The Pine Ridge Reservation

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1 SPACES STILL AVAILABLE Open to students entering 9th grade through those exiting 12th grades who are interested in participating in this summer s mission trip to; The Pine Ridge Reservation South Dakota June, 23-30, CONTACT AMY BURNS (YOUTH MINISTER)TO SET UP A TIME TO MEET SOON! Amy Burns- Youth Minister: Ext 107 (office) (cell) ABurns@stbparish.com Although it is preferred that parent (s)and teen (s)attend meeting together, if this is not possible than either a parent (s)or a teen (s)should still attend a meeting on their own. On the open prairies of the northern Plains lies the Pine Ridge Reservation, the present-day home to the Oglala band of Lakota Sioux. The Lakota, although a resilient people group, encountered many historical difficulties and trauma since their land was inhabited by white settlers. Due to many historical factors, including the Wounded Knee Massacre, the wholesale slaughter of the bison, and the violation of the Treaty of Fort Laramie by the United States' government, the Lakota people are, to this day, dealing with the aftermath of these events. It has been said that these factors are the cause of pervasive generational poverty, loss of language, culture and forced assimilation into mainstream culture. These things have potentially led to other problems such as insecure or inadequate housing, hunger, substance abuse, and mental health issues. Due to the remote location of the Pine Ridge Reservation and lack of environmental resources, there is lack of local infrastructure and economic opportunities for the Lakota people. YouthWorks exists in Wanblee to serve alongside the community to assist wherever is needed and to learn about the local culture and history. The primary avenue of service is to assist Crazy Horse School and the local non-profit Families Working Together in furthering their missions within the community. This takes the form of kids club and work projects. However, as wounds from the past are still present in many ways, the primary reason we are in Wanblee is to listen and to learn from the community. Although we are not able to fully make amends for past wrongs, it is important to recognize and understand the impact of hearing someone else s story and to be immersed in the Lakota culture- even for a short amount of time. A strong relationship with Crazy Horse School is a defining characteristic of mission trips to Pine Ridge. Site Two: Beyond being our housing site, the school invites YouthWorks to come alongside them with our Kids Club ministry and other service projects. Your group will serve through painting and simple work projects. In addition to serving, your students will see the rugged beauty of the Badlands, experience Large Group Gathering beneath a 40-foot cross in South Dakota s rolling prairie-lands, grapple with issues of poverty, take part in a community cookout and hear the history of the area. YouthWorks has partnered with this community since 1999.

2 St. Bridget High School Summer Mission Trip Open to all teens entering 9th grade through those exiting 12th grades Pine Ridge II Reservation South Dakota June 23-30, Camp Fee $ cost of Rental Vehicles $ + cost of Fuel $ + cost of Adult Leaders $ = Final cost TBD. 1) A $150 deposit must be turned in along with registration form. 2) A second payment of $150 must be earned through participating in fundraisers, or paid by you on or before May 1, ) A final payment of $200 must be earned through participating in fundraisers, or paid by you on or before June 13, Participants are responsible for their remaining balance after fundraising. * Due to the Garage Sale Fundraiser taking place after the final payment is due those who sign up to work one or more shifts of the Garage Sale will owe the final payment within one week after returning from the trip (on or before July 8, 2018). We exist to connect teenagers to God, each other and communities through Life-changing Christ-centered mission trips. -YW staff This mission trip was the most spiritual experience of my life and I hope I will always remember the lessons that I learned and the people that I met. - -former Youth participant SPACE IS LIMITED REGISTRATION MUST CLOSE WHEN SPOTS ARE FILLED. PLEASE RETURN REGISTRATION FORM WITH THE $150 DEPOSIT TO THE CHURCH OFFICE * (ATTENTION AMY BURNS) * Amy Burns- Youth Minister Middle School & High School Ext 107 (office) (cell) ABurns@stbparish.com

3 ST. BRIDGET SUMMER MISSION TRIP REGISTRATION FORM STUDENT Name: STUDENT Cell #: Grade in Fall of 2018: Date of Birth: T-Shirt Size: S M L XL 2XL (adult sizes) STUDENT address: (Please take some time to complete the questions below before turning registration form in): CAN USE BACKSIDE TOO 1) Why are you interested in going on this Mission Trip? 2) How does your faith life influence your desire to participate in a summer Mission Trip? 3) Have you been on a Mission Trip before? Y N If yes, how was it meaningful for you?: I have read and understand all that is required and expected of me, both pre and post the St. Bridget High School Summer Mission Trip of I understand and agree that a $150 deposit must be turned in along with this registration form. A second payment of $150, or remaining balance that has not been raised by participating in fundraisers, must be paid on or before May 1, A final payment of $200,or remaining balance that has not been raised by participating in fundraisers, must be paid in full on or before June 13, I acknowledge and agree that I am responsible for paying all additional funds that I have not raised through my fundraising efforts. I understand and agree that if I am unable to attend the Mission Trip, for any reason prior to the trip date, I will not receive a refund for funds already paid unless my spot is filled. And I am still responsible for completing my payment in full if my spot can not be filled prior to the trip. I acknowledge and agree to abide by the no cell phone policy and am aware that I could be sent home (at parents expense) if I am found in violation of this policy (*Youth Minister and adult leaders will determine if violation has been made). Student Signature: Date: Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: MY DEPOSIT IS ATTACHED (Please make checks payable to St. Bridget Church) THE DEPOSIT IS A HARDSHIP FOR MY FAMILY (Amy will contact you to discuss options)

4 Advantages of Registering right away for St. Bridget High School Summer Mission Trip: The number of spaces are already set and paid for in full. There is a slight possibility of adding a few more spots but this can not be guaranteed. We will accept registration forms as soon as they are turned in with $150 deposit. If we receive more applicants after the number of spaces have been filled we will begin a Wait List. If we initially receive more applicants than the number of spaces we may need to use a selection process which would be influenced by: Upper Class (Senior s last chance to attend) Active participation in St Bridget Youth Events LifeLine & Youth Mass Ministries Member of T.L.C. (Teen Leadership Council) Teen Leader for Summer Stretch -and-or SuperSaturdays There is also a slight possibility of added a second Mission Trip this summer but this can not be garneted. Again, IF our submitted applications exceed our set number limit, then the above bullet points will be taken into consideration and may play a role in our decision making process. This is in no way meant to discourage you from signing up. We strongly encourage any teen, with the desire to serve and the willingness to commit to the process, to sign up today! Please read all of the information provided below carefully before turning in your registration form: Expectations Prior to our Mission Trip: Participation in Fundraisers (if student cannot - your parent (s) may fill in). Participation in all Trip Meetings & Mixers. A concerted effort to participate in Youth Events, Monthly Youth Masses, and LifeLine. * Obviously scheduling conflicts will occur but we hope that by providing the dates far enough in advance you will then be able to adjust your schedules accordingly. ** Upon failure to meet set expectations, we reserve the right to dismiss your registration at anytime (i.e. the number of events missed is greater than the number of events attended). If you are dismissed by St. Bridget: you will be refunded any money you may have submitted and your spot will be reopened. However, if once you re registered but you have to drop out, for any reason prior to the trip date. If we are not able to fill your spot, you will be responsible for the payment in full. Expectations Following our Mission Trip: A written reflection of your Mission Trip experience. Attendance and sharing of experience at Mission Trip Parish Masses. A concerted effort to participate in Youth Events, Monthly Youth Masses, and LifeLine. Being a disciple and witness of Christ by continuing to live out and to share your Mission Trip experiences with friends and family, even after returning to your daily lives.

5 *****SAVE THESE FUNDRSAISER DATES!!***** M&M capsules : Sat., March 3, p.m. Prep of M&M capsules Sat. & Sun., March 17 & 18, 2018 Collect capsules after all Masses Sat. & Sun., March 24 & 25, Collect capsules after all Masses Sat. & Sun., March 31 & April 01 (Easter) - Collect capsules after all Masses Garage Sale: June 15-20, Help set-up June 21-23, Work the sale June 25, Help clean-up and load Easter Seals truck Google Doc Sign up will be available in May Donut Making: Sun., May 20, Making/Boxing/Selling Donuts after morning Masses Scrip: Buy all year and allot proceeds to Youth Ministry If you re not sure which category your Scrip proceeds are currently allotted to, feel free to call the church office to double-check. * More Fundraising Opportunities T.B.A.* *****SAVE IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION DATES!!***** Parent & Student Informational Meetings: Sun., Feb, 11, :00 p.m. - and - Sun., Feb 25, 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m Or by Contacting Amy Burns Youth Minister to set up another time Meetings and Mixers: Sun. April 15, :30 p.m. Wed., April 25, :45p.m. following Faith Formation closing Mass Wed., May, 9 & 16, :30 p.m. Wed., June, 6 & 13, :30 p.m. Thurs., June 21, 2018 Packing/Pizza Party 6:00 p.m. Participation: Sat March 3, LifeLine at the Net Center leave from Church at 4:30 p.m. Sat, April 7, 2018 Sat, May 5, 2018 Fri. Sun., March Leap of Faith Retreat Chances to be a Teen Leader: (working with middle school youth) SuperSaturday (Open Gym) Sat, Feb 10, p.m.-9p.m. Sat, March 10, p.m.-9p.m. Sat, April 14, p.m.-9p.m. Sat, May 12, p.m.-9p.m. Sat, June 9, p.m.-9p.m. Summer Stretch Teen Leader Retreat Sat-Sun May, 26-27, 2018

6 2018 THEME: ONWARD We all want to be on a journey that s moving forward. No one wants to live their life just wandering around and there s a reason for that! Every day, God is moving to broaden our perspectives, ignite our passions, expose new possibilities and inspire worthy pursuits. And He hasn t just left us to figure it out on our own. Paul tells the church of Philippi that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6) Even when you don t realize it, God is working in your life to move you onward. This summer as you learn about a new place, serve the community and interact with each other, pay attention to the way God is working in, through and around you. Maybe God will change the way you see things, open new doors and spark new desires in you. So, let s not be satisfied to stay where we are with God. Let s move onward together. We (YouthWorks) seek to listen to local ministry partners as we return to the same communities year after year. It is our desire to walk side-by-side with our friends in service, helping support the work God is already doing through them. We realize every community we enter has both struggles and strengths, and we have much to learn from them. My mission trip profoundly impacted both my faith and my outlook on life. Over the course of a week, I learned lessons and had experiences that will stick with me forever. I was able to step out of my comfort zone, learn about a different culture, and witness God each day as we served others and socialized with one another. Each day that I served, I witnessed God in some way, whether it was obvious or discreet. I began to step out of my comfort zone and meet new people. After several hours, we had our first random van switch. I found myself in a van with a few students that I did not know very well. After only a few minutes, the van was filled with chatter and laughter. I began to find out that this trip was not just another ordinary activity that several friends sign up for together and stick like glue for the duration of the activity.

7 A LITTLE BACKGRIOUND ON THE MISSION WE USE: PURPOSE, VISION & VALUES OUR PURPOSE: We exist to connect teenagers to God, each other and communities through life-changing Christ-centered mission trips. OUR VISION: Providing life-changing Christ-centered mission trips is our way of serving God s multidenominational Church. We want to help empower every teenager to know God and be like Jesus in the ways they love and serve others, and our desire is the same for churches, families, staff and communities. We aim to create experiences that broaden perspectives, ignite passions, expose possibilities and inspire pursuits. OUR VALUES: As we live out our purpose and vision, we strive for these six priorities to shape the way we work and those we work alongside. These core values hinge on our aspiration to love teenagers, work alongside communities and serve God s Church: Youth: The energy and passion, vision and potential of teenagers is not just the future of the Church it is a vibrant part of the Church today. In the process of inviting students to love and be loved by Christ, we will unapologetically laugh, play, serve and engage alongside them. Recognizing the incredible value of teenagers, we see these years as both formative for the future and vital for God s work today. Communities: Our passions are wrapped up in the places we serve. Communities are our partners, our friends and our contexts for ministry. We value the privilege of entering, working alongside and learning from these places filled with heritage and history, strengths and struggles. We are continually pursuing ways to better listen to, respond to and love communities. Respectful Service: It is our honor to serve people that God calls sons and daughters. Recognizing that effective service does not always seem efficient, we strive to listen closely, speak carefully, serve humbly and participate gratefully in what God is already doing in individuals, churches and communities. In our efforts to meet the unique needs of each person and place, we desire to follow Jesus example of servant-leadership. Relationships: We prioritize people. It s why we pursue intentional interactions, restored relationships and ongoing friendships because meaningful service stems from seeking each other out. Just as Jesus ministry underscores the importance of presence, we desire that programs, projects and plans would never trump people. Rather, we will continue to create experiences that encourage authentic connections with others and with Christ. Diversity: We desire to continually deepen our understanding and appreciation for the incredible creativity of Christ s Church. As we value different styles of worship, stories of faith, stages of life, sets of resources, tones of skin and expressions of culture, we invite others to do the same. Through leaving comfort zones to listen and learn from each other, we can more deeply include, interact with and express the diverse beauty of God s Kingdom. Development: We have seen God s life-changing work in people s stories and recognize our invitation to participate. That is why we seek to grow alongside others in deepening understanding, determining direction, restoring relationships and strengthening faith. As we encounter all kinds of people, we will continue to work together, challenge comfort zones, see potential, be inspired and eagerly ask, What s next?! SUMMER STAFF We spend significant resources finding, hiring and training some of the best young adults around to run our mission sites. Beyond paying our staff for the vital role they play, we seek to develop their leadership skills for future ministry. JESUS In case you couldn t tell, we create mission trip experiences because we want to point all sorts of people to Jesus. We seek to restore relationships, love others and serve communities because Jesus set that example with us. Our deep desire is for people to understand love and service within the context of Christ.