What is Quest?

Quest is the mandatory 9^th grade retreat for the Faith Formation/Confirmation program. It is a 2-day retreat that happens here at St. Vincent de Paul. The organizers of the retreat are the Youth Ministers John Boyle and Jonathan Schwartzbauer who work with the small group leaders of the 9th grade confirmation class. 
 
The retreat will consist of games, talks, small group activities and discussions, funny skits, powerful skits, testimonies from high schoolers, and Adoration on Friday night. On Saturday, it is more of the same with a different focus, and we will have Reconciliation. The retreat will end with the 5pm Mass on Saturday. This is not a boring retreat. We are constantly doing something and we mix in fun and games along with spiritual talks, skits, and Sacraments.
 
Quest is not a Confirmation retreat. A Confirmation retreat focuses on the Sacrament and prepares them to receive that Sacrament. In 10th grade the will attend a weekend Confirmation retreat.
 

So, why are we doing Quest?

The Christian faith is about a relationship with a Person and that person is Jesus Christ. To know more about Jesus, first, you must have at least a desire for a relationship.
 
In the very beginning of the Catechism, it says this about catechesis: “Catechesis is built on a certain number of elements of the Church’s pastoral mission which have a catechetical aspect, that prepare for catechesis, or spring from it. They are: the initial proclamation of the Gospel or missionary preaching to arouse the faith; examination of the reasons for belief; experience of Christian living; celebration of the sacraments; integration into the ecclesial community; and apostolic and missionary witness.” (CCC, 6)
 
What does this mean? This means that catechesis needs a foundation to build upon. If there is no foundation, it will be like the house built on sand that Jesus talks about in Matthew. That foundation starts with the initial proclamation of the Gospel, then thinking about if it is worth believing in, then living what you believe, receiving the sacraments, growing a community of believers, and being a witness of this faith. ALL of this is the foundation for catechesis.
 
Breaking it down even further: a relationship with Christ and an encounter with Him is necessary for catechesis.

When is Quest?

Questions?