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> Frequently
Asked Questions by Youth Ministry Leaders
WHAT IS TAPT?
TAPT is:
...a weekend retreat experience sponsored by the Diocese of Gary
Office for Youth, in collaboration with local parishes and youth-serving
organizations throughout the Diocese of Gary.
...a retreat for high school teens who want to take time to come to
know themselves, others, and Jesus Christ more intimately in their lives.
...a weekend of talks, discussions, activities, prayer,
Reconciliation, Eucharist, food, friends, and more FUN than you ever imagined!
...staffed by priests, experienced and professional adults, and
trained peer ministers from the Diocese of Gary. Former TAPTsters serve as peer
ministers.
...is about bringing teens into a more intimate encounter with the
Incarnate Jesus Christ (Gospel of John 1: 1-14).
...challenges teens to themselves be an encounter of Christ
for those they meet (1 John 4:12).
What makes TAPT a good Catholic event?
Let’s start with the theology: the “heart” of the TAPT weekend is about the
Incarnation of Jesus Christ. The experience of Emmanuel is what TAPTsters will always remember, but recent efforts have been made to increase the catechetical content to reinforce the Church’s
teaching of the Incarnation. While every retreat provides opportunities for
personal faith growth, TAPTsters often comment that their faith grew because of
the sense of community fostered on the weekend. Special attention is paid to
prayer experiences. Participants experience Eucharist, Reconciliation, and a
Prayer of Water and Light that reminds teens of their baptism to Christ.
The retreat is a prayerful journey exploring the Incarnation, ministry, death,
and resurrection of Christ, paying particular attention to Lenten themes. Previous TAPTsters perform Christian servant leadership roles. TAPTsters are
also challenged to continue the faith journey back home, so that the retreat is
not lived “on an island,” but rather is designed to foster more active,
participating young Catholics in parish communities throughout the Diocese.
 > READ ARTICLE FROM NWI CATHOLIC ABOUT EFFORTS MADE TO KEEP TAPT UP TO DATE!Who is invited?
Any high school teen who has not participated in a previous TAPT, and who wishes
to explore his or her faith more deeply. Previous “TAPTsters” are contacted
directly (at the address on file) and invited to apply to serve on the
leadership team. (Teens may participate in TAPT only once.) Some have mentioned
to me that they heard that TAPT was a “beginner’s” retreat for freshmen and
sophomores. Not so! In my observation, many of the teens impacted the most over
the last few years have been juniors and seniors. Diocesan Youth Council reps
who have not participated are strongly urged to do so, consistent with their
mission to spread the word about diocesan youth ministry to other teens in their
communities.
Dates?
Usually two weeks prior to Easter.
2012:
7:00pm, Friday, March 23 to appr. 12:30 pm on Sunday, March 25.
Where?
Camp Lawrence, north of Valparaiso.
How much?
$65 per person, which covers lodging, meals, t-shirt, and expenses. Registration
deadline is March 9. Persons registering have the option of
making an additional $10-20 Solidarity Donation to assist the OYYA in helping
reach out to other teens in need of scholarship assistance.
How do teens register?
By visiting garytapt.com and registering online.
Unlike CYX, the summer HS youth conference, teens may register for TAPT as an
individual, and not as part of a parish group. Therefore, they may submit forms
and money directly to the Diocese of Gary Office for Youth & Young Adults.
Unlike CYX, teens may attend TAPT without an adult from their own parish. We
will however contact youth leaders and ask them to process the experience with
their teens afterward.
Who is their chaperone?
The TAPT retreat weekend is an intimate setting in which the safety of all teens
is carefully monitored at all times. Each teen is assigned to a trained adult
leader in a manageable small group. All adult leaders at TAPT have participated
in diocesan safe environment training. Additionally, certified nurses and
counselors are always on call.
What is needed of ME, the youth
minister??!!
We ask that you promote TAPT to your teens by promoting the retreat, assisting
with bulletin/email announcements, etc. Additionally, at least one youth
ministry leader of all TAPTsters will receive some post-TAPT materials, to
assist you in processing the experience with the teens. If the teens do not
return to your parish ready to more fully live the mission of your faith
community, we have not done our job! Youth ministers are also invited to attend
the TAPT closing liturgy on the last day
of the retreat, as a sign of support for your teens.
Wait, I thought last year was the last TAPT?!
The decision was made to maintain TAPT as a OYYA event, and thanks to a number
of very talented people who have committed their time and talents to the new
TAPT Administrative Board, TAPT will continue to inspire and bring teens into an
encounter of Christ for years to come! Some minor administrative changes will
take place, but teens will likely notice very little if any change.
What do I do if my question wasn’t answered?
Call or email Kevin Driscoll (219-769-9292 x229,
Kev's email ) or Jamie Sandona
(219-616-5341, Jamie's email
.)
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