January 25, 2015

Dear Confirmation I Candidates and Parents:

As part of our Confirmation Formation Program, Confirmation I Candidates are invited into a period of spiritual renewal.

This year Confirmation I candidates are invited to participate in our Emmaus Confirmation Retreat which will be held on

Saturday February 28th, 2015 at St. Joseph the Worker and Camp Ihduhapi in Loretto, Mn. As you will recall from our

October Confirmation Orientation, all confirmation candidates have committed to accruing at least 6 “Retreat Points”

during their two-year sacramental formation. The Emmaus Confirmation Retreat is a one-day, “3 Point Retreat”

sponsored and staffed by St Joseph the Worker and is only offered to Confirmation I Candidates. Although our

Confirmation formation allows candidates to choose from more than 50 retreat options, attending the Emmaus Retreat is

strongly recommended (not only by our staff, but by our students as well – just ask).

Attendees will need to check in at St. Joe’s no later than 8:45 A.M. Saturday February 28th. The retreat begins at 9:00

A.M. sharp. Students will be transported by bus to Camp Ihduhapi and will return to St. Joe’s at approximately 9:30 P.M.

Saturday night. Candidates will have the option to be outside for a portion of the day so please dress for the weather.

Also keep in mind that we will have Mass as part of our experience; so attire should be appropriate for that as well (and

yes, this Mass applies to their Sunday obligation). Also, Please Note: We have packed a lot of faith sharing, prayer and

fun, into this one-day retreat; candidates wishing to attend must be able to stay for the entire experience.

We are excited to announce that the registration for this year’s retreat will be conducted online through the St. Joseph the

Worker website (SJTW.net >Confirmation >Emmaus Retreat). The ONLINE registration must be completed by

Sunday, February 22nd. The retreat fee of $60.00 can be processed online with a credit card. If you prefer to pay with

cash or check, please deliver payment to the Faith Formation or Main Office.

We do all that we can to keep costs low, and ask each attendee to by bringing a snack to share (Boys: bring

cookies/sweet snacks; Girls: bring chips/salty snacks). Instructions on what to bring to this retreat are also enclosed

(reverse side).

Our retreat team is looking forward to sharing this experience of growth, faith, and discovery with your teen as we

explore God’s grace and how to participate in the Reign of God. As always, your support as parents is essential to

meaningful all of our youth ministry programs, please pray for the retreat staff and all of our teens. We also ask you

to please consider helping us with some logistical/management tasks as a part of this retreat. The online form will

give you a brief description of needs that we have, but feel free to contact me for this or any other questions you

have (bshay@sjtw.net Cell #: 612-770-0172).

See you at the retreat!

Barry Shay

Senior High Formation/Confirmation Coordinator/Youth Minister

St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church

ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER

CATHOLIC CHURCH

7180 Hemlock Lane North

Maple Grove, Minnesota 55369-5597

Emmaus Confirmation Retreat February 28, 2015

Information and Instructions

Please keep these instructions for the week of the retreat.

Students must be at St. Joe’s by 8:45 am on Saturday, February 28th.

Pick-up time on Saturday night is approximately 9:30 pm.

We will be at Camp Ihduhapi: 3425 Ihduhapi Road, Loretto, MN. 763-479-1146. In case of an emergency,

driving instructions are printed below.

Youth will have the option to be outside for an hour or so on Saturday afternoon (spring weather can be

unpredictable) so dress accordingly.

Life Teen small group leaders will also be present to lead and facilitate much of this retreat.

We will have Mass.

Remember that a retreat is a time of rest and contemplation in a secluded place and away from our

accustomed surroundings. A period of time away from normal activities, devoted to prayer and mediation,

with a faith community. What to bring:

Any prescription medications that are needed. Please give these to Barry Shay. Over the counter

medications such as Tylenol or Advil also need to be handed as mandated by the Archdiocese.

Dress in layers. Please be practical, not necessarily fashionable, in your attire.

A Snack to Share: Boys: bring cookies/sweet snacks. Girls: bring chips/salty snacks.

A positive attitude

What NOT to bring:

Ipods, MP3 players or other such electronic gear that might get stolen, lost or damaged.

Cell phones are not needed by the teens; calls can be made on a chaperone’s phone if necessary.

Personal calls and text messaging can be very disruptive and counter productive.

If the staff observes the use of any Electronic Device it will be confiscated.

Rings, bracelets or any item of substantial or sentimental value.

Drugs*, alcohol*, weapons * or tobacco products*

YMCA and St. Joseph The Worker are not responsible for lost or stolen items. *These items will be confiscated and proper authorities and parents will be notified immediately. Other items

maybe confiscated and held for the remainder of the retreat.

Emergency Contact: Barry Shay 612-770-0172

Driving Instructions to Camp Ihduhapi (3425 Ihduhapi Road, Loretto, MN 55357)

Take Hemlock Lane South from SJTW. Continue heading south as Hemlock becomes

Northwest Blvd. Turn Right on Co Rd 47 (west), go 4 miles. Turn Left on Co Rd 101 (south),

go 1.5 miles. Turn Right on HWY 55 (west), go 5.6 miles. Turn Left on Co Rd 19, go through

Loretto. Turn Right on Co Rd 11, go .7 miles. Camp entrance is on the left, go .7 miles in to

the camp area.

2015 Emmaus Confirmation Retreat Permission Form

St. Joseph the Worker 7180 Hemlock Ln. N.

Maple Grove, MN 55369

PARENTAL/GUARDIAN CONSENT FORM AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

Participant’s Name: __________________________________________________ Male _____ Female _____

Parent/Guardian’s Name: _____________________________________________________________________

Telephone: (H/C) _______________________________________ Email: ______________________________

Type/Date of event: Emmaus Confirmation I Retreat / February 28th, 2015

Individual(s) in charge: Barry Shay, Small Group Leaders, Adult Chaperones

Transportation: Bus

Cost of event: $60

Deadline: February 22, 2015

I, _________________________________________, grant permission for ________________________________________

Parent or guardian’s name Participant’s name

to participate in the above named activity and I warrant that my child is in good health. In consideration of my child’s participation, I agree to

indemnify the parish-school and the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis from any claims or law suits brought against the parish/school/Archdiocese

of St. Paul/Minneapolis by myself, my child or others, that arises out of any behavior by my child at the event/activity described above. I also agree

to pay reasonable attorney’s fees or expenses incurred by the parish/school and Archdiocese in defense of such a claim/law suit.

I also hereby waive and release the named church and the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis from all claims and liability arising from any acts or

omissions by the church, Archdiocese or their agents with regard to any injuries or damages incurred by my child during the ordinary course of the

event/activity. This release and waiver shall not apply to claims that may arise from intentional acts.

Should photos or video be taken, I give my permission for the use of the image and/or likeness of my child in any promotional or other marketing

activities relating to the event/activity or our parish Youth Ministry without compensation to me or my child.

*If you do not want your child’s image and/or likeness to be used to promote parish youth ministry events, contact the above stated individual in

charge to receive a version of this form that does not include the previous clause; however, some events/ activities may require this clause.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT: In the event of any emergency, I give permission to transport my child to a hospital for

emergency medical treatment. I wish to be advised prior to any further treatment by a doctor or hospital.

In the event of an emergency, if you are unable to reach me at the above numbers, contact:

_______________________________________________ ______________________________. (Name) Phone No.

MEDICAL INFORMATION: Medication my child is taking at present: ________________________________________________________

Allergies: _________________________________________________________________________________

Family Health Plan carrier number: _____________________________________________________________

Family Doctor: ________________________________________ Phone Number: _______________________

Dietary Restrictions/Requirements _____________________________________________________________

As a parent or guardian, I agree to all of the above stated considerations and conditions.

Signature: ___________________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Adult Chaperones are needed to help with set up logistics, snacks, etc. Please indicate your interest below.

Morning Registration (at St. Joe) _____ Off-Site Chaperone (Set up/Snacks, etc. 8:30 am – 9:30 pm): _____

CODE OF CONDUCT

The following are a few rules that all participants are expected to follow while participating and representing

St. Joseph the Worker Name of Parish/School

In this event sponsored by St. Joseph the Worker Name of Parish/School

On Saturday, February 28th, 2015 Date of Event

Please read and sign.

I, _______________________________________________________, WILL:

Printed Name of Youth Participant

Treat all other persons with respect and not cause any intentional harm (physically, emotionally, or spiritually) to any person in any way.

Respect the property of others, including all program facilities and property. Follow all appropriate instructions of all personnel aiding in this event, including, but not limited

to, chaperones, support staff, transportation personnel and administration. Be on time for all check-ins and departure time. Not have in my possession any tobacco, alcohol or any controlled illegal substance

I agree that if any of these terms are violated, the Parish can send the participant home at the participant/guardian’s expense.

__________________________________________________ ____________________________________ Youth Participant Signature Date

__________________________________________________ ____________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature Date

Please return to: St. Joseph the Worker Faith Formation Office

No later than: Sunday February 22, 2015

Emmaus Retreat

Personal Electronics Policy

Parents, we need your help to make this the best experience for your teen and for all of the participants.

Please help us to make this retreat a positive, healthy experience. To implement this policy effectively, we need your cooperation.

During this retreat we are striving to build a community and a unique experience for each teen. We realize

that this is difficult for today’s young people to give up the use of their cell phones, IPods, and/or MP3

players, and other Personal Electronic Devices, but everyone’s undivided attention will help to create an atmosphere of community and friendship among the participants. Part of the retreat experience involves

stepping out of your normal, everyday life and listening to the (often) subtle promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, participants will not be allowed to use by the above-mentioned

electronics during the retreat.

The youth minister and chaperones will have phones for emergency proposes.

If a student disregards this policy and is observed using a cell phone/mobile device, etc. at any time during the

retreat, the staff will confiscate the device.

Blatant disregard for this policy is in violation of the SJTW Code of Conduct and, the SJTW Personal

Electronics Policy, and may result in the offender being asked to leave.

Of course, if there is an emergency, you may contact Barry Shay at 612-770-0172.

I have read and understand the SJTW policy on electronics

Parent/Guardian ________________________ Date _____________

Participant ____________________________ Date _____________