Our Mission
The mission of the Fr. Bernard Youth Center is "to provide a special place for prayer and personal growth, focused on assisting youth and their mentors in their spiritual development."
The Center
To fulfill this mission FBYC maintains a 15,000 sq. ft. facility suitable for a variety of functions ranging from youth retreats and camps to business meetings and special events such as annual meetings, auctions, fundraising dinners and family celebrations.
FBYC provides an opportunity to step away from the daily distractions of life into a beautiful, serene and extremely well appointed space to focus on what is truly important for that time. Businesses, families, administrators, teachers, students and youth and young-adult groups will benefit by taking advantage of this truly unique opportunity.
FBYC was dedicated January 17, 2006 by Archbishop Vlazny from the Portland Archdiocese and has become a focal point for religious educators unlike any other in the Northwest.
Fr. Bernard Sander
Fr. Bernard was a Benedictine Monk for over 60 years and known for his involvement engaging religious and non-religious alike to do works beneficial to society. His leadership lead to many varied ministries and forms of outreach and countless individuals credit him for their successes on a particular path in life.
Facility
FBYC is conveniently and centrally located along the southern edge of the Benedictine Queen of Angels Monastery. With nearly 15,000 square feet of working space, our building is an ideal setting for a youth retreat center.
FBYC houses a remarkably beautiful Chapel featuring six- 4 x 7 foot icon-etched glass panels that create a breath-taking backdrop for the bronze tabernacle which houses the wounded heart monstrance, St. Christi. The blessed Eucharist is reserved in the tabernacle and the Youth Center, unique from all other retreat centers.
The Chapel can seat 80 people with each chair supporting a kneeler. Available extra seating expands the capacity to 120 or more. The Adoration area, within the Chapel, can comfortably accommodate up to 24 people. There are three Reconciliation Chapels adjacent to the Chapel as well as four additional meeting rooms ideal for small group discussions.
Our Fireside Room was designed to be a theatre-like space with plush seating for 65 attendees. It is equipped with a computer, DVD/CD player, and an amplifier system for presentations, movie watching and heart-to-heart discussions. FBYC features a full-service commercial kitchen for meal preparation or catering with an adjoining Great Room that serves as a dining room and activity area. The Great Room is ideal for dances, projection movies, shuffleboard and table-tennis. The room's capacity is 200 people with round table seating for 120.
Overnight lodging for retreatants and mentors is provided in Marmion Hall, located directly across the street. The well-appointed rooms are furnished with bunk beds; and most with dressers and desks that include two drawers and a closet.
A sports field, a fire pit by a covered eating area as well as a fire pit and a "Bobcat trail" by the lower "amphitheater" make the outdoor experience more fun. A natural living water feature is in the works.
