Upcoming Diocesan Youth Council Gatherings:

• Fri, July 23, 10am-5pm: CYX Setup Day, Valparaiso U.
> DOWNLOAD/PRINT PERM FORM FOR CYX SETUP DAY 7/23  

• July 24-25: CYX 2010 (reps attend with their parish groups)

* Note date and time change!

7/22/10

Dear DYC Reps:

Who’s ready for CYX? I AM!

CYX is almost here! Attendance at the last 3 DYC mtgs has been absolutely inconsistent, making it VERY difficult to complete the CYX tasks assigned to the four committees. I especially salute those reps who have attended consistently, making sacrifices for the good of the Council! Those of you who have been absent, you've had valid excuses, but in the end the show must go on! Plan to arrive at CYX setup day ready to pitch in as needed.

Misc. notes:

• Permission Forms If you turned in your two-sided permission form on the 17th, you're covered for CYX setup day (23rd). If not, bring the form for the 23rd (see above) with you on Friday.

• CYX Setup Day  This is a fun day, but also our last chance to finalize our projects, get the ballrooms ready for CYX environment, assist with learning session room needs, etc. Wear comfortable shoes, and come ready and willing to do whatever it takes to make CYX 2010 the best it can be for you and your peers! While the work will be spread out throughout campus, you should report to Harre Union.

• CYX T-shirts & fun hats Saturday - You don't have to wear them all day, but let's plan to wear them at least through the first general session. Saturday morning will be crazy, as you'll be arriving at the same time as your peers. In that regard, you have no specific tasks, but please arrive as early as possible and check-in with your group leaders, so you can be a leader-- assist in the parking garage with hospitality, traffic flow, etc.

See ya’ Friday!

> Pix from May 2010 Mtg. & Senior Appreciation. Congrats, Class of '10!

> CHECK OUT PIX from the 2009 White Elephant gift exchange!

A very special thank you to all DYC reps who worked hard to make Grásta Dé! a big success. Those of you who stuck it out 'til the bitter end-- 'til EVERYTHING WAS CLEANED UP-- and you know who you are!-- you deserve even more credit for carrying extra weight. The Council was significantly smaller at 7:15 pm than it was at 1:15, so for those of you that carried the extra workload for our "fallen soldiers," GOOD JOB!

> Bishop Melczek column on DYC Top 10 List

> DYC's Top 10 Challenges project was the lead story in the Aug. 30 edition of the NWI Catholic! Check it out here!

DYC reminders:

• I am on Facebook, so if you'd like to add me, please, by all means! (www.facebook.com/yyakev)

• FOOD: We will no longer be providing pizza each month. Please make sure you eat lunch before your arrival. For all meetings you are invited and encouraged to bring snacks to share.

• REPORTS: Come prepared with clear, concise reports. “I don’t know what’s going on” is not a good report. You represent not only a youth ministry, but a parish. There’s probably something going on in your parish!

• Permission forms are not optional. I will be cracking down on missed forms. I don't like to issue them any more than you and your parents like having to complete them, but they are a part of your participation. Not only are you mailed a copy, but they're available online too (see above). No excuses.

• "Excused absences" are absences reported to me one week in advance. "Each member is expected to notify the Office of Youth Ministry at least one week before the meeting if he/she cannot be present and why. If a member has more than one unexcused absence she/he may be removed from the council."

• If you are applying for scholarships, college admission, etc., be sure to list your DYC involvement. Religious involvement- especially religious leadership- is very appealing to many acceptance boards. I am always happy to complete any letters of recommendation, etc. for you. Just give me what you need.

• I am on Facebook, so if you'd like to add me, please, by all means! (click here)

• You should be meeting with your youth minister(s) at least once a month, to ensure that there is a flow of information back and forth.

• If you know you cannot make a significant portion of the meetings, please contact your youth leader ASAP about finding another rep. No need to apologize, we’d just rather have another teen who can attend more regularly.

Blessings in Christ,

Kevin Driscoll
Coord., Diocese of Gary OYYA

WELCOME! to our newest DYC reps:

Angie Bohan (Sacred Heart, Wanatah)
Mary DeVault (Ss. Peter & Paul, Merrillville)
Daniel King (Ss. Monica & Luke, Gary)
Ryan Wilson (Ss. Peter & Paul, Merrillville)
 

> If you need to contact me you can either email me at or you can also find me on Facebook.
 

If you are not receiving DYC emails, either I do not have your email address, or, if I do have it, check your bulk e-mail folder. If that happened, you can help prevent that by adding my email address ( ) to your address books.

YOUTH MINISTRY LEADERS: If your HS-aged parish/group/organization is not represented on the DYC, you may add up to two reps at any time! DYC terms are determined by you, and we're always accepting new reps. Just have the teens complete the Info sheets, and mail them to Kev!

Remember... “Each member is expected to notify the Office of Youth Ministry before the meeting if he/she cannot be present and why.” I’ve had a few of these lately: “Kev, won’t be there. Have a nice day.” That wouldn’t work on your school offices! Also, please give me advance notice. Emails on the day of the meeting aren’t a good thing. I’ve already purchased snacks and made photocopies for you. Email: • Phone: 219-769-9292 x229; Cel (also the day of event emergency number): 219-552-4060