Journey 2009 - November 6-8

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can attend?

Journey is designed for Catholic teenagers, but we welcome our brothers and sisters of all Christian faiths. The age limits for participants are age 14 to age 18 and in high school. Young adults (ages 19-24) are welcome to attend.

We ask all participants under 18 to register through their parish Youth Minister. If that option is not available, please contact Father Robert Vaillancourt at 207-773-6471, ext. 7805.

Young adults (ages 19 to 24) are invited to attend as participants or volunteers. If they come as volunteers, they give an agreed upon amount of work in exchange for meals and accomodations.

What can I expect at the retreat?

Imagine hundreds of youth gathered together, celebrating, sharing, encouraging, discovering, and growing in a deep and real spirituality. That's what you'll find at Journey. If you can envision soul-reaching meditations, tender moments between friends, building new relationships, lively music, sleeping bags in classrooms, resting back to back on the gym floor, lots of food and drink, and real-life talks that meet you where you are today. That's Journey!

For those who have expereinced a Journey weekend, that description only scratches the surface of what happens in three short days. They know how this religious retreat recharges the soul and they return year after year. For first-timers, devoting an entire weekend to Christ would seem hard to do until you find out just how powerful and awesome His presence can be to an open and loving heart. Serious stuff? Definitely! Somber and church-y? Hardly. Jesus Himself was full of joy, love and life. At Journey, we get a small taste of that happiness. The kind that lasts.

You will come away from Journey not just knowing new people but knowing more about yourself, your faith, and your Church. (Click here to view photos and read comments).

How much does it cost?

The cost for Journey is $55 per participant if you register by October 23 and $75 per participant if you register after that. The cost includes program materials, pilgrimage-style housing, all meals, snacks, and beverages. Journey T-shirts are available at the retreat for about $10.

What should I bring with me?

We suggest the following:

• Sleeping bag and pillow
• Toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, tissues, comb/brush, etc.
• A flashlight
• A Rosary
• Casual, modest clothing
• A piece of fresh fruit for the fruit salad
• And a relaxed, open attitude

Who is giving the talks?

Some of the talks are given by our own diocesan priests or deacons and some are given by religious priests, brothers or sisters.