ENCOUNTER DAY THEMES 2010-2011

Below we have listed summaries of the themes that NET offers on Encounter Days (E-Days)

Who Are You

(Recommended for grades 7-8)

Dealing with issues of self-worth, personal confidence, and acceptance is common among junior and senior high students. The “Who Are You?” E-Day theme helps young people come to a greater awareness of their goodness and uniqueness as God’s sons and daughters.

Initiation Complete

(Confirmation)

Confirmation is not graduation from the church. Students will discover how this personal Pentecost can increase their capacity to have a relationship with the Lord.  This theme will challenge candidates for Confirmation to embrace their mission in the Church and become personal witnesses for Christ.

Jesus Who?!

(Recommended for grades 9-12)

Who is Jesus in today's society and what does He have to offer?  What do we fill our schedules with on a daily basis?  Why not make time for Jesus?  Having a relationship with Jesus offers you love, hope and freedom.  Find out how to apply this to your everyday life and fit Jesus into your busy schedule.

Camouflaged

(Recommended for grades 9-12)

Dealing with issues of identity, this theme is targeted towards those who feel as though they lead doubles lives: they act a certain way when they are at church and another way when they are at school or with other friends. During this encounter day, the teens will learn about how and why we rationalize our behaviors and challenged to live lives of truth.

Homecoming

(Recommended for grades 11-12)

Today when any religion seems to be the “right one”, why choose to be Catholic? Students will discover the unique treasures of Catholicism implemented by Christ himself. Jesus invites us to encounter him through his church, where He unites us as one and brings our life with him ALIVE!

Overnight E-Day - Real Love

(Grades 9-12 only)

There is a deep longing in every person’s heart for love. Throughout our lives we are searching for experiences to fill this deep longing. Very often we are unaware of what it is that we want out of life or what it is we are searching for. There are many definitions of love. Magazines, television, music, pop culture all say that love is a feeling or that love=sex or that the way to find love is through the right kind of self-image.

The overnight and weekend Encounter Days provide youth with a more intense E-Day experience by taking them out of their regular environment and helping them to think seriously about their relationship with God.  They will hear powerful talks that will present them with the message of Jesus Christ and how to live as a Christian.  These talks will include teachings on how to pray, why the sacraments are important, the necessity of Christian friends, getting involved in serving the community, and making a daily decision to follow Jesus.  In addition, weekend and overnight E-Days provide young people with more individual time with other participants and with the team.

The host parish is responsible for arranging for the meals and lodging needed for these Encounter Days.  If beds are not available, have the participants bring sleeping bags to sleep on the floor or consider having the participants return home for the night.  The host parish will also need to contact a priest to be available for the weekend Liturgy.

High School Overnight/2 Day E-Day

Involves different themes spread throughout the E-Day (Jesus who?, Camouflaged, Homecoming, and Men’s & Women’s Session)
For more information please contact Jocelyne Potvin at the office 1877 521 4426.

Family

This Encounter Day is designed for parents and their children. The family E-Day incorporates presentations on themes applicable to family life. There is one main presentation given to the families collectively after which the parents and youth go into separate small groups. The team members share their experiences of family life and how their relationship with the Lord has impacted their family. There is also time set aside for families to meet together for discussion and prayer.

Please note: It is important to have parents attend this E-Day with their children.

Young Adult (ages 18-30)

Self Discovery: Our Journey towards Christ

As adults, our spiritual growth is no less important than when we were younger. Taking an interesting spin on the classic film “The Wizard of Oz”, we will explore the journey of self-knowledge and how learning more about ourselves leads us closer to the freedom of Christ.

C.E.O (Catholics Empowering Others)

“Leadership cannot be taught, it can only be learned.” Who do we learn from?  Why not learn from the ultimate leader.....Jesus Christ!  During this Encounter Day, students will hear about the lives of successful Catholics and how it is possible to lead by His example in an age where morals have taken a back seat to comfort.  Students will be challenged to see how God has gifted them as a leader as well as their peers.

Discernment-Discovering God's plan for you!

Sometimes it can be frustrating figuring out what God is calling you to. We don’t always know if what we want is actually what God wants. It can be helpful to have practical and tangible ways to discern God’s will. In this talk you will discover ways to seek God’s will for you in your life.