Well, let me tell you!
I spent a week (August 11-15th) in Belleville, Illinois at the Institute in Adolescent Catechesis presented by the Center for Ministry Development. The conference was held at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine. It was a beautiful setting for the conference and provided many devotional areas as well.
The conference was a gathering of about 50 people from Directors of Religious Education to Youth Ministers to Diocesan members. There were speakers, small group discussions, activities and time for prayer and reflection.
I come back from this experience rejuvenated and hopeful. It was encouraging to be in community with other Catholic people who are passionate about empowering youth to live as disciples for Christ and embrace and know their rich, Catholic faith!
One message I brought back from this conference was the idea that the ideal youth ministry is one that takes advantage of its community. This means that the living faith that is present within our adult community should be organized and empowered in such a way that our faith is accessible to our youth. We invite the youth into this community and empower them to become leaders and disciples for Jesus Christ.
This was a great week for me full of thinking and dreaming and prayer. I am grateful for the opportunity to experience a conference like this. If you would like to know more, please ask. I would like to talk about it with you!
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