Diocesan Youth News

Online Confirmation Retreats
Amarillo—The deadline to register for the fourth of five Online Confirmation Retreats, being offered this year by the Diocesan Youth Office, is Friday, March 14.
The retreat is set for Friday, April 18 through Sunday, April 20.
“Keeping in mind that the in-person retreat is the ideal for the communal aspect it brings to the candidates, the parish may implement this virtual retreat as the Youth Confirmation Retreat,” said Diocesan Youth Director Oscar Guzman. “Candidates must have permission from their pastors, catechetical leader (DRE) or confirmation coordinator/catechist to use this retreat to fulfill the requirement of the Youth Confirmation Guidelines.”
One additional retreat is scheduled Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May 18—the registration deadline is Thursday, April 24.
For additional information and/or to register for any of these five Online Confirmation Retreats, please go online to amarillodiocese.org/confirmation-virtual-retreat. Parishes that need assistance in putting on a Confirmation Retreat are encouraged to go to amarillodiocese.org/booking-deanery-retreats for additional help. Guzman can also be contacted at 806-383-2243, ext. 118 or via email, [email protected].
 
DCYC 2025 Registration Underway
Amarillo—Registration continues for the annual Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference.
DCYC 2025 for youth in grades seven through twelve Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27 at the Amarillo Civic Center, 401 South Buchanan.
Regular registration is $55 per person and must be postmarked by Monday, March 31. The fee includes two meals, but no t-shirt and gifts.
For those registering at the door, cost is $65 per person, according to Diocesan Youth Director Oscar Guzman. The registration fee includes two meals.
Registration can be done at the parish level and any additional costs depends on the cost of transportation, lodging and additional meals.
For those planning to go to Wonderland Park on Sunday, April 27, tickets are $21 per person. Guzman said those planning to go to Wonderland Park are welcome to order for family as well.
Confirmed speakers at DCYC 2025 include:
• Connor Flanagan;
• Susej Thompson;
• Roxana Duran; and,
• Anasthasia Tan.
Catholic musician Josh Blakesley will provide music for the conference.
During the opening evening of DCYC on Friday, April 25, there will be a danzando, or dance off, lego and connect four competition, according to Guzman.
“All proceeds from DCYC 2025 competition activities will go toward our bus fund,” he said. “Covenant Teen has already raised over $26,000, with the first donation toward the fund coming in 2014 from a family in Spearman.
“After over 10 years raising funds to pay for a 15-passenger bus/van that will be used by parishes in the Diocese of Amarillo, it’s time to accomplish this goal.”
Youth interested in attending DCYC 2025 are asked to contact their parish youth minister or priest for additional parish delegation details. For more information, please go online to amarillodiocese.org/dcyc-aka-youth-rally. Those wishing to donate toward the bus fund are asked to contact Guzman at 806-383-2243, ext. 118.
 
Final Thematic Retreat Scheduled
Amarillo—The final scheduled Thematic Retreat for the 2024-2025 school year takes place in the South Deanery on Saturday, April 5 at St. Anthony’s Church, 115 North 25 Mile Avenue in Hereford, according to diocesan youth director Oscar Guzman.
Cost of the retreat is $25 per person in advance, $35 at the door. This retreat is for students in seventh through twelfth grades.
The theme of the retreats is Triumphant.
“I want to remind deanery youth directors that they can book Deanery retreats through other retreat teams, if that is their intention,” Guzman said. “The Diocese of Amarillo encourages all four deaneries to host two retreats for its youth, or one per cluster, each school year. Each deanery is welcome to invite a team to assist with the retreat, or put a group together from within its own parish. The Diocesan Youth Office continues to assist parishes that would like to host a deanery retreat with $350 for promotion and general assistance.”
Learn more about youth activities and thematic retreats in the Diocese of Amarillo by going to the diocesan website, amarillodiocese.org. Go to the Ministries header and click Youth Ministry. Once on the Youth Ministry page, look for the submenu’s for Deanery Youth Activities and/or Deanery Retreats. For additional information on hosting a retreat, please contact Oscar Guzman at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 806-383-2243 ext. 118, or via email, [email protected].