DIOCESAN YOUTH COUNCIL MTG. NOTES
Sunday, April 20, 2008 -  OLC, Merrillville

PRESENT: Antone Jr., Arand, Britt, Byers, Coduti, Crozier, Driscoll, Ellingsen, Ernster, Esposito, Fink, Gratt, Hannigan, Kalita, Kern, Landers, Lopez, Martinez, Molik, Novak, Perhach, Quinn, Rossi, Sluce, Wilson

NOT PRESENT (excused): Curtin, Edquist, Gaines, Bonta, Sobocinski

NOT PRESENT (unexcused): Bakko, Dutcher, Furdeck, Gatewood, Gonzales, Harold, Harstad, Powers, Sech

1. Opening Prayer: praying for Pope Benedict XVI.
- Two of our excused absences have a GREAT excuse: they’re in New York seeing the Pope! (Nate Edquist & Jennifer Curtain) Another is getting a leadership award (Bonta), and Gaines & Sobocinski are in Grease!

2. Welcome new reps
- We welcomed to the Council Hopey Fink (St. Teresa of Avila/Valparaiso), Jeff Gratt (Nativity of Our Savior/Portage), Aimee Perhach (St. John the Baptist/Whiting), and Michelle Ross (Holy Spirit/Winfield). Starting in May, Kev waves the “2 reps per parish” rule for the summer, so if you have new reps coming on next academic year, they may start and serve alongside outgoing reps during CYX season.

3. Whatcha been up to?: Parish Reports
- Reps delivered reports on a wide variety of programs and events at their youth ministry pgms.

4. Report on Leadership Symposium
- Kev expressed his appreciation for those reps who represented youth very well at this diocesan event. He also expressed disappointment at reps who did not return the postage-paid reply card. Mike Byers and Rachel Hannigan delivered reports on the two symposium topics.

5. Report on TAPT XX
- Josh Kalita and Michelle Ross gave wonderful testimonies to the TAPT XX experience. Kev thanked all reps that served- and were willing to serve- on the leadership team. He also commented that there will be a 20th Anniversary Reunion day at Camp Lawrence June 1st. Details will be mailed to former TAPTsters.

6. TAPT XX “Risky-Safe” Questions
- DYC reps worked in groups to review, revise, and create questions used in an important small group activity that is part of the diocesan TAPT retreat. Spokespersons then addressed key points and observations from their group work.

8. Laying the groundwork: CYX Committee Work!

- Reps broke into the four committees listed below and began to establish a game plan for May, June, & July meetings (see notes in boxes below). Kev noted: reps should choose one primary committee, but the work must get done, and therefore some reps may crossover when needed.

Behind-the-Scenes

- Environment: Australia!
- Friday Opening Mass parts
- Petition writing
- Signage: LS locations, sidewalk chalk & dorm signs
- Anything else? Something OATS-like?
+++++++++++
Emphasis in April/May on environment. Committee will continue to discuss in May.

Rules Skit

- 8-10 minute rules skit
- Might be somewhat WYD-related: Australia, Pope, etc.
++++++++++++++
- Committee had some initial brainstorming and was given a copy of the rules. They surfaced some ideas surrounding a “Baywatch” theme. Pray for them. HARD.

 

Sunday Gen. Session Opening Prayer

- Produce and perform “Ragman” play.
- Determine how it is read, performed, etc.
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- Committee was given copies of “Ragman.” In May they will begin to think about how it will be performed, assign parts, etc.

 

Australian Correspondents

- 1-2 reporters “live” on the scene in Sydney, Australia
- During weekend, Pepe will check in with our WYD Correspondent(s) who will pass along WYD reports.
+++++++++++++
- Committee is maxed-out. No new members will be accepted. Met and shared some ideas about the project. Should come to May mtg having researched WYD facts!

7. Misc. announcements:
- Kev reminded reps that he can draft recommendation letters, service hours, scholarship recommendations, etc. Colleges like seeing religious leadership on applications!

8.  Mark Your Calendars
- April 25-27: Source & Summit Retreat (presented by St. John the Evangelist, St. John), Andrean High School
- Sunday, May 18: DYC Mtg. & Senior Appreciation, 1-4pm, OLC
- Sunday, June 1: TAPT 20th Anniversary Celebration
- Sunday, June 15: DYC Mtg., 1-4pm, St. Teresa of Avila, Valpo
- Sunday, June 29: DYC Mtg., 1-4, Neils Science Ctr., Valpo U.*
* Note the change in date & location!
- Saturday, July 12: DYC Mtg., 10am – 2pm, St. Teresa of Avila, Valpo
- Thursday, July 17: CYX Setup Day, 10-5 (no overnight this year)*
- July 18-20: Catholic Youth Xperience 2008, St. Teresa of Avila & Valparaiso U. (reps report @ 9am) 

* Kev explained reason for no early check-in this year. Simply put, Kev and Carole cannot chaperone alone. Too many things going on for Kev to be chaperone, and there were some alleged problems last year. It has been offered as a chance to save parents some gas, NOT as a DYC party. Kev hasn’t said ABSOLUTELY no, but unless there are other adults willing to check in early and chaperone, as it stands now, no.