Search retreat for high school youth focuses on God’s saving love

Search participants, leaders, volunteers, and former "Searchers" gather for a photograph with Bishop Mark Hagemoen at the conclusion of the retreat. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

Twenty-one high school students spent Nov. 10-12 on a Search retreat in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, deepening faith, building friendships, and experiencing God’s love in the ministry of some 47 volunteers.

Candles were presented during the Search retreat closing celebration, symbolizing the light of Christ and the call to be light in the world. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Held at E.D. Feehan Catholic High School, the Search live-in retreat concluded with a celebration in which the “Searchers” were given a lighted candle and presented with a hand-made cross rich with the symbolism of their Christian journey. The ceremony was followed by celebration of Sunday Eucharist with Bishop Mark Hagemoen, who also spent time at the retreat earlier in the weekend.

Reflecting on the Sunday scriptures revolving around hope, the bishop also pointed to the Search experience as one of hope.

The Search retreat is peer-based, with “talks given by young adults for young adults,” with former Search participants among those presenting, leading, and volunteering throughout the weekend. This year, a second Search retreat will be held in the diocese of Saskatoon, running Feb. 23 to 25, 2024. Find more information at: https://saskatoonsearch.ca/

 

Gathering for the closing celebration. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

Youth leaders at the November Search prepare for the final celebration. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

Youth leaders presented candles and crosses to the new Search “graduates.” (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

Sunday Eucharist with Bishop Mark Hagemoen concluded the Search retreat. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

November 2023 Search participants and some of the leaders with Bishop Mark Hagemoen. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

Youth participate in a warm-up activity on the last day of the Search retreat. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

 

Volunteers at work during the Search retreat. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

-30-

Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca.