Dec. 7, 2016

By Kelly Donnelly
Diocesan director of youth ministry

A newly established Diocesan Youth Council (DYC) held an opening retreat Nov. 11 in Malone.

The council is comprised of 10th-12th graders who have shown themselves to be strong leaders active in living out the Catholic faith.  The council members are appointed to serve on the council for the 2016-2017 academic year. 

At the opening retreat, DYC members had a chance to get to know one another and focused on the council’s theme for the year, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men,” through prayer and discussion. 
These teens will participate in a variety of meetings and workshops throughout the year that are designed to help them deepen their faith and learn a variety of leadership skills that they can put into action at their parishes.

Additionally, the council members will help plan and facilitate daylong Lenten retreats for their peers.  One retreat will be held in Malone on March 25, and a second in in Massena on March 26.
DYC members will also plan and lead parts of the high school youth rally that will be held at Immaculate Heart Central School in Watertown May 6.

The seven members of the council are Noah Arevalo of Moriah, Kennedy Boyea of Chateaugay, Grace Furnace of Massena, Kathryn Larson of Plattsburgh, Maureen Pierce of Heuvelton, Michaela Valley of Malone, and Hans Xu of Plattsburgh.