January 22, 2002

                                                        NEWS RELEASE
                                                                                                  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                                                                  For More Information, Contact:
                                                                                                  Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
                                                                                                  bbunce@archdpdx.org

YOUTH MINISTERS GATHERED FOR REFLECTION AND RENEWAL

        Twenty-five parish youth  ministers gathered at the Silver Falls Conference Center at
Silver Falls State Park for a three-day retreat January 12 - 14th. The retreat was led by
Frank Mercadante from Cultivation Ministries in St. Charles, IL. Randy Kollars, Director,
and Michal Horace, Assistant Director, of the Archdiocesan Office of Youth and Young
Adult Ministry attended and assisted at the retreat. Among youth ministers that
attended were 12 full-time youth ministers, 8 part-time youth ministers and 5 youth
ministry volunteers.

        The retreat placed an emphasis on youth ministers keeping themselves spiritually
healthy and recalling the joys and challenges of ministering to youth. The youth
ministers discussed various ways of staying "fresh" in youth ministry as well as ways to
avoid "burn-out." A highlight of the retreat was a prayer service in which the group
prayed for each youth minister and affirmed him or her in his or her ministry.

        Michal Horace and Randy Kollars were happy with the turn out and feedback for
this Youth Ministers retreat, and indicated that it will become an annual event.

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