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Lifeline allows high schoolers to encounter Jesus Christ and experience true community within the Church. Each evening includes Mass, a dynamic speaker, praise and worship, and adoration. NET partners with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to host Lifeline and Lifeline Latinamente at the NET Center in West St. Paul. For more information, check out the FAQs.
Katie Prejean McGrady
Katie Prejean McGrady is a wife, mom, award-winning author, speaker, and daily radio show host. She has authored four books with Ave Maria Press and hosts multiple podcasts, including Ave Explores, Like a Mother, and Family Mass Prep on Hallow. A frequent writer for Catholic outlets like Blessed is She and Our Sunday Visitor, Katie also serves as a consultant for the USCCB and appears as a Catholic commentator on CNN. Since 2021, she has hosted The Katie McGrady Show on Sirius XM, covering pop culture, current events, and Catholic news. Katie lives in Lake Charles, LA, with her husband, Tommy, and their daughters, Rose and Clare.
Rachel Herbeck
Rachel Herbeck is the Director of Young Adult Discipleship for Renewal Ministries and hosts Burning Hearts, a daily podcast and radio program. She received her degree in Catholic Studies from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has worked extensively in youth ministry and speaks to youth and young adults at retreats, conferences, and events in the US and Canada. Rachel is passionate about life issues and has worked for multiple pro-life and political organizations in Minnesota and Washington, DC. She formerly worked for the Minnesota Catholic Conference, doing outreach and lobbying for the Catholic Bishops of Minnesota. She currently resides in Plymouth, Michigan.
Ryan O'Hara
With 25+ years of college ministry experience, Ryan O’Hara serves the Church nationwide through speaking, consulting, and podcasting. Ryan is passionate about seeing Catholics center their lives on Jesus Christ and become disciples who generously live and share their faith with others. A trusted voice, he has spoken to thousands around the world. He and his wife Jill live in West St. Paul, MN, raising four teenage and young adult sons.
Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck
Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck is a priest of the Peoria Diocese in Illinois, where he is serving in his fifth year as Vocation Director. Before working in Vocations, he was a campus chaplain at St. John’s Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois. Fr. Chase was raised in a family that loved both the Catholic Church and sports. He became a high school All-American in soccer and played on the United States National Team before moving on to play Division I soccer at Clemson University. After graduating from Clemson, Fr. Chase spent four years playing professional soccer in Chile prior to returning to the US and signing with Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution. In 2008, Fr. Chase resigned his contract and entered Mount St. Mary’s Seminary with hopes of becoming a Catholic priest. He was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ in 2014.
Mari Pablo
Mari Pablo is a proud Hispanic and cradle Catholic whose life was transformed in the most beautiful way when she chose to surrender fully to God. In a world filled with falsehoods, she found the ultimate truth and joy in Him. Mari’s mission is to inspire others to reject the fleeting allure of worldly things and strive for something greater—striving for Him. She is passionate about being an instrument of God's love, uniting hearts with the One who heals, restores, and loves unconditionally. Mari has traveled across the continental United States and Latin America, speaking about the heart of Christ and the beauty of the Catholic faith.
Lifeline Latinamente allows high schoolers to encounter Jesus Christ and experience true community within the Church, with an emphasis on Catholic Latino traditions and culture. Each event is bilingual and includes a dynamic speaker, small group discussions, praise and worship, adoration, and a free lunch. NET partners with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to host Lifeline and Lifeline Latinamente at the NET Center in West St. Paul.
For more information, check out our FAQs.
Chenele Shaw
Chenele Shaw is a former youth minister and theology teacher, and a current young adult trying to live her life for Christ, frequent her therapist, and eat all the cheese! She desires to be her authentic self and help others as well. Chenele has written for many Catholic publications, including Our Sunday Visitor and The Catholic Woman. She is a member of the board for the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry and the Before Gethsemane Initiative. She is currently calling sunny Florida her home. In her free time, you can find her watching reality TV, going to confession, and updating her Spotify playlists.
Fr. Agustino Torres
Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR, is a priest with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and the founder of Corazón Puro. He is the author of Prepare Your Heart, and serves as a retreat guide, spiritual director, and an international youth and young adult speaker. He is the principal author of REAL Formation, an inculturated Confirmation Program designed for Gen Z that forms the catechist and the young person.
Torres hosts the EWTN TV shows ICONS and Clic con Corazon Puro (in both English and Spanish), and host of the National Eucharistic Revival podcast Revive.
All Lifeline and Lifeline Latinamente one-day events are free and do not require registration.
Registration and fees are required for Lifeline Upper Room and Upper Room Retreat.
While events are geared towards high school students, families and parish groups of varying ages are welcome.
Nope! Come solo, with a friend or two, or alongside your parish group.
We recommend bringing any prayer materials you would like during adoration, a notebook or journal to take notes in, and a refillable water bottle.
Lifeline events: We do not provide food or drinks at Lifeline events. There are several water bottle refilling stations, and you may bring a snack if necessary (Please note: the NET Center is a nut-free facility).
Lifeline Latinamente events: A free lunch is provided at Lifeline Latinamente events.
Lifeline Latinamente is an event that is designed for Latino Catholic youth with an emphasis on Catholic Latino traditions and culture. Practically, Lifeline Latinamente is at a different time of day, has a different structure (includes small groups and free lunch instead of Mass), and is a bilingual event. Most of the spoken content is in English, with some Spanish used occasionally. The music is both in Spanish and English.
Yes! We welcome all youth to come to this event, including any adult parents, chaperones, youth ministers, etc.
You can reach out to our Minnesota Local Outreach Coordinator at lifeline@netusa.org
Lifeline Upper Room is for high schoolers who are ready to dive deeper into being Christ’s disciples. Participants gather together before each Lifeline event for a special presentation and Q&A with the Lifeline speaker, consistent small groups led by a NET Missionary, time for worship, and the opportunity to set up for and practice evangelization during Lifeline events.
Cost: $300 (includes the cost of Upper Room Retreat registration)
Registration Deadline: September 19, 2025
Kick-off night | Sept. 27, 6:30 - 9:30 PM
Lifeline Upper Room | Oct. 4, 12:00 - 9:00 PM
Lifeline Upper Room | Nov. 1, 12:00 - 9:00 PM
Lifeline Upper Room | Jan. 10, 12:00 - 9:00 PM
Lifeline Upper Room | Feb. 7, 12:00 - 9:00 PM
Upper Room Retreat | Feb. 27 - Mar. 1
Lifeline Upper Room | Apr. 11, 12:00 - 9:00 PM
Upper Room Retreat is designed for high schoolers who are ready to take their faith to the next level and be Christ’s disciples outside of youth group. The three-day, two-night retreat will provide opportunities to spend time with other invested Catholic teens in worship, talks, small groups, and dynamic games and activities.
Cost: $175/per person
Regristration deadline: January 31, 2026
The weekend will include time for talks given by NET staff, small groups led by NET missionaries, activities, games, worship, and the sacraments.
The retreat costs $175. Your registration includes a $75 non-refundable deposit. Cancellations made within two weeks of the retreat will be non-refundable.If you are feeling unwell the day of the retreat and believe you may be ill, we will issue a refund.
Our retreat center is attached to our office building at 110 Crusader Ave W, West St. Paul, MN 55118. When you arrive, drive to the far end of the parking lot. Our staff will meet you inside the double doors.
Friday: Please arrive between 6:30 - 6:50 PM. The retreat will begin at 7:00 PM.
Sunday: The retreat ends at 3:00 PM.
We ask that participants be present for the entirety of the retreat. Special accommodations are only made for serious family or health-related circumstances. Please contact lifeline@netusa.org if you need to discuss this. Sporting events or extracurricular activities are not valid reasons for arriving late or leaving early.
Please note: Any items from the “What NOT to Bring” list will be collected and returned at the end of the weekend.
We encourage participants to leave their phones at home. If a phone is brought, we will ask that the youth leave it in their bag. This is to ensure that all participants are able to fully enter into the retreat.
Parents can contact their child through the staff phone number: 651-472-4134. If a child wishes to call home, our staff are happy to facilitate that.
Behavioral Policy: If a participant’s behavior becomes disruptive or inappropriate, or if they leave the retreat center without permission, we will contact their parents and request they be picked up.
Please eat dinner before arriving on Friday. Snacks will be provided, along with meals throughout the retreat.
Our dorm rooms are equipped with five sets of twin bunk beds, two sinks, a shower, and a toilet. Fresh fitted sheets are provided, but participants must bring their own linens. The youth will stay in dorms with their small group, who they will get to know throughout the weekend.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact our staff at 651-450-6833 x224 or via email at lifeline@netusa.org.
Parents must submit this Event Waiver two weeks before the retreat date. You must have a form on file in order to participate in the retreat, and we cannot guarantee accommodations for dietary needs if it is received after the due date. If you have any trouble completing the form contact our staff at lifeline@netusa.org.
Our Confirmation Retreat Weekends are two-day retreats for youth in 6th- 12th grade preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation. They provide a transformative experience with opportunities for adoration, reconciliation, and Sunday Mass, along with engaging activities like large group talks, small group discussions, games, and engaging activities. With attendees from all over the Archdiocese and neighboring dioceses, each weekend brings together 80-85 teens for an unforgettable spiritual journey.
Cost is $175 per teen. This cost covers all meals, snacks, materials, and staffing for the 2-day retreat.
Meals provided include lunch, dinner, and snacks on Saturday, as well as breakfast, lunch, and a snack on Sunday.
Retreat runs from 10 AM - 8:30 PM on Saturday and 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Sunday.
Overnight accommodations can be provided for youth coming from a greater driving distance.
All retreats are in-person. Registration closes 2 weeks prior to the retreat.
The January and October retreats have been canceled.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Parish Groups:
If you are a part of a parish group, contact your parish for registration details.
If you'd like to reserve space for your parish group (15 or more people), please contact our Local Outreach Coordinator at crw@netusa.org.
Confirmation Retreat Weekends are $175 per teen. This cost covers all meals, snacks, materials, and staffing for the 2-day retreat. Meals provided include lunch, dinner, and snacks on Saturday, as well as breakfast, lunch, and a snack on Sunday.
Saturday
Drop-Off: 9:30-50 AM
Pick-Up: 8:30 PM
Sunday
Drop-Off: 8:40-9:00 AM
Pick-Up: 3:00 PM
You can drop off your child at the NET Center Events entrance located at 110 Crusader Ave. W., West Saint Paul, MN 55118. Youth who are driving themselves are welcome to park in our parking lot.
We encourage all youth to leave their phones at home. If they bring their phones, they will be asked to check them in at drop-off and can collect them at dismissal. This allows them to fully engage in the retreat environment without distractions from friends or social media.
If a teen is unable to attend the retreat on their selected weekend and needs to reschedule, there will be a $50 rescheduling fee. If a child is feeling unwell and unable to attend his or her retreat, the $50 rescheduling fee will be waived. If a teen cannot reschedule their retreat, NET will issue a $100 refund.
Unfortunately, we do not allow youth to come and go throughout the retreat as they will miss important talks and sessions. Please see our Attendance Policy: Full retreat attendance is required. Special accommodations are only made for serious family or health-related circumstances. Please contact crw@netusa.org if you need to discuss this. Sporting events or extracurricular activities are not valid reasons for arriving late or leaving early.
All youth
- Water bottle
- Bible
- Journal or notebook
- Pen
- Wear casual clothes (there will be activities that include running and playing)
- On Sunday, please wear or pack dress clothes for Sunday Mass
Overnight youth
- Sleeping bag & pillow
- Toiletries & towel
- For the safety of anyone with food allergies, please do not bring any food (chips, candy, soda, etc.)
- Drugs, alcohol, or tobacco (including e-cigarettes)
- Headphones or Airpods
- Cell phone (see Cell Phone Policy)
Confirmation Retreat Weekends are 2-day retreats. We can provide overnight accommodations for youth who are traveling a great distance to attend the retreat. Indicate that you will need overnight accommodations when registering. Housing is provided at no additional cost. See details below for accommodations.
The NET Center has both women’s and men’s dorm rooms and they are in separate hallways. Each dorm has a shower room, toilet room, two sinks, five bunk beds, and cubbies to hold clothes and bags. Youth will be assigned to dorms based on parish and grade. For security and safety purposes, we hire overnight staff to stay up throughout the night to ensure sleep and dorm safety and to be awake and alert if emergencies occur.
We ask that participants not bring snacks or drinks (other than water). This is to protect other youth that have allergies. The NET Center is a nut-free facility and all our food is nut-free. Meal accommodations can be made for those with allergies to egg, dairy, gluten, and nuts and those who are vegetarian or vegan. Please indicate that you need these accommodations through the registration process.
*This is a sample schedule and is subject to change
Saturday
10:00 AM - Opening Session
10:45 AM - Small Group 1 with a snack
11:15 AM - Large Group Activity
12:30 PM - Lunch
1:30 PM - Session 1
2:00 PM - Small Group 2
2:30 PM - Large Group Activity
3:15 PM - Session 2
3:45 PM - Small Group 3
4:15 PM - Large Group Activity
5:15 PM - Dinner
5:45 PM - Large Group Activity
7:00 PM - Adoration and Confession
8:30 PM - Dismissal for youth not spending the night
8:45 PM - Activity for youth spending the night
10:30 PM - Lights Out
Sunday
9:00 AM - Breakfast
9:45 AM - Session 3
10:30 AM - Small Group 4
11:00 AM - Large Group Activity
12:00 PM - Lunch
1:00 PM - Building Clean-Up
2:00 PM - Mass
3:00 PM - Dismissal
Please complete and submit an Event Waiver (Spanish version) at least two weeks before your scheduled retreat. If you have any questions, please contact our Local Outreach Coordinator at 651.450.6833 x224 or crw@netusa.org
Group reservations are available for 15 or more youth. For more information or to request a reservation, email crw@netusa.org.
If a participant’s behavior becomes disruptive, inappropriate, or if they leave the retreat center without permission, we will contact their parents and request they be picked up. This will result in the retreat being incomplete.
NET Ministries thoroughly screens and trains every NET Missionary before their work with young people. Specifically, NET follows the recommendations of the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” created by the National Catholic Conference of Bishops (now USCCB) in June 2002. Per these recommendations, all of our missionaries undergo an intense, comprehensive training process to ensure their suitability for work with youth before they conduct any ministry with youth.
1. In the initial screening and selection process, NET requires several references for each potential NET Missionary who can testify to the suitability of that potential missionary. Each reference is originally submitted in writing and then verified by our staff. This is part of the extensive application process, which includes two live interviews and a letter from their pastor stating they are in good standing with the Catholic Church.
2. NET Missionaries undergo a criminal background check specialized to accommodate their age. These checks are conducted by The McDowell Agency, the agency being utilized by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. This includes but is not limited to, a search on the National Sex Offenders Database and the USA Criminal Index (which is similar to fingerprinting) but does NOT include fingerprinting.
3. NET Missionaries are trained and certified in safe environment through the “VIRTUS–Protecting God’s Children” course by the National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc. NET Missionaries are also required to successfully complete NET’s training process, which is conducted prior to and during their ministry.
During this training, the NET Missionaries receive instruction concerning:
- appropriate standards of conduct for those working with youth;
- inappropriate speech, touch, and relationships with youth;
- requirements for creating a safe environment for all retreatants;
- guidelines for ensuring their own personal safety.
4. All missionaries annually acknowledge, by their signature, that they have received, understood, and intend to conduct themselves in accordance with NET Ministries’ Personal Conduct Policies. Once the NET Missionaries are in active ministry, they continue to receive ongoing training and supervision by NET staff members, which includes weekly contact and monthly on-site visits. Personnel records, including the paperwork mentioned above, are all kept on each individual missioanry at the NET Center. A more comprehensive explanation is available if needed by contacting our Chief Operating Officer, Brenda Grubb (brendag@netusa.org, 651.450.6833 x104).