2O19 Diocesan Youth Conference

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2O19 Diocesan Youth Conference March 29-31, 2O19 West Plains Civic Center All 9th-12th Graders are

Our 26th Year Join Bishop Rice and teens from across the diocese for a weekend to celebrate your

Sponsored by: Office of Youth Formation Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau 601 S Jefferson Ave.

org NEW ONLINE REGISTRATION THIS YEAR - each attendee should visit https://dioscg.formstack.

1 2O19 Diocesan Youth Conference March 29-31, 2O19 West Plains Civic Center All 9th-12th Graders are Invited! Our 26th Year Join Bishop Rice and teens from across the diocese for a weekend to celebrate your faith! DYC 2019 Keynote Speakers! Sponsored by: Office of Youth Formation Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau 601 S Jefferson Ave., Springfield, MO lmelendez@dioscg.org knewton@dioscg.org NEW ONLINE REGISTRATION THIS YEAR - each attendee should visit to register online. Contact your parish group leader for payment information. Noelle Garcia Michael Chiasson Contact for more information or to sign up! Register online by March 8th. Deposits are due at the parish on: DYC High School Youth Conference

WELCOME! As the planning team for this year s DYC, the youth from Nativity of our Lord Parish in Noel and St.

Conference At-A-Glance What: Diocesan Youth Conference What: When: March 29-31, 2019 Where: West Plains Civic Center Who: 9-12th Graders How Much: $60

food and lodging. Make checks payable to: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau NEW ONLINE REGISTRATION for EVERYONE!

Leaders will receive email notification when youth from their parish register. To register, scan the QR code, or visit: https://dioscg.formstack.

2 WELCOME! As the planning team for this year s DYC, the youth from Nativity of our Lord Parish in Noel and St. Mary Parish in Joplin are excited to see you all in West Plains! Conference At-A-Glance What: Diocesan Youth Conference What: When: March 29-31, 2019 Where: West Plains Civic Center Who: 9-12th Graders How Much: $60 early registration fee (postmarked by March 8th) $70 regular registration fee (postmarked after March 8th) Additional costs include transportation, food and lodging. Make checks payable to: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau NEW ONLINE REGISTRATION for EVERYONE! Each attendee (youth, chaperones, priests) must register online. Contact your parish group leader for payment information. Leaders will receive notification when youth from their parish register. To register, scan the QR code, or visit: forms/youth_conf_registration The Fun Starts Friday Night As people arrive and pick up registration packets on Friday evening (7:00-10:00pm), hang around and join our evening of activities: 7:00 Packet pick-up begins. Build creative piles of donated items for Birthright in front of the stage! 8:00 Pizza and Karaoke DYC 2 High School Youth Conference

in God s image. KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Noelle Garcia Noelle was born in Texas, but has lived in Colorado, Tennessee, Michigan, and now Dodge City, Kansas!

Her primary mission is to teach through her own testimony, that we are all wonderfully made Noelle uses music, story and prayer to share her witness of God s love through the midst of her struggle

Her husband, David, often travels with her as fellow musician and speaker. Noelle has two CD s with World Library Publications.

Noelle travels year round, speaking at parishes and conferences such as NCYC and Steubenville around the country to witness to God s love, particularly to those who struggle with knowing their worth

3 in God s image. KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Noelle Garcia Noelle was born in Texas, but has lived in Colorado, Tennessee, Michigan, and now Dodge City, Kansas! She has been speaking to youth and adults for over ten years. Her primary mission is to teach through her own testimony, that we are all wonderfully made Noelle uses music, story and prayer to share her witness of God s love through the midst of her struggle with depression and poor self-image and how that encounter with Christ radically changed her life. Her ministry is lived through her vocation as wife and mother to five beautiful children. Her husband, David, often travels with her as fellow musician and speaker. Noelle has two CD s with World Library Publications. She has been featured in CNN s Latino in America and EWTN s Life on the Rock. Noelle travels year round, speaking at parishes and conferences such as NCYC and Steubenville around the country to witness to God s love, particularly to those who struggle with knowing their worth in God s eyes. Michael Chiasson Michael is a Catholic speaker, musician, television host and writer who has been inspiring people for over 20 years. He has been one of the top communicators for students across Canada and the United States. Using his experiences and proven practical strategies, Michael partners with organizations that want to help their leaders and team members make the greatest impact. As the founder of The Chiasson Group and a Canadian registered charity (Access 52), he exudes an unparalleled passion for helping others on and offstage. It is more than a career, it is his life s work. Michael is from Houston, TX where he served in youth ministry and worked with Catholic SHINE Work Camp. He now lives in Calgary with his wife and children. Bishop F.B. Henry, Bishop-Emeritus of the Diocese of Calgary, says, "Michael is a gift from God and has been a very positive influence deepening the faith of so many of our youth." Tony Melendez Born without arms, Tony became a gifted musician learning to play the guitar with his feet. Tony had the opportunity to give an unforgettable performance for Pope St. John Paul II in 1987 which catapulted him in to an international music ministry. He has since traveled all across the United States and to forty-four foreign countries sharing his music and story of faith. The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau has been blessed that Tony, his wife Lynn, and their two children have called Branson home for many years! musicians The House Band Once again, music throughout the weekend will be provided by our own home-grown band made up of parishioners from St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Cape Girardeau, St. Augustine Parish in Kelso, St. John Parish in Leopold, and maybe a few others! DYC 3 High School Youth Conference

Conference Schedule (at a glance) FRIDAY, March 29 7:00 PM Packet Pick-up at WCC 7:00 PM Pizza Party and Service Project 10:00 PM Travel to Hotel 12:00 AM Lights Out SATURDAY, March 30 8:30 AM Mass

4 Conference Schedule (at a glance) FRIDAY, March 29 7:00 PM Packet Pick-up at WCC 7:00 PM Pizza Party and Service Project 10:00 PM Travel to Hotel 12:00 AM Lights Out SATURDAY, March 30 8:30 AM Mass (Bishop Rice, Celebrant) 10:00 AM Welcome and Icebreaker 10:15 AM General Session 11:00 AM Small Group Activities 11:45 AM Workshops Round I 12:45 PM Lunch (provided) 1:45 PM General Session: 2:30 PM Small Group Discussion 2:50 PM Girls/Guys Session 5:00 PM Large Group Discussion in Arena 5:30 PM Dinner Break (on your own) 7:45 PM Main Event / Games 9:30 PM Praise and Worship Music 9:40 PM Youth Witness Talks 10:00 PM Adoration and Procession 11:00 PM Travel to Hotel 12:00 AM Lights-out at Hotel SUNDAY, March 31 9:00 AM Prayer 9:30 AM Answering Your Texted Questions 10:00 AM General Session 11:15 AM National Dialogue Discussion 12:00 PM Mass (Bishop Rice, Celebrant) 1:00 PM Pick Up Box Lunches to Go PLAN AHEAD FRIDAY SERVICE PROJECT On Friday evening, as parishes are checking in and picking up packets, all are invited to stay for pizza, music and games. We will also be collecting, sorting and stacking items to be donated to Birthright of Cape Girardeau. Each DYC participant is invited to bring 1-2 baby items (Enfamil Infant or Gentlease formula, diapers (especially size 5), 15 oz baby lotions, 15 oz baby wash, onsies, sleepers, bottle brushes, 4oz bottles, board books, etc.) or something for the mom (new maternity clothes, nursing pads, feminine products, personal care items, etc.). If a parish would like to go together to purchase one big-ticket item (pack-n-play or transitional car seat) it would be greatly appreciated, too. This project will tie in to Bishop Rice s Lenten Mission to financially support mothers and babies as they celebrate their new life! ADOPT A SEMINARIAN Once again, we have invited our diocesan seminarians to join us for DYC! They will be hanging out at the Pizza Party Friday night and would be thrilled to join you and your youth group for dinner Saturday night. If your youth group would like to adopt a seminarian for Saturday night dinner, please contact the Office of Youth Ministry. First priority will be given to those youth groups that did NOT adopt a seminarian last year. DYC 4 High School Youth Conference

5 PLAN AHEAD The Hanging Banner Bring your DYC attendees together before the conference to have a Banner Making Party! Construct a banner that will hang all weekend long in the Civic Center using cloth, glue, colors, a pole, stand, and rope. Your parish will convey your understanding of our conference theme, Come to Me. The banner should include your parish and city. The dimensions of your banner should be no larger than 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. We will carry the banners in the opening procession for Mass on Saturday. Remember that you need to bring the materials (pole, stand, rope, etc.) to ensure that your banner can stand on its own! LOTERIA / BINGO / ADORATION / JESUS / GAGA BALL / JENGA / FOOSBALL / CHESS SATURDAY NIGHT EVENTS You won t want to miss this year s Saturday Night Events! We will have a Loteria / Bingo game in the main space, with plenty of other activities and games in the other spaces of the arena. We will finish the night with Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. LOTERIA / BINGO / ADORATION / JESUS / GAGA BALL / JENGA / FOOSBALL / CHESS DYC 5 High School Youth Conference

6 Workshops Please choose 2 workshops. Each workshop will be offered twice unless otherwise noted. 1) Taking it to the Streets How can we share about our relationship with God and our Catholic faith with friends and others we meet in our schools, activities, and work places? How do we defend our Catholic faith without getting into a battle? Speaker: St. Paul Street Evangelists :: St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE) is dedicated to responding to the mandate of Jesus to preach the Gospel to all nations by taking the Catholic Faith to the streets. They train teams to evangelize on-the-street as an avenue for people to share the Person of Jesus Christ and the truth and beauty of the Catholic Faith with a hungry culture. 2) Digital Disciple What type of digital footprint are you leaving? What do people see or know about you through your use of social media and texting? How do we decide what to post or not post? How can we be more intentional about helping God make a footprint through our social media? Speaker: Michael Chiasson, one of our keynote speakers. 3) Vices and Virtues on the Path to Jesus Jesus is standing with arms open wide. What are the 7 deadly sins that keep us from coming to Jesus? What are the virtues we can practice to replace those sins and help us to walk toward Jesus? Speaker: Fr. Joe Weidenbenner :: Fr. Joe is the pastor of St. Mary Parish in Joplin. He was ordained in 2007 and has served at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Springfield, St. Augustine Parish in Kelso, and St. Joseph Parish in Scott City. 4) Do We Need a Religion to Have a Relationship with Jesus? Is religion important? How does our Catholic faith, the Mass, the Sacraments, and traditions bring us closer to Jesus? Speaker: Brother John-Marmion Villa :: A California native, Br. John-Marmion joined the Brothers and Sisters of Charity after working with the National Evangelization Team (NET). He has spoken across the country about his love for Jesus and being Catholic, bringing his gift of music wherever he goes. Living now with the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion, Br. John-Marmion is often found managing bakery affairs or running live sound at concerts for John Michael Talbot, the founder of the Community. In his spare time, he enjoys movies, Netflix, and reading. 5) LGBT - A Catholic Perspective What does Scripture and the Church teach about those who profess transgender identity or those who may be participating in gay/lesbian relationships? How do we respond and reach out to loved ones living those life styles? Speakers: Hudson Byblow and Fr. J Friedel :: Hudson Byblow is an author, speaker, and consultant who presents in a captivating and personalized manner, unifying audiences of all types and ages. He is a professional educator and long-time sports official. He is featured on the YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body program from Ascension Press. Hudson addresses some of the most difficult topics facing the Catholic Church today. Fr. J. Friedel is the pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Joplin, St. Ann Parish in Carthage, and Sacred Heart Parish in Webb City. He is also the Director of Catholic Campus Ministry in Joplin. Fr. J. was ordained a priest in 1986 and has served in several parishes in addition to serving as the previous Director of Vocations. 6) Answering the Call from God This is a panel discussion with questions and answers about how people answered God s invitation to come to him, through their vocations. This presentation will be during Round One only and is open to everyone. Vocation Panel of Speakers: Bishop Rice, Fr. Vincent Au (religious order priest), seminarian, religious sister, married couple 7) Keeping the Faith Beyond High School How do we keep our faith alive when we leave high school? How can we call on Jesus and recognize his guidance when we need help discerning important paths for our life? This presentation will be during Round Two only and is open to Juniors and Seniors only. Speakers: Deacon Tom Schumer, Jen Velten, Focus Missionary :: Deacon Tom Schumer is a permanent deacon in Cape Girardeau. He is the director of Catholic Campus Ministry at SEMO. Jen Velton is a recent college graduate from Pierce City, was a leader at Catholic Campus Ministry in Springfield and is a first year teacher in Lebanon. DYC 6 High School Youth Conference

7 Hotel / Address / Phone Baymont Inn (formerly Holiday Express): 1605 Imperial Drive (Behind Shoney's on Porter Wagoner/Bus. 63), Hampton Inn: 1064 London Lane, New hotel opened Aug HOTELS HOTELS March 29-31, 2019 Rate (per room, per night, plus tax) $99.00 up to 4 people in a room. Mention Catholic Youth Conference for rate. $ up to 4 people in a room. Mention Catholic Youth Conference for rate. Breakfast Hot breakfast buffet Hot breakfast buffet Notes 100% non-smoking hotel. Make reservations online for special rate. Use Code: CYC 100% non-smoking hotel. Holiday Inn Express & Suites: (across from Walmart) 1301 Preacher Roe Blvd., Quality Inn: 220 US Hwy. 63, $ up to 4 people in a room. $89.00 for one bed, $ beds Hot breakfast buffet New hotel opened Dec Hot breakfast buffet Super 8: 1210 Porter Wagoner Blvd, Jct of Bus Rte 63 and CC Hwy, $74.99 for one bed, $82.00 for two beds. Continental breakfast Ask for Charlotte for rate. Property was renovated in *Reservations must be made by the group leader, directly with each property, and you must mention the Catholic Youth Conference for the hotels offering a discount. Register early and try to put four people in each room so that there will be enough space for everyone. In most cases, the hotel will ask for a 6 p.m. arrival time, or they will need a deposit to hold the rooms. Be prepared to secure your hotel rooms with a credit card and bring a tax-exempt letter from your parish. There is a local occupancy tax in West Plains, from which we are not exempt, but the letter may keep you from paying the other taxes on rooms. Please remember that youth and adults may not share the same room. HOTEL HALL MONITORS: Unless you have outside-facing rooms, your parish needs to bring at least one adult NOT ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE to do hall duty each night you are in your hotel, checking the halls and securing rooms from one hour prior to lights out until 4 a.m. Their job is to make sure youth are where they are supposed to be and that they are quiet at lights-out time. Serious infractions are to be reported to Lynn or Katie, and should include the youth s name and parish information. Those with hall duty have the responsibility to make sure parish groups (and other guests) have a good night in the hotels. Those in outside-facing rooms will still be responsible to ensure youth stay in their rooms through the night. If your hall monitor is not attending the conference, you do not need to register or pay for him or her, and they are invited to join us for Sunday Mass. If, however, they are doing double duty as a chaperone and hall monitor (which we do not recommend), you will need to register and pay for him or her. Hall monitors must be in compliance with diocesan Safe Environment policies. Please include his or her name on the registration form, noting his or her role as hall monitor. DRESS CODE must follow diocese guidelines for this conference (at least credit card wide straps or shoulders covered, no low cut tops or dresses, stomachs covered and dress and shorts to be to mid thigh past finger-tips). DYC 7 High School Youth Conference

8 CODE OF BEHAVIOR FOR ALL YOUTH CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS Welcome to the Diocesan Youth Conference! Please offer your appreciation to the people of West Plains for the welcome they offer us. Remember you are representing your parish and the Catholic Church here this weekend. We expect you to do that well by respecting the people and surroundings you encounter, especially at the hotels. We are confident you will display the maturity, responsible leadership, and character that have become the trademark qualities of Catholic youth. Thank you! In General: Group leaders are responsible for the actions of the members of their group. Each parish accepts full responsibility for any damage or theft caused by members of their group while attending the conference. Adult chaperones in each group are to enforce the Code of Behavior (the Code) and to set an example for all youth. Some Rules: 1. Dress modestly; at least credit card wide straps or shoulders covered, no low cut tops or dresses, no muscle shirts, stomachs covered, no short dress or shorts (no private parts showing when you touch your toes). 2. Treat your hotel and the Civic Center as if they were your own home. Do not throw anything from windows or balconies, deface any property, or steal anything. Such actions could not only cause harm, but they also could result in your being sent home immediately and your group being barred from the hotel in future years. 3. Participants must attend all conference activities and stay in the Civic Center at all times. Name badges must be worn at all times in order to gain admission to conference events. 4. Socializing prior to curfew should be done in the public areas of the hotel. Remember to keep noise levels down in the sleeping areas, especially later in the evenings. This guarantees the right to privacy and quiet time for fellow conference attendees and other guests in the hotels. All participants must be in their hotel rooms by curfew (and stay in their rooms) on each night of the conference. You should never be in a hotel room that is not yours, unless there is an adult present. 5. Participants who are of legal drinking age (21) are expected to be leaders and examples to younger attendees. All parish adult chaperones are asked to refrain from drinking while they are responsible for youth on the way to and from, as well as during, the conference. The purchase, possession, or consumption of beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages by minors and the possession or use of illegal drugs by any individual will not be tolerated. Failure to comply with these rules will mean immediate dismissal from the conference. 6. Sleeping room changes are to be made by the group leader only. Youth cannot change rooms without prior permission of their group leader. 7. All sessions of the conference will start on time. Some sessions require that the doors be kept closed for all or part of the session. To prevent being excluded from any session, be on time. When exiting workshops, please keep noise to a minimum so that other workshops still in session will not be disturbed. Please keep in mind that the Civic Center is a smoke-free building. 8. Youth and adult participants must not be in possession of any kind of weapon at any time. Failure to comply with this rule will mean dismissal from the conference. All youth and adult participants are expected to read and know this Code of Behavior and abide by it at all times during the conference, before it begins on Friday, and on the way home Sunday. Participants who violate the Code may be sent home, barred from attending future conferences, or face other consequences. DYC 8 High School Youth Conference

9 Planning & Registration CHECKLIST Promote the event to all high school youth (personally ask youth, hang posters, put in your bulletin, post through social media). Be sure to invite those who don t attend other events. Distribute the promo flier (first page) and workshop descriptions to all high school youth (9th-12th grade). Book and confirm hotel rooms for your group early. Fundraise as necessary. Individuals may apply for a Youth Endowment Grant if assistance is needed. Click here for the grant application (or visit the Youth Ministry page at Application deadline is March 1st. Meet the chaperone to youth ratio (1 adult per 6 youth), minimum of 2 adults per group. Chaperones must be 21 or older. All adults 18 years of age and older (who are not in high school) must be compliant with the diocesan Safe Environment policies. Remember: Adults MAY NOT chaperone youth attending BOTH IGNITE and DYC. These events are separate and are held in different parts of the West Plains Civic Center. Each group must have their own chaperones and transportation. We strongly encourage IGNITE participants to NOT spend the night in West Plains as hotel space is limited. Have attendees enter all registrations online and have fees postmarked & in the mail by Friday, MARCH 8th. This will ensure your spot at the 2019 Diocesan Youth Conference and avoid late fees. Don t delay, register today! (You can also hand-deliver payment to us on Monday, March 11th). Checks should be made payable to Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Full payment is due March 8th. ALL REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MADE ONLINE at If you are having difficulty with registration, please contact the Office of Youth Formation for assistance. Youth leaders will receive notification when youth from their parish register. FEES TO TURN IN: $60 per person registration fee if postmarked by March 8th. $70 late registration fee if postmarked after March 8th. (Registrations made after March 8th are not guaranteed to receive a t-shirt.) Substitutions must be called into the office AND entered online by Friday, March 20th. The cancelation policy is as follows: Full refunds will be given on registrations if requested by March 8th. A partial refund of $15.00 will be given if requested by March 15th. No refunds will be given if requested after the 15th or for acts of God (like blizzards, tornadoes, etc.) that could prevent any or all of the event from taking place. Have a pre-conference meeting with participants and parents. Go over all the information with parents and allow them to ask questions. Contact the Office of Youth Formation if you need help answering questions. (This is a good opportunity for your group to make the parish banner.). Prepare a banner with your group. Plan your Main Event Game Teams. Adopt a seminarian, if desired. Gather your Birthright donation items for our Friday night service opportunity. Plan for adequate transportation. Remember DYC attendees must travel separately from IGNITE attendees. Coordinate meal plans for your group. Bring a cooler with drinks and snacks for your group at the hotel. Lunch on both Saturday and Sunday are provided. DYC 9 High School Youth Conference

10 Parish attendee List Parish Name: For use by Parish Group Leaders. Use as needed, this does not get turned in any where. Youth Attendee Cell Phone Grade Registered 1 Online? $$ Received / Date Notes Adult Attendee Cell Phone Registered Online? $$ Received / Date Safe Environment Compliant? Notes DYC 10 High School Youth Conference

2O19 IGNITE Youth Conference

DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD - CAPE GIRARDEAU 2O19 IGNITE Youth Conference for 7th & 8th Graders! One Day! Saturday, March 30, 2019 10am-5pm West Plains Theater at the Civic Center Come with your parish group