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 or come with your parents! Register by March 8th IGNITE 2019 Speakers! Bishop Rice Sponsored by: Noelle Garcia Maryann Mitts IGNITE 2019 Hosts! Tony Melendez Mary Black Alex Neumeier Office of Youth Formation / Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau 601 S Jefferson Ave., Springfield, MO 65806 www.dioscg.org // 417-866-0841 // lmelendez@dioscg.org // knewton@dioscg.org Individuals and Groups - Register Here: https://dioscg.formstack.com/forms/youth_conf_registration IGNITE 7th & 8th Grade Youth Conference
You Are Invited! Seventh and eighth grade students are invited to join us for this day-long conference as part of a group from their parish (or neighboring parish). If the parish is not sending a group, youth may attend with their parent(s). All youth must have a designated chaperone (or parent) attending the conference. Each person attending (youth, chaperones, parents) must be registered. Please scan here to register: or visit this website: https://dioscg.formstack.com/ forms/youth_conf_registration WELCOME! As the planning team for this inaugural IGNITE Conference, 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: When What: Ignite Youth Conference When: Saturday, March 30, 2019 10:00am-5:00pm (doors open at 9:45am) Where: The Theater at West Plains Civic Center Who: 7th & 8th Graders How Much: $25 early registration fee (postmarked by March 8th) $35 regular registration fee (postmarked after March 8th) Lunch and a t-shirt will be provided. Make checks payable to: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau Youth and chaperones attending the IGNITE Conference are not encouraged to spend the night in West Plains. Adults may not chaperone both IGNITE and DYC. IGNITE 2 7th & 8th Grade Youth Conference
PLANNING & REGISTRATION CHECKLIST Promote the event to all 7th and 8th grade youth (personally ask youth, hang posters, put it in your bulletin, post on social media). Be sure to personally invite those who don t attend other events. Distribute the promo flier (first page/front & back) to all 7th & 8th grade youth. 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 www.dioscg.org). 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. Youth not attending with a group must be accompanied by their parent. Parents accompanying ONLY their own child, are not required to complete a Virtus session. 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 IGNITE 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 https://dioscg.formstack.com/forms/youth_conf_registration. If you are having difficulty with registration, please contact the Office of Youth Formation for assistance. FEES TO TURN IN: $25 per person registration fee if postmarked by March 8th $35 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 22nd. The cancelation policy is as follows: Full refunds will be given on registrations if requested by March 8th. A partial refund of $10.00 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. Plan for adequate transportation. Remember, IGNITE attendees will travel separately from DYC attendees. Coordinate meal plans for your group if you will stop along the way to or from West Plains. Lunch on Saturday is provided. Conference Schedule (at a glance) SATURDAY, March 24 10:00 AM Arrive and Check-In West Entrance of Civic Center 10:30 AM Morning Prayer / Introductions / Music / Game 11:00 AM Session with Bishop Rice #1 in the Theater 12:00 PM Lunch (provided) 12:45 PM Session with Tony Melendez in the Theater 1:45 PM Session with Noelle Garcia in the Arena (top deck) 2:45 PM Session with Maryann Mitts in the Theater 4:00 PM Sunday Vigil Mass with Bishop Rice in the Theater 5:00 PM Depart for home. * We will have lots of other activities between the sessions, but we don t want to give our secrets away! Remember, even though this event is held at the same facility as the high school DYC, this is a separate event with a different schedule and activities. Attendees at IGNITE will not mix with attendees at DYC. IGNITE attendees may not share chaperones or transportation with DYC attendees. For more information, contact the Office of Youth Formation. IGNITE 3 7th & 8th Grade Youth Conference
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Bishop Edward M. Rice Maryann Mitts Bishop Edward Matthew Rice is the Seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. He was born July 28, 1960, in St. Louis, MO, one of the 10 children of the late John and Helen Rice. He graduated from St. Mary High school in south St. Louis and went to seminary at Kenrick School of Theology, also in St. Louis. Bishop Rice was ordained a priest on Jan. 3, 1987. As a priest, Bishop Rice served in several different capacities: he taught at St. Mary's High School in St. Louis, was assistant director and then director of Cardinal Glennon College seminary in St. Louis, served as pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in St. Louis, and as the Director of the Office of Vocations for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. On Dec. 1, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as an Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis. He was named as bishop of our diocese by Pope Francis on April 26, 2016 and installed on June 1, 2016. As our Bishop, he has traveled over 125,000 miles. That averages to 140 miles a day! He has visited every parish, mission, and Catholic school in our diocese at least once! Maryann Mitts is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at MSSU in Joplin, Missouri. Prior to that, she spent 17 years as the head coach of women s basketball at Rockhurst University and MSSU. She is the all-time wins leader in women s basketball history at Missouri Southern with 189 wins, 60 more than the next closest total. Dr. Mitts also serves as Campus Minister at Missouri Southern. She is an active member of her parish, St. Peter the Apostle in Joplin. Mitts, a two-sport All-American and two-time Scholastic All-American, played volleyball and basketball at Rockhurst. As a high school senior at St. Teresa s Academy, Mitts earned All-State recognition in basketball and volleyball. She was named St. Teresa s Academy Woman her senior year for outstanding leadership in academics and athletics as well as excellence in moral, ethical, and religious characteristics. A highly-requested public speaker, Dr. Mitts has delivered messages to Catholic youth connecting faith and sport at both the parish and diocesan levels. She has spoken at state, regional, and national conferences. Dr. Mitts is currently the Head Boys Basketball Coach at McAuley High School. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, ministering with her church family and traveling. IGNITE 4 7th & 8th Grade Youth Conference
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Noelle Garcia Tony Melendez 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 in God s image. 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 around the country to witness to God s love, particularly to those who struggle with knowing their worth in God s eyes. Tony was born without arms because his mother was prescribed thalidomide, a drug used to help calm morning sickness during her pregnancy. He wore artificial arms until he was ten, when he disposed of them. "I didn't feel comfortable," he explains, "I could use my feet so much more." Tony began playing the guitar and harmonica while in high school. It was during that time that he became deeply involved in the Catholic Church. "I went when I was a kid because my parents took me. I drifted away as I got a little older. Then I attended the high school youth group, made a lot of friends, and wound up changing my life in the process. 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 US 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! IGNITE 5 7th & 8th Grade Youth Conference
OUR LENTEN SERVICE PROJECT We will be collecting baby items to be donated to Birthright of Cape Girardeau as part of our conference! Each ignite 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! CODE OF BEHAVIOR FOR ALL YOUTH CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS Welcome to IGNITE, the Youth Conference for 7th and 8th grade youth! 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. We expect you to do that well by respecting the people and surroundings you encounter. 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. Be respectful and obey the directions given by any of the adults present. 3. Treat the Civic Center as if it was your own home. Do not throw anything from 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. 4. 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. 5. Participants who are of legal drinking age (21) are expected to be leaders and examples to younger attendees. Adult chaperones must refrain from drinking alcohol 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. Please keep in mind that the Civic Center is a smoke-free building. 7. 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, including while traveling to and from West Plains. Participants who violate the Code may be sent home, barred from attending future conferences, or face other consequences. All adult chaperones must also be in compliance with Diocesan Safe Environment Policies. IGNITE 6 7th & 8th Grade Youth Conference