Plans underway for National Catholic Youth Conference

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Nov. 16, 2006

Although the next National Catholic Youth Conference is about a year away, plans are presently in the works for diocesan youth groups that plan to make the pilgrimage of faith.

The national conference is slated for Nov. 8-11 in Columbus, Ohio.

According to Jessica La Fleur, diocesan director of youth ministry, last month she received estimates on the number of participants from diocesan parishes in order to reserve accommodations in one hotel or motel. Between high school youth and adults, she reserved space for about 200 people.

"There is a lottery system for every diocese in the United States in regards to the order in which they can choose the hotel. We got the No. 1 choice in the whole country," she noted. "We got our No. 1 choice of a hotel so that is great because we've never had a hotel that has breakfast offered."

La Fleur selected accommodations that not only have hot breakfast included, but the facility offered other pluses such as a meeting space. In addition to the amenities, the hotel she selected was reasonably priced.

The diocese has also reserved four charter busses.

The group from the diocese will join about 23,000 others from across the United States as they attend educational workshops, listen to inspirational keynote addresses and take part in moving prayer services all designed to help them Discover the Way, which is the theme of the event.

La Fleur, who has attended NCYC three times, pointed out that for students who have attended the Diocesan Youth Rally, they would have an idea of what NCYC is all about but the national gathering is longer and on a much bigger scale.

"It is neat for the kids to connect with kids from other parts of the United States who all have something in common - their Catholic faith," she said.

It has become a tradition at NCYC for youth to bring items that they can exchange with other teens from across the country - prayer cards, bracelets, T-shirts, hats, cross necklaces and more. They use this as a means to meet other youth.

She described the prayer experiences at NCYC as multi-dimensional as the conference features adoration, daily Mass, and opportunities for reconciliation, Scripture, witness and more.

Groups and individuals from the Diocese of Sioux City who plan to attend NCYC make their arrangements through the diocesan youth ministry office. So far about 12 parishes and/or clusters have reserved space.

When La Fleur reserved space, she padded it somewhat because she is anticipating that a few small parish groups or individuals will decide this is something they wish to attend.

"At the diocesan youth rally, we showed an NCYC promotional video and I received a lot of positive feedback from that," she said.

The first deposit is due Dec. 15, which is $75 per person. La Fleur mentioned that sometimes parish youth groups will opt to send in the deposit for a block of space even prior to having a list of registered individuals just to ensure that a certain number of students may attend.

If a student is interested in attending NCYC, La Fleur recommended that they first ask in their parish if there is a group going to the conference. Adults who are interested in taking a youth group or if students are having difficulty finding a local contact person, they are asked to call La Fleur at (712) 233-7561.

For parishes who plan to send youth groups, she recommended that fundraising efforts start now.