Youth Ministry News January 2021

Dear Youth Ministers,  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that your year is off to a good start! There are a few youth ministry updates for this semester:

Catholic Youth Convention: The Catholic Youth Convention has been moved back to November. This decision has been made after a two year trial period and thorough assessment of all factors (academic calendar, weather, promotion schedule, etc.) A final January convention for 2021 was planned but based on youth minister feedback and current circumstances, we have opted for providing videos, activities, and resources on the Eucharist that youth will be able to do with their families. These materials and resources will be made available at the end of January. Our next Catholic Youth Convention will be November 6-7, 2021 at the Lynnwood Convention Center. If circumstances do not allow for an in-person convention at that time, we will provide an online convention experience for our youth.

National Catholic Youth Convention (NFCYM): The National Catholic Youth Convention (East) is scheduled for November 18-20, 2021 in Indianapolis. Please contact the youth ministry office if you are interested in forming part of the Seattle delegation. The first NCYC West is scheduled for Spring 2022 in California. We hope to take a large delegation from the Seattle Archdiocese and kick off a year-long preparation for WYD 2023. We’re currently looking for youth ministers who would like to head the delegation for NCYC West and WYD 2023. Please contact the youth ministry office if you are interested!

Focus Groups for the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan: Deanery meetings for youth ministers to provide input on the vision, mission, and core values of the archdiocesan pastoral plan will be scheduled for February. Results will be presented at the Spring Gathering on February 25th and representatives from each deanery will be invited to participate in a March focus group with staff from the strategic planning team and members of the pastoral council. Lisa Hillyard will begin scheduling meetings next week.

Youth and Young Adult Ministers Spring Gathering: Our Spring Gathering is scheduled for February 25, 2021. A Lent morning of reflection will be offered 9am-10:15am and the first work session for the gathering will start at 10:30am. Schedule and registration to follow shortly.

Suicide Prevention Certification/Youth Mental Health First Aid Training: Please contact the youth ministry office if you are interested in attending a Suicide Prevention Training or a Youth Mental Health First Aid training. A big thank you to our partners at Crisis Connection for providing these opportunities!

Middle School Encounter: The Middle School Encounter is scheduled for March 13, 2021. We will be offering this as a hybrid-event. Should circumstances require it, the MSE will be moved completely online. More information to follow.

Youth and Young Adult Ministers Annual Retreat:  The annual retreat is scheduled for May 27, 2021 and will be offered as a 9am-12pm online retreat as it was last year. Speaker to be announced soon.

Please contact the youth ministry office with any questions or for more information.

In Christ, Daria Lobato Youth Ministry Services

Youth Ministry Services ‌ ‌ Young Adult Ministry ‌ ‌