Last month the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Department for Vocational Services hosted two events for young people: Diocesan Youth Days and the Diocesan Youth Conference. 

Diocesan Youth Days took place from Nov. 6-10 and were hosted in different regions of the diocese, said Kyle Holtgrave, associate director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry. A total of 424 middle and high school students attended the Youth Days, which are meant to continue to build on St. John Paul’s vision of celebrating the young church.

“The goal for the event is to continue forming disciples of Jesus Christ,” Holtgrave said. “The participants are invited to embrace their role as young disciples by meeting new people, trying new activities and being more aware of the needs of the people around them. … By the end of the day, everyone is challenged to continue growing in relationship with each other and with Christ.”

This year’s keynote was Rich Curran of Parish Success Group. He led the groups in activities and discussions that helped younger adolescents focus on their relationship with Jesus. Holtgrave said the students practiced some skills and behaviors of a disciple that they have been learning in school, PSR classes and at home.

The Diocesan Youth Conference, an overnight retreat/rally for high school youth, was held Nov. 11-12 at Lake Williamson Christian Conference Center in Carlinville. The event includes icebreaker activities, prayer, lively music and a witness talk that Holtgrave said, “challenges teens to live their lives more closely to Jesus Christ.” Over the weekend the youth also have options for breakout sessions on topics that important to them, followed by small group sharing. The event concluded with Mass.

The music and witness were led by Lee Roessler, a Christian singer/songwriter from Kentucky whose music has been featured at Catholic HEART Workcamp, among other places. In all, 62 youth and adult chaperones were on hand from a dozen diocesan parishes.

The next big event for diocesan youth and their leaders will be the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois March for Life trip to Washington, D.C., which will take place Jan. 25 through Jan. 29.