"The Spirituality of Reconciliation," Presenter: Fr. Kevin Scalf, MA, C.PP.S.
Thursday evenings Feb. 23, Mar. 1, 8 & 15 6:30-8:30p Our Lady of Consolation, Merrillville

"Stages of Faith- The Journey," Presenter: Dan Lowery, Ph.D.
Thursday evenings March 1, 8, 15 & 22 6:30-8:30p Calumet College, Whiting

Fee: $20 per session (all four classes comprise a session). To obtain a registration form and obtain additional information about the sessions and presenters, click here. For additional information, contact Anne Verbeke 769-9292, x280 or e-mail: averbekeATdcgary.org 

Igniting the Fire 2012: “Welcome to Holywood!”: One of the best examples of a collaborative, multi-parish youth ministry event is now in its 3rd year, and event planners are asking you and your teens to mark your calendars! The Igniting the Fire overnight lock-in is back in 2012, March 3-4 at Holy Spirit, Winfield. Theme: “Welcome to Holywood.” An amazing overnight experience that involves and inspires middle school and high school youth in their faith, Igniting the Fire has become the premier lock-in event in NW Indiana!

> Download info pack, including promo poster & forms

Gifts of Elizabeth: Individuals and Catholic youth ministries are asked to support a new service ministry established by Chael Rock, a teen from St. Mary (Kouts) and a veteran of diocesan youth ministry events. Gifts of Elizabeth was established by Chael after the 2011 Diocese of Gary Catholic Youth Xperience. Chael participated in a service project in which she performed rehab work for Housing Opportunities, an agency assisting the homeless and poor in Porter County. Chael was inspired by a passage in Matthew’s Gospel, “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (MT 25:40). The name Gifts of Elizabeth is derived from the life and mission of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, who devoted her life to help the homeless and the poor.

The ministry is simple: individuals or groups collect items of simple life necessity that we take for granted, but are much needed by our less fortunate brothers and sisters. Examples: blankets, toothpaste, diapers, toilet paper. Organize a collection, or submit donations directly to Chael in Kouts.

For more information on the ministry, an updated list of needs, contact info, click here or visit the Gifts of Elizabeth website on Facebook.

Interested in helping Housing Opportunities beyond CYX? Get Involved!

A number of the nearly 30 incoming HS seniors who painted, stacked, sorted, lifted, hauled (and a dozen other verbs) at Housing Opportunities as part of their CYX 2011 vowed to return and continue their volunteerism! Most teens love service projects, they just need us adults to take care of the administration. HO invites the participation of groups and individuals, and always has many areas of need. Areas of opportunity including providing direct support to clients, support services, and maintenance. For a complete list of specific current volunteer needs, please contact Kathleen McClure at 219-548-2800 x205 and visit http://housing-opportunities.com/home/get-involved.html  for the most current list of HO needs. Learn more about the mission of Housing Opportunities at: www.housing-opportunities.com

Wanted: New DYC reps! Attention Youth Ministry Leaders: Any time is a good time to add Diocesan Youth Council reps if you have not done so already. While it is completely up to you to designate your reps and their terms, and reps can be added at any time, right after CYX and the start of the new academic year provides the best chance for new reps to come aboard. Each parish is allowed up to two HS-aged reps. You may utilize the Info Sheet on the DYC webpage as an application, but all I really need to add them is your okay and their contact information. I will mail them and their parents a welcome packet. Reps should have a general understanding of the roles and responsibilities. Check out the Bylaws, FAQ, and Dates links at the DYC webpage. ~Kev

Indiana Catholic Action Network (I-CAN): Shaping public policy is the responsibility of every person. Our democratic form of government and our Church both call us to become involved. The IN Catholic Conf. analyzes political issues from a social and moral point of view, and through the Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN), you and other Catholics can have a direct impact on legislative action. Become part of the I-CAN network through email “Action Alerts.” Follow the Church's position on legislative issues, know the Church’s position on issues, and learn how to contact legislators to voice an opinion. To sign up, visit http://is.gd/iccican

Contemporary Catholic Christian praise & worship band Inspired is looking for gigs! If you're looking to enliven your youth ministry retreat, gathering, prayer service, etc., consider inviting Inspired. This band, which ministers at St. John the Evangelist Church (St. John), has been together for over 10 years, singing, praying, and praising! Ron Foltman, a singer/songwriter/arranger, fronts the band and serves on lead vocal and lead acoustic guitar. Inspired has performed its ministry at various events, including CYX '04 '05, & '06, Source & Summit retreats and Grasta De!. For more information, contact Ron (email , 219-365-9490).

Summer Service Weeks at Sharing Meadows: Do you have teens looking for something special this summer? Consider Sharing Meadows, Rolling Prairie (La Porte County). They offer week-long summer camps for adults with disabilities. Unlike most mission trips, these service opportunities pay you (use it as a fundraiser)! This from our friend, former youth minister Sandy Furman, from the sponsoring organization, Share Foundation:

We're looking for great people to truly be Christ’s hands and feet in today’s world! Summer camps begin in June and go, consecutively, until mid-July. Staff can be 17 to 75 years of age. A stipend of $150 per week is offered to counselors and cooks, $175 to nurses. This is such an uplifting, spiritual, relaxing, fun experience for any age! The child within just naturally comes out...Do one camp or all six! We also offer weekend Mini-Camps all year 'round, and we accept volunteers for those, or c'mon out and get a good preview of what summer camps are like.

Contact Sandy, 10am to 5pm, 219-778-2585. Email sfurmanATsharefoundation.org Sharing Meadows website is: www.sharefoundation.org

Of particular need, I am struggling with finding male staff for our summer camps for adults with disabilities. In your multiple daily contacts, if you would run across anyone (especially males!), that is out of work, needs service hours, is retired looking for something to do, please have them contact me.

Youth Ministry Formation...

Ever dreamed of being a Notre Dame student? Now you can for less than $75...and receive ongoing formation in youth ministry! The Satellite Theological Education Program at Notre Dame (STEP-ND) offers two online courses on Catholic youth ministry for a very reasonable cost. Youth Ministry 101 & Youth Ministry 201* :. Visit STEP-ND to register or learn more.
* - recommended for Diocese of Gary YMU graduates