Search for Christian Maturity
SEARCH for Christian Maturity is a retreat program that tries to help high school juniors and seniors see how they can be faith leaders in their schools and parishes. This is done by having the participants come to know God, themselves, and others in a more loving, personal way.
SEARCH is not a means purposely set up to correct one’s character, morals, emotions or troubled school or family life. It is a method of providing people with a way of encountering themselves, others and God in a way which is unique and powerful. SEARCH helps people to see the need to bring their spiritual life into more conscious contact with their day-to-day living.
The essential component of SEARCH is its youth-to-youth approach, referred to as peer ministry. This component cannot be stressed enough; other programs can be valuable, but no one can talk with and relate to another better than a peer.
So, SEARCH is basically a weekend experience in Christian living. It is designed to help people see their value as human beings and members of a loving community. This happens as the team and the Searchers share their thoughts, feelings and ideas. Participants are then challenged to take their growth and ideas back to their families, schools and parish communities.
Central Elements
There are six elements that we hope each SEARCH weekend will highlight and that each participant will take away from the retreat. These central elements are:
- Trust,
- Sharing,
- Community,
- Prayer,
- Growth,
- Fun
Time Frame for the Weekend
SEARCH aim is to help Catholic high school juniors and seniors take a fresh look at their own faith journey, reflecting on their place within their families, schools, parishes and community as a disciple of Christ. This is accomplished through activities and experiences that lead participants to a renewed understanding of Christ at work in their lives.
SEARCH is facilitated by teens for teens with the guidance of adult SEARCH Coordinators. The main focus of the retreat is three fold:
1) Motivating the youth to seek a personal relationship with Christ.
2) Getting young people involved with their respective parishes.
3) Promoting leadership.
Chattanooga Deanery Searches
Search 134 – September 16-18, 2011
Search 135 – November 4-5, 2011
Search 136 – February 3-5, 2012
Search 137 – March 30-April 1, 2012
WHERE? All Saints Academy, Chattanooga
COST? $55
CONTACT? Donna Jones at djones6029@gmail.com
or (423) 718-4387
Cumberland/Smoky Deanery Searches
# 92 March 9, 2012, 7:00 pm – March 11, 5:00 pm
WHERE? Knoxville Catholic High School
COST? $55
CONTACT? Deacon Dan Hosford at djh2@comcast.net
or (865) 603-9682
Five Rivers Deanery Searches
# 42 February 24 to 26, 2012
WHERE? St. Dominic Church, Kingsport
COST? $65
CONTACT? Deacon Jim Fage at djim5rivers@charter.net
or (423) 748-2836
