Week of May 9, 2010

Internet, Social Networking & Ministry: Can they Coexist?  Teens more and more live their lives in real time, online, in social networks, even if they’re not on their computers. How do we reconcile our need to have an online presence with our fear of crossing boundaries? Join us Monday night for a seminar on Social Media & Internet issues in ministry, Our Lady of Consolation (Merrillville), 6:30-8:30. Sponsored by OYYA & Higher Ground Creative Media, our expert presenter is Joe Kern, who specializes in social network marketing, and who has himself developed online strategies in youth ministry. The evening will be open to anyone interested in the topic: YM’s, parents, teachers, DRE’s, catechists, principals, priests, etc. No RSVP necessary: come one, come all!

CYX registration opens Saturday!  By now at least one adult leader in each parish/cluster should have received the Registration Info for Group Leaders mailing, which included posters as well. If you did not receive it and are influential in CYX planning, download the book at catholicyouthx.com > Register. Promotions for CYX has begun! Let me know how I can assist you in preparing your group for CYX. While the simpler single deadline won’t arrive until July 9, we’ll open up the system for registering participants this Saturday, and it will remain open until the deadline. Remember, only one main group leader registers online, and by creating the account with showmyevent.com, you can enter individual participant info at any time. Returning parish leaders know they will find their returning teens’ info saved from previous years and waiting for them!

Breath of the Spirit Award: Each summer at the Catholic Youth Xperience, OYYA awards the Breath of the Spirit Award. The award acknowledges youth who go above and beyond to fulfill their baptismal call, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through them to build the Kingdom of God. If you would like to nominate a teen, please complete the nomination form and submit it on or before June 1. The decision will be made by the CYX planning team. Winner will be notified and will receive a complimentary registration to attend CYX. (web/email, click here for more)

Local programs reaching out: I have been inspired to see so many parish-level youth ministry programs reach out to invite other YM programs and teens. From Source & Summit to Igniting the Fire, to this weekend’s Matt Maher concert, to the upcoming Box City, to a rotating Youth Challenge that pits YM programs against one another in friendly competitions, you are setting great examples for other ministries in church! It’s no secret that parishes can be somewhat territorial at times, and sometimes for legitimate reasons. But good events—at home or away—inspire further participation, so keep it up!

Matt Maher this Friday night! It’s not too late to be a part of an unforgettable night of music, ministry, and praise this Fri. night at St. Paul in Valparaiso. Opening act: P.J. Anderson (YMC, St. John the Evangelist, St. John)! Tickets: $30, $20 (with student ID), $20 group rate (groups of 15 or more). Tickets on sale now: contact Meghan Conley (YMC, St. Paul/Valpo) at 219-465-7762, email:  mattmahertixATyahoo.com,  www.itickets.com (search “Matt Maher” under “Find events”).

Graduation/Diocesan Youth Council: This Sunday we’ll pay homage to another class of outgoing senior DYC reps. If you have an outgoing senior, have you discerned his/her replacement? If you have, new reps may begin attending starting at the May 16 meeting, serving alongside outgoing reps through the busy CYX season, including serving on CYX committees. If you have no reps or just one, remember that each parish is allowed up to two reps (HS age), and can add reps at any time. Adult youth leaders decide who should serve. For more info on DYC, visit tu.nu/dyc

OLS YM invites you & your teens to Box City: Box City, an event in which teens will live in boxes all night to better understand the plight of the homeless, will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows in Valparaiso, IN on Sat. May 22- Sun., May 23. Youth grades 6-12 are invited to participate in this event. Check in and set up begins at 3:30 Sat. The cost of this event is $5 which includes a T-shirt, lite snack, concert, and breakfast. Jim Kerwin’s band, Jimmy and the Israelites (St. Edward, Lowell), will be playing from 6-8p.m. People of all ages are welcome to visit Box City and indulge in the music. In lieu of admission, there will be a free-will collection, to be donated to the NWI Food Bank. Box City will end at approximately 1:00p.m. Sunday. Participants may be picked up at OLS parish hall at this time. For more information, including registration info & a flyer, visit tu.nu/box