The retreat was both a celebration and deepening of faith for all present. Young people travelled from as far as Holland, Ireland, Spain and even Leeds and the Holy Ghost School was bursting at the seams! There were times of fun with a massive pass the parcel... Joyful singing and dancing during open mic sessions. We were moved and inspired by the speakers and MC's, including a beautiful talk from a young married couple Will and Maria, who spoke so naturally about growing up, their faith, getting married and now expecting their first child. God's presence was tangible as they spoke to us. The reconciliation and healing services were powerful as many queued for confession and knelt reverently and expectantly in the healing service to touch the humeral veil and to ask Jesus for healing. There was a deep sense of community and friendship as we adored and received the Eucharist together.

It's hard to capture the retreat in a few words. Put simply, "we encountered Jesus".

Comments

Here's a few comments shared on Facebook and emails:

Dominic: "I have become totally besotted, head over heels in love with the Church, and I know this is due to the constant loyalty Y2K (Youth 2000) have to the sacraments. It has been so instrumental for me in the past few years."

Lorraine: "I had an AMAZING few days in Balham :) It was an AWESOME retreat. Thanks Youth 2000 :)"

Sophie: "Thank you for such an amazing new year!!! This was my first youth 2000 retreat and I'm so glad I came, I'll definitely be coming to others :) x"

Marijke (from Holland): "You know you've been to Youth 2000 when you're back in your home parish and wonder why mass starts in Dutch! And you miss - all the priests that you became so familiar with, the beautiful songs, seeing a church full of young people, the adoration and worship after mass. But still you know... that Jesus whom you just have received is the same!! And you can't help but have a big grin on your face realising just how AWESOME He is!"

Rebecca: "Hiya :) thankyou so much for this retreat - it was absolutely fantastic!"

Maria: "Enjoyed Balham so much! The one thing that I've really taken from the retreat is to trust God in everything, even when things are bad and to carry on having faith in Him that He will make everything good, in His time :-)

'Something which has existed from the beginning,
which we have heard,
which we have seen with our own eyes,
which we have watched and touched with our own hands -
the Word of Life.
That life was made visible;
we saw it and are giving our testimony'. (1 John 1-2)

May you be reminded of God's presence & goodness through the sharing of our testimony. Jesus is very much alive in our world through His Church. In Youth 2000 we are privileged to know so many faith filled young people with deep and real faith.

THANK YOU - We extend a huge thank you to all our speakers, MC's, Music Ministry, Workshop Leaders, Programme Helpers, Caterers, Registration Team, Small Group Leaders and especially our wonderful priests who give so generously of themselves to enable us to hear, see and touch Jesus - the Word of Life.

2012 events

If you missed the New Year retreat, or you came and enjoyed it so much that you are ready for the next , then check out Love@Leeds 10-12 Feb and get Searchlight@Walsingham in your diary: 23rd – 27th August 2012