What Youth Are Saying
"The music ministry [of a NET Parish team] is an added bonus. In the past I have never sung at Mass, but now I cannot help but sing."
- High School Student
"The retreat really did change the way I looked at things. Right after the retreat, I went on a sports trip. I made different choices than I would have before and I had a really great trip. I don’t think I would have if I hadn’t gone on the retreat. Thank you so much."
-15 yrs. old, YT, Retreatant
"I learned that friends come and go, but Jesus will always be with you. Jesus will always forgive you no matter what you do. I feel that the retreat touched me. The team members were all so very nice to me. I was worried and afraid of a lot but now I am looking at the positive perspective. I love Jesus and I think that I will think about what I am doing and what I say to people. Thank you, all. "
-12 yrs. old, AB, Retreatant
"I think that the NET team made each of us feel comfortable and more open to express our thoughts and feelings. I got out of the retreat a better, more solid relationship with the Lord Almighty. I felt that in the church I actually felt God’s presence and warmth. The team made me feel assured and more secure about my faith and that God is indeed our Saviour."
-13 yrs. old, AB, Retreatant
"I really enjoyed the retreat we had. It was fun watching the plays, singing the songs, and praying. GOD LOVES WHAT YOU'RE DOING! Don't give up what you're doing. You're bringing us closer to Christ. You certainly brought God more in my life. I will pray for each and every one of you!"
-15 yrs. old, ON, Retreatant
"As a graduating student, Life Teen has affected me in so many ways. The lessons and morals that I have been exposed to have helped me to be a more influential and positive leader and role model. Fellowship helps Teens grow as a faith community, growing in understanding of what it means to be young and Catholic in the world today. It has been an honour to be in the presence of such wonderfully gifted Youth Ministers [NET Parish team members] and I would recommend that every Parish had a Life Teen Program."
- High School Student
"This retreat not only touched me and made me feel closer to God, it also made me feel closer to other youth in my parish. I was able to fully and unabashedly tell my (small) group my feelings about my faith. One of the talks was about opening the door on your heart to God and I truly believe that this retreat has oiled the hinges on the door in my heart."
- Retreatant
"I had lost complete touch with God and going on this retreat seemed completely useless. But something in my heart told me to come and I’m so happy I did! God has re-entered my life and my heart is full. Thank you!"
- Retreatant
"I found something here tonight that I thought was lost forever. The dramas, the prayer, the (discussion) groups — they all gave me back something priceless. They gave me back my faith. For that, "thank you" could never be enough, but it is all I have to give."
- Retreatant
"Sept.11 — that day changed my life. Since then, I’ve felt an emptiness inside of me that I didn’t think would ever fill. But when I went on retreat I realized I had forgotten that the most important person in my life had been there the entire time. I no longer feel alone because that emptiness, that hole in my heart, is now filled with God’s love."
-14 yrs. old, AB, Retreatant
"Going to a NET retreat is a fun, interesting, and exciting way to become closer to God. For me, the NET retreat took what I already knew about God and made sense of it."
-14 yrs. old, ON, Retreatant
"A few weeks before the retreat my dad had left and my family was really upset. I was mad at him and never wanted to see him again. NET helped me to ask God for the strength I would need to forgive him. They really helped me realize what it means to be close to God. It’s not just following the 10 commandments. It’s more than that. It’s becoming friends with God and getting to know Him."
-13 yrs. old, ON, Retreatant
"The retreat showed me that my faith wasn’t something to hide away. It gave me courage to put God first. Thank you so much."
-15 yrs. old, SK, Retreatant
"Before this retreat I doubted my belief in God. Thanks to NET, I now know for sure God is there and that He loves me. I thank you so much."
-16 yrs. old, PQ, Retreatant
"After the retreat I really put thought into what the team said. So now I take 5-10 minutes out of the day and I pray to God to help me with my day. It really helps."
-14 yrs. old, BC, Retreatant
"During the prayer time on the retreat I realized that I have slipped away from God. I hadn’t been to church for a while and I only pray when it is convenient for me. Since the retreat I have cut down on my swearing and have realized that I have to start praying more."
-17 yrs. old, ON, Retreatant
"I loved the retreat. It really inspired me. I feel closer to God and now I’m going to church more like every Sunday! I’m praying more and getting involved in church more. I’m even thinking about becoming an altar server."
-13 yrs. old, ON, Retreatant
"What I really liked about the NET retreat is that it informed me about God in a way I can understand. In the church, when we were praying, it felt like God was right there beside me, watching over me. Since the retreat, I started going to church again and I enjoy it."
-15 yrs. old, AB, Retreatant
"My mother and I were having some trouble and I started to think we would never work things out. During the prayer time on the retreat, Jesus helped me realize my mother loved me and she would never turn away from me. That night I went home and told my mom I loved her. We became very close. Thank you, NET, and thank you, Jesus."
-12 yrs. old, AB, Retreatant
"You made me realize what being Catholic means and how important it is to have God in your life. Thank you. You made a difference."
-15 yrs. old, NS, Retreatant
"I entered the church with a frown, but left with a grin."
-15 yrs. old, AB, Retreatant