Summer Opportunities 2025!
Dear friends in Christ,
With the warmer weather this past week, some of us might have begun dreaming of summer. Here at the Co-Cathedral, we are busy planning for several different opportunities to grow in faith and relationship with God and one another this summer!
Registration for Vacation Bible School is now open to parishioners of the Co-Cathedral and our partner parish, St. Pius X. The dates for VBS are June 23-27, from 9:15am-11:40am each day of the week. We have a great team of staff and volunteers that make it possible for us to offer music, hands-on activities, games, Bible stories, and more to children ages 3 through 12th Grade. Registration will close June 8 or as groups reach capacity, so please register now at sj.org/vbsregister. Our theme this year, True North: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World, guides kids on the ultimate Alaskan adventure where northern lights glow, rivers race, and glaciers glisten. As kids trek the tundra, they’ll explore how easy it is to lose sight of what’s true in our wild world today. VBS will point kids to Jesus, a faithful friend we can always trust. He’s our True North.
We are excited to be bringing youth to the Steubenville Youth Conference again this summer which takes place July 11-13 at the Mayo Civic Center. Steubenville is three days of amazing speakers, opportunities for worship, adoration, and confession, all while enjoying fellowship with hundreds of other teens who share the same Catholic faith. Youth currently in 8-12th grade are invited and encouraged to attend. We are also looking for both male and female adult chaperones to help lead our group of teens! Contact Megan (mrodriguez@sj.org) to sign up or to learn more.
A highlight of summer for many of our youth is the Diocese of Winona-Rochester's Camp Summit! The camp is July 28-31 and is for youth currently in grades 5-7. Campers will have an opportunity to deepen their faith, try new things, and meet new friends! This summer’s theme is Abide in Hope. Current 8-11th graders can apply to be a part of Camp Summit’s great leadership opportunities. Megan Rodriguez will be one of our group leaders and is excited for her oldest to be able to attend for the first time this summer and hopes you’ll consider sending your middle schooler too! We do have limited spots available so please contact Megan to sign up or get more information asap.
Sebastian and Laura have plans to continue meeting with youth ages 10-14 this summer to grow in our understanding of the Religious Sense. What are the deepest longings of the human heart? How can we discover the total meaning of reality? We will explore these ultimate questions through games, swimming, hiking, and sharing life together on various dates throughout the summer. Contact Laura (lmiller@sj.org) to be notified when the dates are scheduled.
Finally, there is an opportunity for the whole family to live reality more fully at the Family Summer Vacation sponsored by Communion and Liberation. Families from all around the upper Midwest will gather at a retreat center near Osceola, Wisconsin from July 18-22 for goofy, competitive games for all ages; prayer and daily Mass; singing and s’mores around the bonfire; hiking and swimming; good food and wonderful companionship focused on the theme of charity, “We came to know love,” (1 John 3:16). Childcare and safe activities for children are offered during the presentations; kids always have a great time and become friends. The same happens to us adults through sharing life together! If you are interested or want to find out more, please contact Sebastian (smodarelli@sj.org).
Peace to all of you!