Higher Ground Retreats™ offer a faith experience that incorporates elements of youth ministry intended to draw young people closer to Christ. By creating a space where the Lord can speak, participants have an increased sense of belonging in the Catholic Church. An invitation to deeper prayer is made through celebrations of Reconciliation and Eucharist. The group activities help young people develop a deeper sense of self, build positive relationships with others, and to grow closer to God, therefore we create an environment where Christian community may be truly experienced.
Higher Ground and Higher Ground Extreme Faith Middle School are a five-day Catholic summer youth program. These programs are sponsored by the Diocese of Grand Island's Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, with Fr. Josh Brown as the Diocesan Spiritual Director. Higher Ground Retreats™ have been a part of our diocese for 55 years and continues to be an important part of the formation of many students. These weeks allow students from across the diocese gather, share, and experience a deeper connection to God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus tells all disciples, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst." (Mt. 18:28). Jesus also calls us to go out to build the reign of God. The participants of HIGHER GROUND are invited to experience the presence of Christ in the building of a Christian community The community (HIGHER GROUND) is a place of celebration, belonging, and acceptance. We then go out (Matthew 25) to our parish communities and the world to be disciples who serve others, thus the call to be HIGHER GROUND.
HG Week 1 - May 22-28 HG Week 2 - May 29 - June 4 HG Extreme Faith - July 9-15
