Jan. 18, 2017 By Kelly Donnelly Greetings from the Department of Youth Ministry! In Pope Francis’ homily for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, he stated, “Celebrating the feast of the Holy As we enter 2017, I am profoundly filled with gratitude as I look at the many people working tirelessly to help guide our young people so that they are fully aware of the beautiful family of faith that they belong to. Across the diocese, many past and upcoming events speak to the ever-growing warmth enabling all of us to grow together in humanity. Two bus-loads of youth from the diocese are traveling to Washington, D.C. to participate in the March for Life. Organized by Colleen and John Miner, the Respect Life Directors, teens will attend a youth rally and Mass for Life, tour the National Basilica, hear guest speakers Laura and Mary Kizor, and stand up for life as they participate in the National March for Life. Please keep the youth and chaperones in your prayers as they participate in this profound pilgrimage! Diocesan Youth Council members are hard at work planning for two day-long Lenten retreats held in Malone on March 25 and Canton on March 26.
The theme of the retreat is Reawaken, and it will include a day of prayer, reflection, and fun. Open to all in grades 6-12, registration for the retreat is available at: www.rcdony.org/lentenretreat Planning for the 2017 High School Youth Rally is underway! Committee members are planning workshops and finalizing the schedule for this full-day event that is open to students in grades 9-12. The youth rally will be held at IHC in Watertown on May 6, and the theme of the day is “You Were Made for More.” The rally will feature the inspiring and engaging Paul J. Kim as the keynote address, include opportunities for prayer, workshops, fun, and a closing Mass presided by Bishop LaValley. Youth ministry leaders can register chaperones and youth at rcdony.org/youthrally/rally. This summer will offer several opportunities for youth to stay active in the Church. Registration for Catholic Heart Work Camp, which will be held in Plattsburgh from June 25-30 is open; youth in grades 9-12 interested in attending can register by email: chwc.ogdensburg @gmail.com. Camp Guggenheim registration for 2017 is also available. Weeks 1-5 are open to youth ages 12-15, and Week 6 is available for 16-18 year olds; campers can be registered at www.rcdony.org/camp. Staff and Teen Vision applications for Camp Guggenheim 2017 are also available on the website and are due on February 21. Looking ahead, the National Catholic Youth Conference will be held in Indianapolis November 2017. The diocese will be taking a group of 9th-12th graders to this inspiring event that welcomes Catholic teens from across the country and includes speakers, music, workshops, interactive programs, and prayer. Interested teens can register and get more information at rcdony.org/youthncyc/ncyc In addition to these upcoming events, parishes across the diocese continue to host local and regional youth ministry events where teens are growing closer to the Lord. If you have any questions or concerns regarding youth ministry, feel free to get in touch with the Department of Youth Ministry at 315-393-2920. Thank you for all your prayers and support for the youth of our diocese! |
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Mother of God makes us smile once more as we realize that we are a people, that we belong, that only within a community, within a family, can we as persons find the climate, the warmth, that enables us to grow in humanity, and not merely as objects meant to consume and be consumed.” 
The members of Diocesan Youth Council met for an opening retreat in Malone where they participated in leadership workshops and prayer, and now they are putting some of that training into action as they plan and prepare for the upcoming peer-led Lenten retreat. 