Diocese of Gary

CYX Presents Gospel In Language Youth Understand

July 31, 2005

A few years ago, I undertook a consultation process with priests, youth ministers, parents, and youth about the ministerial needs for the youth in our diocese. It became obvious that we needed a full-time diocesan coordinator of youth ministry to assist parish youth leaders, and we hired Kevin Driscoll who was ministering as associate youth director in a Florida diocese.

Last year, Kevin and a team of parish youth leaders initiated Catholic Youth Xperience, "CYX," a comprehensive, weekend youth ministry conference for high school-aged teens and their youth ministers. Twenty-five parishes were represented at the first CYX last summer.

The second annual Catholic Youth Xperience is taking place this weekend at Valparaiso University. I look forward to celebrating Holy Mass with them at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center on Sunday.

CYX addresses many of the priorities identified for our young people, especially the need for adolescent catechesis. Religious formation and education is a lifelong process. It cannot end with Confirmation. As you might recall, this was a priority I set for our diocese when I arrived here in August 1992. Catechesis is particularly necessary during the high school years which are a critical time during which young people are often formed. Thus, it stands to reason that we put forth our best effort when it comes to being a part of this formation. We must do everything possible to encourage them to live a life worthy of God’s call (2 Thes 1:11).

The newly-released National Directory of Catechesis affirms the difficulty of this challenge because young people, as a group, are so easily influenced by materialism, consumerism, and the media culture. One way we can counter that, in addition to setting an example by which we ourselves shun materialism, consumerism, and the media culture, is by helping our young people integrate the Gospel message into their lives. We must articulate it in ways that make sense to them spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally.

The Catholic Youth Xperience presents the Gospel message in a language young people comprehend. The conference uses interactive learning sessions, small communities, upbeat Catholic music, and dynamic youth-friendly speakers to address such themes as Catholic identity, prayer and worship, social justice, chastity, healthy Christian relationships, morality, Sacraments, and Christian leadership.

While the teens are in age-appropriate learning sessions, parish adult leaders will enjoy "Leadership Styles of Jesus," presented by faculty from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

I am grateful to Kevin Driscoll, the Diocesan Youth Council, and the many gifted parish leaders who devote themselves to proclaiming the Gospel at CYX and in parish youth programs throughout the diocese.