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CYX Learning
Sessions
FRESHMEN LEARNING SESSIONS
 Dear
Lord Baby Jesus:
Merry
Christmas!
Gather ’round the yule log and grab a cup of eggnog as
we reflect on what Jesus’ birth in a manger 2,000 years
ago means for us today. (Presented by a group of former
CYX participants)
 Why
bad things happen to good people, and other deep
questions: The world is filled with bad stuff:
tragic death, terrorism, poverty, war, disaster…it makes
a person wonder if God truly exists at all. One thing is
certain: God likes it when we ask tough questions.
(Presenter: Fr. Ian Williams, Pastor, Sacred Heart, La
Porte and TAPT Board Member)
 Gospel
of Luke: Gospel of Compassion: Every year the
Catholic Church picks a different cycle of readings from
the Bible to read at Church. This year the headlining
act is Luke, who wrote about some exciting adventures of
Jesus, and in a little different way. Luke wanted you to
know how compassionate Jesus was, and tells some great
stories about Jesus reaching out and making sure that
everyone—including the smallest in the community—could
see God. (Presented by a group of former diocesan event
participants & leaders)
SOPHOMORE LEARNING SESSIONS
 The
Fantastic Four: Sounds like an action-adventure
movie, doesn't it? A non-stop thrill ride of action,
suspense, and awe! Well, being Catholic is kinda' like
that...or at least it should be! We will explore the
Marks of the Church (one, holy, Catholic, Apostolic).
(Presenter: Stacia Bolakowski, Campus Minister, Andrean
High School & DRE, Sacred Heart, Wanatah)
 Teach
us how to pray! Bible hero Saint Paul had some good
advice for his friends the Thessalonians: pray without
ceasing. In other words, don't ever stop praying. Is
that even possible? There are literally thousands of
different ways to pray in the Catholic tradition. This
session will give you some new ideas about how you
connect with God. (Jamie Sandona, Youth Ministry
Coordinator, Whiting-Robertsdale Cluster & St. John
Bosco, Hammond, and Jim Kerwin, CYX & TAPT Music
Coord., St. Edward, Lowell )
 What’s
So Amazing about Grace? How sweet the sound! You
know we used to live in paradise until Adam and Eve just
had to eat that apple. So now we're all trying to get
back. Good news for us: God wants you back in that
garden- with rainbows and sunshine and all that good
stuff- both now and forever! (Presenter: Teresa Lekan,
Youth Ministry Coordinator, St. Matthias, Crown Point)
JUNIOR LEARNING SESSIONS
 I
AM the Church! Too many Christians today act like
they’re members of a Jesus Fan Club: they wait to
receive the latest news, buy the latest album, maybe go
to a “concert” every now and then. But as Catholics
we’re called to ACTIVE participation: in the Liturgy, in
evangelization and in the life of our Parish and our
Diocese. We need to be taught, but we’re also called to
teach. We need to follow, but we’re also called to lead.
We need to spend time in quiet, private prayer, but
we’re also called to come together to worship and
celebrate and xperience our faith. Together we’ll fill
in the blank, “Here’s what I AM going to do: ________!” (Presenters: Deacon Bill Hathaway, St. Edward,
Lowell, and daughter Vicky Hathaway, recent graduate of Marian
University)
 "I Get to Go to Mass!": You've probably
proclaimed those words exactly zero times in your
life! Sure, sometimes- many times- Mass is "boring,"
but if you reflect on the True Presence of Christ in
the Eucharist, the most boring Mass can be the most
profound, incredible experience. You'll have a chance
to ask Fr. Kevin tough questions about why we
Catholics “have to” (get to?!) go to Mass every
Sunday, and he'll explain in new ways what we take for
granted at the Altar. (Presenter: Fr. Kevin Huber,
Pastor, Queen of All Saints, Michigan City)
 A Story About Life: This session will challenge
you to look at life a little differently than you ever
did before. One life is lost, and another is left to
face the pain. A woman finds healing through Christ.
(Presenter: Kathy Druzbicki, Rachel's Vineyard Ministry,
Diocese of Gary)
SENIOR LEARNING SESSIONS
Catholic teens and priests
both have unique lifestyles. But while their days are
spent doing very different things, they are united by
one mission, the mission of One, Holy, Catholic, and
Apostolic Church!
All priests in the Diocese of Gary are invited to join
Bishop Melczek and a group of incoming high school
seniors from throughout Northwest Indiana for a
Priest & Bishop Forum as part of the 2010 Catholic
Youth Xperience. During the forum, priests and teens
will have a chance to learn more about one another and
one another’s culture: opportunities, challenges, and
visions about what their ideal Church would look like.
What do we assume about the other? Through dialogue,
we’ll realize there’s more than meets the eye! Most
importantly, how can priests and teens work together
to build a better Catholic Church in the Diocese of
Gary? CLICK HERE
FOR MORE, INCLUDING PRIEST RSVP INFO
 Facilitator:
Mark Erdosy is the Director of the San Damiano
Scholarship Program and the Director of Church Relations
for Marian University in Indianapolis, a Catholic
University dedicated to excellent teaching and learning
in the Franciscan and liberal arts traditions. Mark
coordinates the San Damiano Scholars program, students
working toward lay, religious, or ordained leadership in
the church.
CLASS OF 2010 LEARNING SESSIONS
 Embarking On Your Spiritual Journey: You are
coming to the end of the high school path. From here
there are dozens of other paths ahead-- each with its
blessings, struggles, and adventures-- and you have to
choose which path to follow! These learning sessions
will help prepare you and give you strength for the
journey. (Presenters: Jen & Phil Dietrich, St. Teresa
of Avila, Valparaiso)
LEARNING SESSIONS PRESENTED IN SPANISH
 ¡Por
primera vez! ¡Se ofrecen las Sesiones de Aprendizaje de
CYX en español!
Estamos tomando los pasos necesarios para hacer la
Experiencia Católica de Jóvenes (CYX) la más inclusiva
que se pueda. Queremos que el evento más grande del
ministerio de jóvenes de la diócesis sea un verdadero
reflejo de la diversidad que existe en la Diocesis de
Gary. ¡Somos muchas partes, somos un solo cuerpo!
Aunque todas las sessiones generales se presentarán en
inglés, ofreceremos un grupo de Sesiones de Aprendizaje
(talleres de fé) en español. Estas sesiones se dedicarán
a temas pertinentes a la juventud católica latina.
Agradecemos muchísimo la ayuda de la Oficina de
Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis con este proyecto.
Si tiene Ud. jóvenes en su grupo que desean participar
en estos talleres, por favor indique cuantos en su
Formulario E, y entréguelo a la diócesis antes del 15 de
junio.
For the first time! CYX
Learning Sessions offered in Spanish!
We are taking steps to make the Catholic Youth Xperience
as inclusive as possible. We want the largest youth
ministry event in the diocese to be a true reflection of
the diversity that exists throughout the Diocese of
Gary. We are many parts, we are all one body!
While all general sessions will be presented in
English, we will offer a Spanish-speaking track of
Learning Sessions (faith workshops). These sessions will
address topics relevant to Latino/a Catholic youth. We
are thankful for the assistance of the diocesan Office
of Hispanic Ministry in this project.
If you have teens in your group that wish to
participate in this track, please indicate how many on
your FORM E, which you will submit to the diocese on or
before June 15.
ADULT LEADER SESSIONS:
 Sessions
1 & 2: Youth Ministry Idea Fair: Many adult leaders
have commented in years’ past that their favorite part
of CYX is the chance to network with other adult leaders
from other parishes. Each year, we offer adult leaders
the chance to enrich their ministries by bringing in a
workshop facilitator or two to present material just for
them, so while teens are in sessions, adults are being
formed too. This year, the special presenter will be…YOU!
Using the popular Pastoral Council Ministry Fair model,
adult leaders from all participating CYX groups will be
encouraged to set up an exhibit of a program or service
that they are proud of, and all adult leaders will have
a chance to learn from one another’s best ideas, ask
about the details, etc. It’s youth minister show and
tell!
Session
3: CHOICE! "Adult Free Time" or...
 Integrating
Social Networking into YM: Joe Kern (YMC, Our Lady
of Consolation), a social media expert with Higher
Ground Creative Media is available to consult with YM's
looking to learn more about the opportunities and
pitfalls of using social media (Facebook, for example)
in your ministry.
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