Summer Retreat Trips Announced!

Good evening Holy Family Youth, Youth volunteers, and parents,

We've received lots of inquiries about our Church of the Holy Family summer trip for youth and we wanted to give you updates on our plans.  After learning about which events were available, the adult volunteers decided on two separate trips which will take place on the same weekend in July.

Steubenville East:  Michael and Lisa Ciarrocchi will coordinate the trip to Steubenville East from July 31st to August 2nd.  This trip is open to all high school students including those entering high school in the fall '09 or who have just graduated high school.  For the first time, the conference will be held at the University of Rhode Island.  We'll say good-bye to the circus tents this year, and be staying in URI dorm rooms with conference sessions on campus.  The cost of the trip is $210 per person plus travel expenses, but we will do some fund raising to help defer those costs.  If you think cost of the trip would prevent you from going, please let us know and we'll seek financial a.ssistance.

Steubenville East is an amazing Catholic Teen weekend retreat featuring lots of talks, music, Mass, Adoration and small group time with over 2,000 youth.  You can get more info from the website by visiting www.steubenvilleeast.org.  Or feel free to email me at ciarrocchim@sbcglobal.net.   

Soulfest:  Ed Bernier will coordinate the trip to Soulfest from  July 29-August 1^st at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Guilford, NH.  This trip is open only to college aged students who have attended at least one Steubenville or other extended trip with the Church.  Soufest celebrates  the love of God and love for neighbor through an annual festival of Music, Love and Action.  It is a 4-day Christian Music Festival featuring 5 stages and over 100 Christian artists and speakers.  This year will include Casting Crowns, Third Day, Newboys, Skillet and many more .  The cost of the trip is $120 plus travel and camping expenses.   Those details will be determined depending on how many sign up.

You can learn more about Soulfest by visiting their website at www.thesoulfest.com.  Or, feel free to email Ed at ebernier@netezza.com.  He can also fill you in on details about the camping experience while at the festival.

Timing:  Unfortunately, our timing is very tight.  We need a good idea of who will be going so we can begin to reserve tickets.  There is a chance we won’t be able to reserve enough spots if we don’t reserve soon.  A $40 non-refundable deposit will be required for Steubenville and the $120 ticket cost of Soulfest will be required within the next few weeks.  Please email Ed and me with any questions you may have, and to let us know if you’d like to join.

Please try to let us know as soon as possible!  Either trip is sure to be an AMAZING weekend.  Please feel free to pass on to your friends--especially those who went on Confirmation retreat last weekend.