What is IOWA2000?
We are excited to announce that IOWA2000, a Eucharistic centered Retreat for youth and young adults, will be held in Des Moines on February 8–10, 2008 at Dowling Catholic High School. For the past seven years the Des Moines area has been blessed by having the YOUTH2000 Retreat. Under the encouragement and direction of the YOUTH2000 National Office and Bishop Joseph Charron C.P.P.S. - IOWA2000 Ministries, Inc. has been formed to host this local Eucharistic centered retreat. We are committed to the same focus, format and continuity as in years past.

At the Retreat there is an atmosphere of joy and celebration, an enthusiasm that is unique and contagious. The weekend includes energetic Praise & Worship music, praying the Rosary, talks by the Franciscan Friars and two extraordinary lay speakers, peer testimonies, fellowship and community building. The heart and center of the weekend is the Daily Liturgy-the Holy Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. After the Holy Mass on Friday, Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament, is exposed for Adoration in a gold monstrance and placed on a candle lit altar in the middle of the gym floor. Hundreds of students and young adults literally sit around this altar for all the talks and music throughout the IOWA2000 Retreat. Holy Mass is again celebrated on Saturday afternoon, after an intense day of workshops, community building and celebration. Saturday night includes a very powerful Procession of the Blessed Sacrament that brings home the reality of Christ Jesus’ True Presence in the consecrated host. Finally, on Sunday, the closing Holy Mass is shared with family & friends and the Knights of Columbus with some reflection time on what this IOWA2000 Retreat held for each of the attendees. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available throughout the whole weekend thanks to our local priests who come and aid us in this most important aspect of the weekend.

Who Attends IOWA2000?
The IOWA2000 Youth & Young Adult Retreat is for students and young adults between the ages of 13 and 30. Many parishes will send their Confirmation groups to the IOWA2000 Retreat. On hand throughout the Retreat are adult staff, volunteers, chaperones and supporters who offer prayer, presence, time, and financial support to help make the IOWA2000 Retreat weekend possible. Full security is in place the whole weekend and parents are encouraged to come and celebrate the event with their student. The Des Moines area Knights of Columbus are also present for the final Holy Mass on Sunday morning. Everyone is welcome to attend this final Celebration on Sunday.

What Happens at IOWA2000?
In a word: GRACE. Those who come to the IOWA2000 Retreat experience an outpouring of God’s unending Love and Mercy. Unbreakable friendships are made, and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is started and strengthened. Joy is abundant and the beauty of our Catholic Faith, in communion with Catholics all over the world, is made relevant to the Catholic youth of today.

Who Presents IOWA2000?
The IOWA2000 Retreat is led by a ministry team - the “Franciscan Friars of The Renewal” from the Bronx, NY. This holy order of young priests, brothers and sisters has taken seriously the Gospel message to give all they have to the poor and to follow Christ Jesus. Their simple lifestyle, love of Jesus Christ, and service to the poor, witness to the young listeners a powerful likeness of Christ Jesus living in today’s world. They, along with two powerful lay speakers, will energize the attendees with the truth about our Lord Jesus. In addition, local sisters and lay people from all over central Iowa join us to lead small group discussions, and our local priests come to celebrate the powerful Daily Liturgies and administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It’s a grace filled weekend – JOIN US

Jesus is Calling

                         Mercy is Falling

                                                  Come, See for Yourself …