American from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include speakers, praise and worship, adoration, reconciliation and fun activities. Cost is $60 and include lunch. Registration is limited – visit partnershipforyouth.org/rise-up.
Partnership for Youth Marketing Coordinator Annie Colling said, “In the last couple of years, we have felt the Holy Spirit call us to expand our service of middle school youth, as most of our events have previously been targeted at high school youth.”
Citing a 2017 study “Going, Going, Gone: The Dynamics of Disaffiliation in Young Catholics,” conducted by St. Mary’s Press of Minnesota in collaboration with the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, Colling said 13 was found to be the average age of Catholics leaving the faith.
“We want to make sure we are reaching youth at and before that age to awaken and strengthen them in their relationship with Christ,” she said.
Theology of the Body Retreat
On Saturday, March 30, a Theology of the Body inspired retreat will be offered at the YMCA Camp in Amery. For seventh and eighth graders, the retreat format is designed to help youth encounter Christ and build up their Catholic community. There will be large and small group activities as well as gender-specific breakouts. Cost is $15. Contact Kendra Mitchell for more information and to register at or 715-246-4652, ext. 247
