Diocesan Youth Council

Upcoming Diocesan Youth Council Gatherings:

• Sun., Feb. 19 (1-4pm): DYC Meeting, OLC, Merrillville
• NO MEETING IN MARCH: If you have never participated in the TAPT Retreat, DYC reps are encouraged to do so! TAPT XXIV, March 23-25, 2012 www.garytapt.com
• Sun., Mar. 18 (Time TBA, b/w Noon-5pm): DYC reps needed to be included in workshop panel for Diocese of Gary Catechetical/Liturgical Day, St. Paul, Valparaiso (see below)

1-27-12

Special thanks to all who made the January mtg a very productive one! You used your Christian and peer leadership skills to helps us review an important TAPT retreat process, and then you looked inward at your own prayer lives with the help of Joe Kern. We can't be strong Catholic Christian leaders unless we evangelize, and we have to start with a relationship with Christ.

DYC Reps needed for Cat/Lit Day panel: Church leaders ask often why more HS teens aren't engaged in youth ministry, Mass, and other areas of the parish. So I proposed a workshop that would address just this topic, with teens that ARE involved- you! The annual Catechetical/Liturgical Day is Sunday afternoon, March 18 with speakers and workshops brought in to help DRE's, catechists and liturgical leaders make their ministries better (similar to Ministry Congress). Here is the workshop description:

"What about the HS teens that WANT more Church?!" Many lament that too many teens disappear after Confirmation. But there exists in the diocese a strong and steadily growing community of teens who are excited about and proud of their Catholic faith, and are actually-- ready for this?!-- disappointed that the Church isn't doing more for teens. This session gives you an opportunity to meet a panel of teens from the Diocesan Youth Council, and the chance to ask them why and how they became so active in their faith post-Confirmation. Want to know what teens want? Ask them!

This is not a regular meeting, and is certainly outside of the expectations of DYC reps. (I'm looking for just 6-8 reps.) But it is a great opportunity to speak out on behalf of teens who ARE excited about their faith and ARE searching for more from the Catholic Church. You wouldn't need to prepare- just be yourself! I will serve as moderator, and you would field questions from the crowd, press conference-style! More details at the Jan. DYC mtg.

Notes & Reminders…

BAD WEATHER POLICY: Know what to do if bad weather is threatening to cancel a DYC mtg. (Scroll down.)

TAPT: For those of you who have previously attended TAPT: are you interested in serving on the team? APPLY NOW! Teens & parents, visit garytapt.com to get everything you need to learn more about the commitment to serve on the TAPT XXIV team, and to apply. Deadline is MONDAY, JAN. 17!!

SNACKS: Please make sure you eat lunch before your arrival. For all meetings you are invited and encouraged to bring snacks to share!

Evangelization to, with, by, and for Catholic Teens
Insights from the Diocese of Gary Youth Council
Read what our Diocesan Youth Council had to say about why teens participate- or DON'T participate- in faith-based activities, including Mass and youth ministry activities. click here

December, 2011
< Mtg notes now posted

Pix: 8th annual DYC MEETING & WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE!
Sunday, December 18 (1-4pm), OLC (Merrillville)

If bad weather is threatening on the day of a meeting, I will leave a message about any cancellations on the outgoing message of my voice mail at the office. Call 219-769-9292. When asked, press in my extension number: 229.
The webpage will usually not indicate cancellations. Facebook users: I will also send a msg. out to DYC reps who have added me as a friend. To add, visit facebook.com/yyakev .

Great Job DYC reps at Grásta Dé!
Thank you for your hard work and your willingness to be a minister of hospitality. Those middle schoolers DO look up to you, and you serve as a great witness to your faith at this annual event.

MINISTRY CONGRESS: I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of you DYC reps that made it to the Ministry Congress on Oct. 15! I believed from the earliest visioning of this program that teens NEEDED to be included in this event, and your presence there didn’t disappoint. I recognize and salute the sacrifices you made to be there, and please know how valued your presence was.

Now the sad part: OYYA spent $200 in registration fees for DYC reps that we never saw on Congress weekend. No phone call, no email, no Facebook message, no text. Just didn't show up. Failing to tell me you wouldn't be there not only demonstrated poor leadership, it demonstrated poor Christian stewardship, in that it meant money that could have been spent on ministry was wasted.

Excellent work at the September mtg. Have you told your youth ministers yet that you now know how to write collect prayers?! The prayers were submitted to a national committee overseeing NCYC Ambassadors and were read at NCYC workshops. That means YOU wrote prayers for OVER 20,000 NCYC PARTICIPANTS! You were part of something special!

Congrats and KUDOS! on a great Catholic Youth Xperience!
CYX could not happen without the commitment, talents and dedication of a lot of people, including YOU! A well-deserved pat on the back for serving your peers.

> (May, 2011) Pix from May 2011 Mtg. & Senior Appreciation. Congrats, Class of '11!

Notes & Reminders…

• It’s always good to review the “Responsibilities of DYC reps,” as detailed in the DYC Bylaws. Take a moment to scan the document, especially the “responsibilities” part. How are you doing?

• SNACKS: 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! 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.

WELCOME! to our newest DYC reps:

Miguel Marcano (Assumption, New Chicago)
Anthony Mendez (Sacred Heart, Whiting)

Congratulations and many prayers to Nate Edquist, who has become the Diocese of Gary's newest Seminarian. read all about it in this article from the latest Vocations Newsletter.

Nate served on the Diocesan Youth Council from April 2007 through CYX 2009, representing St. Joseph (La Porte). It was at that CYX that Nate received the Breath of the Spirit Award.

Please join me in continuing to pray for Nate in his discernment process!

RECENT PICTURES

> (May, 2011) Pix from May 2011 Mtg. & Senior Appreciation. Congrats, Class of '11!

> (Dec. 2010) DYC Mtg & White Elephant Gift Exchange

> (Oct, 2010) DYC at Ministry Congress

> (Sep, 2010) DYC kicks off new academic year with retreat day!

> (Jun, 2010) DYC hard at work preparing for CYX 2010

> 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!

Top Ten Challenges Facing High School-Aged Teens
Diocese of Gary Diocesan Youth Council • June, 2009

> Read it as a webpage

> Download/print a PDF

> Read the story in the NWI Catholic

Using a careful discernment and consensus process, the Diocesan Youth Council arrived at this list. The DYC invites parish leaders to use this list as a discussion starter with youth. Some may agree with items on this list, some may disagree, but it could be the start of good discussions.

DYC reminders:

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

• FOOD: 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

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

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