Reflecting on Four Years of the Diocesan Youth Council
by Kevin Driscoll

What does Leap Day mean for you? For me it will always remind me of the re-launch of the Diocese of Gary Diocesan Youth Council on the last February 29th, in 2004.

I didn’t think anyone would remember, but sure enough when I arrived in my office on the four year anniversary, there was a voice mail from two former reps who remain friends today, Vicky Hathaway and Carrie Shelhart, former reps from St. Edward (Lowell), now students and soon-to-be roommates at Marian College in Indianapolis. "Happy Four Year Anniversary!"

They, along with about twenty five others, were there for that first meeting in the basement of the old St. Michael church building in Schererville, designated by their youth ministry leader after about three months of recruiting by the diocesan coordinator of youth ministry!

Diocesan Youth Councils are fairly common around the country. I represented St. Anne (Oswego, IL) for the Diocese of Joliet from 1989-1991. I co-facilitated a Council in the Diocese of Palm Beach while I was there from 1999-2003. And, as Frank Zolvinski, Diocesan Coordinator of Religious Formation, tells me, the Diocese of Gary had one that disbanded around 1999. It was one of the casualties when the diocesan office of youth ministry went part time from 1998-2003.

When I started in June of 2003, I had every intention of starting the DYC back up again in a year or so. Then we held our annual Diocesan World Youth Day Rally in early November. While those rallies were once very well-attended, participation by high schoolers had dropped off significantly in the early 00’s. The 2003 rally was attended by just fifty high schoolers, with 21 of those coming from just two youth ministry programs. (I later calculated that the diocese had spent over $300 per high school youth on that event, while charging only $15 per person!) The very next week after that rally I decided to re-launch the DYC a little sooner than planned.

In the months prior to that Leap Day meeting, we received the Bishop’s approval for the inaugural Catholic Youth Xperience that next summer. I knew that if we were going to garner support for CYX, much of the enthusiasm could only come through getting a representative group of teen leaders truly invested in the project.

That first Leap Day meeting included a lot of “getting to know you” discussion. I outlined the vision of the DYC, and reminded the teens that the goal of DYC is not to be a separate ministry, but rather to be a two-way street of information to and from parish/school and diocese, to assist in doing better ministry with high school teens. The teens also were engaged in a spirited discussion about the advantages and challenges of youth ministry at their parish/school and at the diocesan level, and did a self-assessment of their own leadership skills. And toward the end of the meeting I introduced them to this crazy idea of doing a three day event—in the summer!—at a college campus where they would learn about and celebrate their faith, meet others, hear great speakers and great music, blah blah blah, and that they would play a big role in it.

In the four years since that first meeting, the DYC has accomplished much. I have watched many teens come and go, all contributing their unique gifts to the Body. The Council has, in that time, accomplished much. Some highlights:

∙ Performed key roles at CYX, including hospitality, rules and theme skits, environment, Rosaries (’04 and ’07), various prayer services, community building exercises, small group facilitation, and countless other tasks.

∙ Provided written assessment of the advantages and challenges of parish and diocesan youth ministry (2004).

∙ Participated in a thorough group-consensus Christian leadership project that culminated in the “Top 10 Issues Facing Youth” document (2005).

∙ Participated in a needs assessment planning process for the ministries they represent (2005).

∙ Participated in a four month process that included formation meetings and an overnight seminar on youth evangelization and culminated in the “DYC Statement on Youth Evangelization" (’06-’07).

∙ Many reps also took leadership roles in other diocesan efforts, including the Day of Atonement (2004), Eucharist Day celebration (2005), Future Full of Hope (’06-’07), the diocesan 50th Anniversary celebration (2007), and the Diocesan Lay Council (2006-present).

These are merely highlights, of course, and do not begin to acknowledge the countless times that reps have done their job promoting diocesan activities to their peers, and bringing their own ministry events and ideas back to the Council.

That first Council includes two who still play big roles in CYX, an airman stationed in Germany, at least one got married, a few more have helped volunteer for youth events, many have traveled away for college, and many others have checked in periodically over the years to share various stories.

In spite of my continued efforts to remind the reps that the DYC is not a separate youth group and that ultimately they are there first and foremost to represent their own ministries, inevitably some great community has taken place on the Council. Friendships have been made through the Council that remain beyond high school (Facebook makes the world a smaller place), and some former reps continue to drop by meetings to say hello. While we have done some terrific projects to help form good Catholic Christian leaders, we have had some fun along the way, no more evident than at our White Elephant Gift Exchange each Christmas (ask your reps about it!).

So as I wax nostalgic on this Leap Day, allow me to thank everyone who has played a part in helping build your Diocesan Youth Council, especially if you are an adult leader who has nominated teens in the last four years. Special thanks also to Mrs. Carole Sluce, our DYC Liaison, who has given so much to the Council in these four years.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t use this opportunity to reach out to those parishes and ministries who are not represented! All info about putting your two teens on the Council can be found at the “Youth Council” link on the website, or give me a call.

DIOCESE OF GARY OYYA