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October 18, 2019
Catholic Advance
www.CatholicAdvance.com Father H Setter has been leading CLAY retreats for twice as long as many of the youth who participate are old. But Christ's Light in All Youth retreats are still enlightening to him, he said. I get so much out of them. I've been doing them for sev- eral decades and it seems like I grow exponentially from them. At the end of the day, I'm exhausted. But I just think, wow, what a great experience. These kids teach me so much." Father Setter works with David Walker to plan, prepare, and conduct the CLAY retreats. Walker is the program coordi- nator for Youth & Young Adult Events for the diocesan Office of Faith Formation. Walker said CLAY is designed to get young people thinking about their relation- ship with God at a time when Fr. H Setter
CLAY retreats seek to mold youth
Youth who take part in a CLAY retreat relate the formation of a clay object to the formation of their lives. (Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash)
Christ's Light in All Youth retreats are for high school freshmen, sophomores
they are entering adulthood. We want to help them open themselves up to what God is calling them to do and who God is calling them to be. We get serious and go deep, but have a lot of fun along the way." The retreat is for freshmen and sophomore high school students and is different from Teens Encounter Christ, which is for high school juniors and seniors. Father Setter, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Aleppo and St. Anthony of Padua in Garden Plain, said the acronym CLAY is used to help form the youth during the retreat. The day-long retreat focuses on the 18th chapter of Jeremiah, he said, which refers to the potter and how God chooses to shape the people of Israel: The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord say- ing, 'Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will announce my words to you.' Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, mak- ing something on the wheel. But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make." If possible, a potter is brought in during a CLAY retreat to throw a pot, he said. Otherwise, a video of a potter at work is shown. They explain the process of how that clay is used and how it's worked by the hands of the potter to remove the impurities - air bubbles, etcetera - and how they put it on the wheel and have to balance it in order to create a ves- sel." During the retreat, the youth are given their own Playdough- type clay to make candle holders that are baked and later used to hold candles representing the light of Christ. They pray, go to Mass, have the opportunity for confession, listen to presenta- tions about topics relevant to and issues that challenge ado- lescents, and journal about their thoughts and discussions. The retreats are designed for young men and women who are moving into adulthood and who will be making more adult-like decisions, Father Setter said. We try to help them under- stand the need to wait on things because they aren't equipped yet for certain things," he said. For example, the whole idea of waiting for things that are adult things. Things that can damage them and hurt them as young people - such as getting into the use of alcohol or becoming sexually active. These are things that young people have to wait on because if they push that too soon into their lives, it could have catastrophic results." Those who participate in CLAY retreats are at a special age, Fr. Setter said. They are no longer children and are begin- ning to develop critical thinking skills and abilities to discern. It's amazing to see what unfolds in just one day," he said, "being with like-minded kids at that tender age. (The retreat) gives them an avenue and opportunity to seek holiness - religious things aren't always popular these days."
CLAY retreatants are no longer children and are beginning to de- velop critical thinking skills and abilities to discern.
Des Moines bishop ordained
Archbishop Michael O. Jackels of Dubuque, Iowa, lays his hands on Bishop William M. Joensen during his episcopal ordination and installation as the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines at St. Francis of Assisi Church Sept. 27. Abp. Jackels was the ordinary for the Diocese of Wichita from 2005 to 2013. (CNS photo/courtesy Diocese of Des Moines)
Clinic hosting Donor Caf Thursday, Nov. 7, at clinic on St. Francis
The Guadalupe Clinic will serve a light lunch to donors and to those interested in supporting the clinic from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7. The diocesan healthcare minis- try is hosting a Donor Caf at the clinic located at 940 S. St. Francis in Wichita. Reservations are requested by Oct. 24. To do so, call Andrie at 316-264-8974 ext. 204 or visit GuadalupeClinic.org.
Fr. Kapaun Guild honoring vets Nov. 11
The Father Kapaun Guild, a ministry of the Diocese of Wich- ita, will host its annual Veterans Day Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at St. John Nepo- mucene Church in Pilsen. The Mass is celebrated to honor Father Kapaun and all deceased veterans. A wreath-laying ceremo- ny will follow. Those who wish to have the name of a veteran listed in a me- morial book may visit the Father Emil Kapaun page at FrKapaun. org.
Monthly bingo Sunday, Nov. 3 in Colwich
Monthly cash bingo will be held beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, in the Keg Dance Hall, 130 Chicago Ave., because of church renovations. Doors open at 1 p.m. Games begin at 2 o'clock. The suggested donation is $3 for one card for all 21 games, or $8 for three cards for all games. Snacks and desserts will be available. Proceeds from the event will benefit the retired priests and sem- inarians of the Diocese of Wichita and other Catholic charities.
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