Youth Day Collection and Evaluations
Thank you very much for the generous contributions you and your young people made to the Youth Day collection. We received over $11,300 to help young people, both here in the Archdiocese and nationwide, to attend leadership programs. We are very grateful of the continued response to this request. It is because of your great work that we are able to help so many young people. Please don’t forget that Youth Day EVALUATIONS are due today. Please have your young people fill them out – or do it yourself and send them to us as soon as possible. Thank you very much! you
Youth Ministry E-VINE (March 25, 2010)
Thank you for Youth Day 2010 and Evaluations
Thank you to everyone that supported Youth Day 2010! I’m Just Sayin’ it was a great day. Thank you for making the effort to bring over 15,000 young people and adults to Anaheim for this event. It would NOT be possible without you! Please make sure you fill out the EVALUATIONS and mail them back to us! We do listen to your suggestions and try hard to incorporate them into our day! It looks like the support for our collection has matched last year's (and the year before). We hope to have final details on that in the next E-VINE. Thanks for supporting scholarship programs for young people. Just a heads up – Youth Day 2011 will be on Thursday, March 17 and the Religious Education Congress will be March 18-20! Mark your calendars now!
Youth Ministry E-VINE (March 17, 2010)
Youth Day 2010/Religious Education Congress
Youth Day 2010 is HERE! Just a few reminders for our day and the rest of the Religious Education Congress. We will be recycling old cell phones at Youth Day and Congress to raise money for relief to earthquake victims. Please be generous. Just a reminder that we are taking a collection at all the Youth Day Masses. This money will help young people have scholarships to leadership programs both locally and nationally. Please tell your friends that cannot come to Congress that all the Arena events of Friday AND the Sunday afternoon Closing Liturgy will be streamed live at our website. Tell them to check it out at www.recongress.org/LIVE! PLEASE remember there is no saving of seats at Youth Day.
SPECIAL Thank you to Youth Day Coordinating Team
The Youth Ministry Team and the staff of the Office of Religious Education would like to thank all of the NUMEROUS adult and youth volunteers that have made Youth Day possible this year. We’d especially like to thank the members of the Youth Day Coordinating Team for all of their hard work. Please be generous and thank all of those hard workers tomorrow at Youth Day!
Office of Religious Education Booth at Congress
If you are staying for all of the Religious Education Congress please drop by the NEW and IMPROVED Office of Religious Education Booth. Margaret Sardo and a team of other workers have turned this booth into a wonderful oasis in the middle of the Exhibit Area. Also, you’ll learn a lot about upcoming events of our office. Check out the back of the Congress Program Book for times that the Youth Ministry Team will be in the booth and then make plans to come visit us!
Youth Ministry E-VINE (March 11, 2010)
Youth Day/Congress Information
YOUTH DAY: Please know that we emailed a CHANGE in the bus parking information to all CONTACT PEOPLE that registered for Youth Day 2010. If you are bringing a bus to Youth Day and did not receive that email please know that you will receive a hard copy in the mail, but I’ve also attached the information to this E-VINE. Everyone should please note that ALL BUSES MUST PARK in the Buzz Lightyear Parking Lot across Harbor Blvd. from the Clarion Hotel. We will have traffic control officers that morning to help you into that lot. REMEMBER that parking is $20 per bus. Please contact your bus company with this information. Please remember that you can download the theme song for Youth Day for free at our website: www.recongress.org/YD.
CONGRESS: We emailed everyone that registered for the Mike Patin day-long retreat at the Religious Education Congress to be held on Friday, March 19. If you did not receive that email (and are registered for the day) please contact Mike Norman as soon as possible. I also wanted to let everyone know that the orphanage in Cambodia that I have volunteered with for the past two years will have a booth at Congress. You can drop by and see why I have gone to volunteer – mainly because of the great youth! This booth will also be selling quilts made by women living with HIV/AIDS in Cambodia. Please stop by to check out the New Hope for Cambodian Children booth! Check your program book for the location. Tell them Mike Norman sent you!
SPECIAL Youth Ministry E-VINE (March 3, 2010)
FREE Download of the Youth Day 2010 Theme Song
Courtesy of World Library Publications, you can now download the Youth Day 2010 Theme Song from the Youth Day website. Just visit http://www.RECongress.org/YD to download the song. Just look for the picture of John Angotti – the great artist that wrote the song and will be performing it at Youth Day. We say a very special thanks to World Library Publications (and Lisa Bagladi) for making this free download possible.
Youth Day Information
There are some important items to note as we move into the final days before Youth Day 2010:
- Please be aware that we have been informed that the California Highway Patrol will be stopping busses randomly to make sure they have the correct license and insurance. To make sure that your bus company is in compliance check out the California Public Utilities Commission website.
- Please be forewarned that there is major construction just north of the connection of the 5 and 91 freeways. I would take that into account when planning your trip to Youth Day. Those traveling south on the 5 Freeway will definitely run into a little back up (more than usual, I think).
- Please remember to tell your young people that there will be a collection at all the Youth Day Liturgies to raise money for youth scholarships to leadership programs on a national and diocesan level.
- Please remind people that we are collecting old cell phones for recycling and raising money for Haiti.
- All buses MUST drop off and pick up young people on Convention Way (no busses will be allowed to enter the Convention Center from West Street). Please follow the directions that will be sent directly to all Youth Day Contact people – from the R. E. Congress office.
Live Streaming for Religious Education Congress
We are very excited to announce that there will be live streaming on the web of the Religious Education Congress Arena activities from Friday, March 19 – including the Opening Event, workshops, and concerts. We will also be live streaming the Sunday closing liturgy from the afternoon. You can learn more about this great addition to our event by checking out the Congress website at www.recongress.org!LIVE. Make sure you help us spread the word to people about this great thing!
Youth Ministry GRAPEVINE (March 2010)
Youth Day 2010—I’m Just Sayin’
Over 15,000 people have registered for the annual Youth Day to be held in Anaheim on March 18! The theme of our great day is taken from the readings of the day and it is “I’m Just Sayin’…” This day is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate the young church of Los Angeles and beyond. It is an evangelizing day full of music, prayer, catechesis, and much more. Here are some helpful hints to help make your day more enjoyable:
- PLEASE remember that busses will only be able to drop off and pick up young people off of Convention Way (no busses will be allowed at the back of the Convention Center off of West St.). We ask you to follow the directions of the company hired to direct traffic – Transportation Services. They will be connecting with each bus at the front entrance off of Convention Way.
- PLEASE make sure you distribute name badges to young people before you arrive at the Convention Center. This will help with unloading.
- THERE is no saving of seats in any space at the Convention Center – especially the Arena. Please follow this guideline.
- Please let your young people know that we will be taking a collection up at the liturgies and that money will go to help youth attend leadership programs both locally and nationally.
- We are also collecting OLD CELL PHONES to raise money for Haiti. Please ask your groups to bring any old cell phones that can be donated to the company at Youth Day and at the same time we raise money for those affected by the recent earthquake.
- Please remember that we will be selling official Youth Day T-shirts. Please help us to spread the word.
- We have word that the California Highway Patrol will be checking the licenses of buses! Make sure your bus is in good standing with the California Public Utilities Commission. See it online at www.cpuc.ca.gov!
Live Streaming for Religious Education Congress
We are very excited to announce that there will be live streaming on the web of the Religious Education Congress Arena activities from Friday, March 19 – including the Opening Event, workshops, and concerts. We will also be live streaming the Sunday closing liturgy from the afternoon. You can learn more about this great addition to our event by checking out the Congress website at www.RECongress.org! Make sure you help us spread the word to people about this great thing!
Youth Ministry E-VINE (February 24, 2010)
Youth Day is Closed
Great news: The response to Youth Day has been amazing. Bad news: We have reached capacity and the day is closed. Medium level news: We have started a waiting list and usually groups have extra tickets that they are willing to sell. If you have not registered for Youth Day yet please go ahead and send in your information but please know that you will be on the waiting list. We will inform you when we have openings. Please know that the online registration is no longer available. Thanks for supporting our great day! We have over 15,000 people attending!
Youth Day Bus Pick Up/Drop Off
Just a reminder about important Youth Day information concerning bus drop off and pick up at the convention center. PLEASE check out the information enclosed with your tickets (and make sure you check you tickets ASAP when they arrive – we started mailing them out this week). The ONLY place that busses will be able to drop young people off for Youth Day will be in FRONT of the convention center off of Convention Center Way (just off of Harbor). This is also where busses will come to pick people up. We have hired Transportation Services to handle the flow of all busses. When you arrive and drop off young people you will be given information from this company about where you bus should park for the day and how they will come back for pick up. Do not leave the bus drop off area without getting this information. More specific guidelines will be emailed to all contact people prior to Youth Day.
Youth Ministry E-VINE (February 17, 2010)
Youth Day 2010
Tickets for Youth Day will be mailed out this week. Please know that we do not mail them out all at once. They go out in the order that the registrations were received. (We begin with number one and then move on.) Please realize that it might not be until next week before you receive your tickets. Also, Youth Day is not closed, yet, but looks to be very soon. If you are planning to register for the day or add more people to your group please do it soon. If you are using a BUS to come to Youth Day, please make sure your charter company is in compliance with the California Public Utilities Commission (this group monitors to make sure your bus has the correct license and has the proper insurance). You can go online and look up your bus company’s name to see if it is approved at: https://delaps1.cpuc.ca.gov/pls/public_cpuc/f?p=203:35:3351748757668781
T-Shirts for Youth Day
February 22 is the LAST DAY for pre-orders for Youth Day T-Shirts. You can get a customized T-shirt with the Youth Day logo (and your favorite color) directly from the company we use for the official shirts. Check out the attached order form or go to www.Seraph7.com. “I’m Just Sayin’…” you might want to order soon.
Youth Ministry E-VINE (February 11, 2010)
Youth Ministry Retreat at Religious Education Congress is CLOSEDThank you very much for the overwhelming response to the Youth Ministry Retreat planned for the Friday of our annual Religious Education Congress. We are very excited about having Mike Patin return to inspire us with his words of wisdom and humor. It’s great that we get to report that the retreat is completely full and we have started a waiting list. We’re very sorry if you didn’t get registered in time to be part of this event, but please know it will probably happen again in the future! If you are registered for the day please know you will receive an email from us in early March giving you details of the day. Thanks, again, for supporting this wonderful event.
Youth Ministry E-VINE (February 4, 2010)
Youth Day and Congress InformationJust some reminders about Youth Day and Congress 2010! Please remember that the last day for someone to sign up to be an MC for Youth Day is Friday, February 5. We have had an overwhelming response so far and we are excited to use young people in this important position at our day. PLEASE NOTE that Youth Day is not full and we are still taking reservations. The Youth Minister’s Retreat at Congress on March 19th with Mike Patin will be full by the end of the week. We will begin a waiting list and let you know immediately if you are part of that group. Don’t forget that your group can PRE-ORDER Youth Day T-Shirts, customize them, and choose your own color. Please check out the Youth Day page (www.RECongress.org/YD) concerning T-Shirt ordering! ORDER YOUR YOUTH DAY T-SHIRTS TODAY!
Youth Ministry E-VINE (January 20, 2010)
Mike Patin Day Retreat at Religious Education Congress
There are a few remaining spots for the Adults in Ministry with Young People Retreat happening at the Religious Education Congress on Friday, March 19. The incredible Mike Patin will be leading our day and it promises to be uplifting and restful (especially after Youth Day!). Come spend a day with fellow adults in ministry as we laugh, pray, and play together! It promises to be powerful. Check out the registration form for more information. Register ASAP!
Youth Day Opportunities for Youth
Please remember that there are two great ways that young people can be involved in Youth Day 2010! The can be singers or musicians in the Arena Choir or they can be Emcees and introduce speakers for the day. These great opportunities are about to be closed to people, so get those registration forms in ASAP. Check out our Youth Day page for more information at: http://www.RECongress.org/YD
Youth Ministry E-VINE (January 4, 2010)
Youth Day 2010
Just a reminder that we are presently taking registrations for YOUTH DAY 2010! You can even register ONLINE! We also want to remind you of the two opportunities for young people to be involved as EMCEES or as part of the Arena Choir and Musicians. For more information about how to register young people to be part of youth day please visit our website at www.RECongress.org/YD. We also want to remind you that Mike Patin will be sponsoring a daylong retreat at the Religious Education Congress this year (all day Friday). Registration is limited! Please check http://www.archdiocese.la/learning/ore/youth/year.html for the registration form!
Youth Ministry GRAPEVINE (December 2009)
I’m Just Sayin’… Youth Day 2010
Believe it or not, Youth Day will be here before you know it! The registration guidebook is out, you can download the form from the website, and we’ve already begun to receive registrations! We hope you are planning to join us for Youth Day 2010! Our theme for Youth Day is I’m Just Sayin’… and it reflects the readings of our day. Check out Exodus 32:7-14 and John 5:31-47. These have helped us as we plan this great day.We also want to remind you that there are many ways for young people to be involved in Youth Day and a way for NON-chaperoning adults to be involved, as well. Youth Day Emcees are the young people that introduce speakers, lead us in prayer at our opening sessions and guide us in our closing rallies. The Emcee training day will be on Saturday, February 13, from 9am-12noon at Holy Family Parish in South Pasadena. Youth planning to be an emcee MUST attend this day. You can download a registration form from our website and pass it on to any young person that is interested in being a speaking presence at Youth Day.
Our Arena Liturgy is looking for Choir Members and Musicians that would like to assist in making our Mass with Cardinal Mahony the best youth friendly liturgy around. Ed Archer of St. Monica Parish and High School guides these groups in preparing the music for our liturgy. Rehearsals for the Arena Choir are held at St. Monica in Santa Monica and begin on January 16! Check out the flyer on our website to be part of this important group.
Adults that are NOT chaperoning a group at Youth Day, but want to participate can volunteer to be part of our team that leads the day. We are always looking for youth friendly adults that can come help lead the crowds, take tickets, maintain order and much more. If you know of adults that would like to volunteer please have them call Erin Avila at (559) 259-8232. We need you to spread the word!
Youth Ministry E-VINE (November 4, 2009)
Youth Day Transportation and the CPUC
PLEASE remember that as you book your transportation for YOUTH DAY 2010 it is very important that you check to make sure your carrier is licensed through the California Public Utilities Commission. This is very easy to do. Just look up your carrier at CPUC’s website and make sure you click on the link for Passenger Carriers. This site will tell you whether the carrier is allowed to be operating now or not. It is good to check back annually to make sure your carrier is still in good standing.
Youth Ministry Retreat at Congress 2010
We are planning our second Youth Ministry Day-Retreat at the 2010 Religious Education Congress on Friday, March 19 (download flyer here
Youth Ministry GRAPEVINE (November 2009)
Mike Patin Retreat at RE Congress 2010
We are excited to announce that Mike Patin will return to offer a day retreat for Youth Ministry Coordinators and their adult team members on the Friday of the Religious Education Congress. This will take place at the Doubletree Suites Hotel at 2085 S. Harbor Blvd. in Anaheim on Friday, March 19, from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The cost for the day is $25 per person and this will include lunch! The theme for the day is “Between a ‘Rock’ and a Hard Place: My Soul.” Mike describes the day this way, “People. Needs. Meetings. Deadlines. Call. Texts. Family and friends . . . Oh yeah, and my friendship with God. This day will be a chance to slow down for a few hours and allow our souls to catch up with our bodies.” Registration for this day is separate from the RE Congress registration guidebook. Please check out our website at www.archdiocese.la/learning/ore for a registration form or contact Mike Norman at mnorman@la-archdiocese.org or (213) 637-7674. Come join us to recover from Youth Day, too!
Youth Day Opportunities for Young People
Just a reminder that there are two great ways for young people to be involved in Youth Day 2010. One way is to be part of the Arena Choir and musicians for the liturgy with Cardinal Mahony. Rehearsals will begin on Saturday, January 16, at St. Monica parish at 725 California Avenue in Santa Monica, CA 90403. This is also the day that people will be able to audition for solos. Young people can also be an Youth Day MC and be part of the team that introduces speakers and guides us through our day at Opening Sessions and Closing Rallies. The MC Training Day will take place at Holy Family Parish in South Pasadena on Saturday, February 13, 2010. Young people need to fill out registration forms to be part of either opportunity. You can download a form from www.RECongress.org/YD or contact Diana Salinas for one at dmsalinas@la-archdiocese.org or (213) 637-7303. This is a great way for young people to use their talents to enhance our great day. We also have great opportunities for adult volunteers. Contact us soon for that, too!
Youth Day Registration ONLINE!
That’s right, you are reading correctly. We are making it possible for you to register for Youth Day online. All you need to do is visit the Youth Day Page on the RECongress website at www.RECongress.org/YD. You’ll need to pay by credit card. We’ve been doing this for Congress for a while now, but this is the first year for Youth Day. The RECongress Registration Guidebooks should be mailed out mid-November, but you can download all of the materials for YOUTH DAY and Congress right now! Please start sharing our theme I’m Just Sayin’… with your young people to help get them prepared for our great day in 2010!
Youth Ministry E-VINE (October 29, 2009)
Youth Day Opportunities
Please pass on to your young people that they can be personally involved in Youth Day 2010. Our theme for the day is I’m Just Sayin’… and I’m just saying that we always need young people that are willing to be MCs for our speakers or that are excited about singing in the ARENA CHOIR or playing an instrument for the Arena Liturgy. It’s as easy as coming to training days and rehearsals. Please see the flyers for Youth Day MCs (PDF: 1pg, 212k) and Youth Day Arena Liturgy Choir (PDF: 1pg, 81k) for more information AND PLEASE post somewhere that your young people can see them. We’d love to have as many young people involved as possible. We know one of the main successes of Youth Day is that we work hard to make it a day where youth see themselves on stage!
Youth Ministry E-VINE (October 21, 2009)
Youth Day and Congress ONLINE Registration
GREAT NEWS! Starting on Monday, October 26, you will be able to register for YOUTH DAY 2010 and the Religious Education Congress online. The guidebooks for our great event will not be mailed until the first week of November, but you’ll be able to check everything out online and even REGISTER your group for Youth Day. Check out the Registration page more information. We hope this new way of registering helps you with the process.
Youth Ministry E-VINE (October 7, 2009)
Youth Day Emcees
Youth Day 2010 is looking for young people that are interested in being Emcees for our great day. Emcees are responsible for introducing our speaker and some become the over all emcees that lead us through our Opening Sessions and our Closing Rallies. Any young person interested in being an Emcee for Youth Day must attend a half-day of training on Saturday, February 13, at Holy Family Parish in South Pasadena. Please check out the Youth Day MC registration form for more information.
Youth Ministry GRAPEVINE (October 2009)
I’M JUST SAYIN’… Youth Day 2010 Theme
So at first glance the theme for Youth Day 2010 can seem a little strange, but we promise that once you’ve reviewed the readings of the day it will make complete sense. I’m Just Sayin’… speaks loudly of Moses boldly pleading with God in the first reading and Jesus calmly suggesting to people that they might want to follow his example in the Gospel. Our readings for Youth Day are Exodus 32:7-14 and John 5:31-47. We hope that you will begin to review these readings with your young people (and chaperones) to help prepare them for our great day. Youth Day gathers over 15,000 young people and chaperones at the Anaheim Convention Center to celebrate our great God and our larger Church community. It is a day that is both invigorating and exhausting. Registration Guidebooks for Youth Day and for Congress will be out by the end of October. Please be on the lookout so you can get your registration form in as soon as possible. We hope to see you in March 2010!
Youth Ministry E-VINE (March 18, 2009)
Youth Day Information
Thank you to everyone that helped make YOUTH DAY 2009 so successful – all those that planned the day, all those that brought young people, and the team from our office. Please make sure that you meet with your young people and fill out an evaluation form. We’d like to receive those forms before March 31. We also wanted to thank you for your incredible generosity with our collection this year. We raised over $11,000 that will be used to assist our Archdiocesan youth leadership programs and the Catholic Youth Foundation USA. It is a great way for us to support the future of young ministers in our Church!
Youth Ministry GRAPEVINE (February 24, 2009)
Download the Youth Day Theme Song for FREE!
World Library Publications and the incredible Jacob and Matthew have made it possible for you to download a copy of the theme song from Youth Day 2009. “Stand Up and Live!” is the energetic moving song created by Jacob Israel and Matthew Leon for our special day. We say a big thank you to them for all that they did to make this song so meaningful. We also say a big thank you to World Library Publications, and specifically Lisa Bagladi, for arranging the opportunity of getting the song. We encourage you to check out Jacob and Matthew’s CD “Universal” and all the other incredible music that WLP has to offer. We really hope that the theme song will continue to inspire people every day. We also see it as a great way to let the memory of Youth Day live on for a long time. If you see Jacob or Matthew please make sure you say a BIG THANK YOU for the great theme song. And make sure you download a copy for yourself and your group today. Stand Up and Live L.A.!
• Visit the Youth Day web page www.RECongress.org/YD or www.wlp.jspaluch.com
Youth Day and Congress Dates for 2010!
Please mark your calendars now! Youth Day will be on March 18 and Congress will be March 1921! We look forward to
seeing you at Congress 2010!
Youth Ministry E-VINE (February 18, 2009)
SPECIAL YOUTH DAY AND CONGRESS 2009 E-VINE
Bus Drop Off and Pick Up
Just a quick reminder that this year you have the opportunity to have your bus drop you off two different places at Youth Day. The map that was sent with your tickets shows how you can be dropped off at the back of the Convention Center (off of West Street), but you can also have your driver take Convention Way (the road between the Marriott Hotel and the Hilton Hotel) and drop your group off in front of the Center. This will avoid all of the equipment moving around in back of the Center. The most important thing to remember is that your bus will pick you up at the same place it drops you off. The Convention Center has supplied two maps that show you how the buses will be directed to parking after dropping people off on Youth Day. Please know that there will be Convention Center staff directing traffic that day and supplying drivers with maps and instructions. CLICK TO SEE MAPSCRS Peace Banner
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Los Angeles Archdiocese Office of Justice and Peace invite you and our young church in the West to start this Lenten season in solidarity with the suffering Christ found all over the Holy Land. Please forward this onto your Youth Ministers and contacts and join in the effort to create a giant L.A. YOUTH DAY banner of peace for youth in refugee camps in the Holy Land. Think of it as a big graffiti wall for peace!
Ways you can help create this banner on Youth Day:
- Please visit the CRS table located in the Arena Lobby through lunchtime, to write a prayer with your youth! These will be attached to the banner and will be brought in for the Closing Ceremony.
- We will need volunteer youth to go out to the waiting lines before the doors open and during lunch to collect prayers as well. Please contact me if you want your youth group or school to help with this.
- We also need Sharpies and permanent markers to use just for the day. Let us know how many you have via email and bring them to our table in the Arena Lobby. Use a masking tape label with a the name of parish/school on each, to get them returned after.
- Create your prayers ahead of time and drop them by the table or mail in. See below for simple instructions. 15 minutes for peace and solidarity!
NOT GOING TO YOUTH DAY OR want to DO THEM AHEAD OF TIME?
If you are not attending Youth Day or want to do these ahead of time at your parish or school during the next week, this will take 15 minutes to simply invite the young people you serve to follow the instructions below:
- Cut out 2” x 6” pieces of white (muslin, simple) cloth. (You might consider using Tyvek, a synthetic material that can be obtained free from any construction builders as they typically have huge pieces left over from siding. This is cloth-like paper like that is also used for USPS large overnight/priority mail envelopes. It is weather proof and almost indestructible. You can cut up old envelopes of this material too!) We can not use paper as this needs to be as fire retardant as possible and especially hold up over time and weather.
- Use permanent markers to decorate the cloth and write a message or prayer of peace! Choose the side that doesn't smudge.
- Write a simple peace/solidarity prayer that could be given to any young person in the Holy Land. Write one line, three words, whatever. Because these will be distributed all over, we ask that the messages remain neutral and avoid using the words “Palestinian” or “Israeli.” Sample messages are:
- We are with you praying for peace!
- God bless you with peace in your hearts!
- Peace is possible; we are praying with you.
- We are with you in spirit and pray for peace.
- At the bottom of the message, write your first name, parish or school, city, state, USA.
- Hole punch the top, string your parishes together with string or strong ribbon so they hang.
- Mail them in a padded envelope to the address below or bring them to Youth Day and find CRS staff/volunteers at the entrance to the arena first thing as you arrive. They will put on a banner for the closing ceremony. You are part of a great movement of the Spirit of peace. Thank you!
Our goal is to send 2,500 prayer messages attached on this banner. Spread the word among your colleagues and communities; invite young people to do the same. Anyone can join! If you want to become part a collective youth message of peace to youth in the Holy Land, please send your prayer cloths so that they arrive by February 24, 2009 to: Mary Oldham, CRS Volunteer, Office of Justice and Peace, Archdiocese of Los Angeles, 3424 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010
2009 Youth Day Theme Song/2009 Congress Theme Song
Just a reminder that you can download the Youth Day Theme Song “Stand Up and Live!” by Jacob and Matthew from the Youth Day site www.RECongress.org/YD and you can now download the Congress Theme Song “Unfolding Love” by Josh Blakesley at www.spiritandsong.com. Check out both of these great songs!
My Catholic Voice Youth Ministry Session at Congress
“Teens, Text and Twitter: New Media for Youth Ministry” is the title of a gathering that will be happening at the 2009 Religious Education Congress specifically for Youth Ministry Coordinators. The Church today is encountering a fundamental shift in the way people communicate the Gospel message. This revolution in communications, sometimes referred to as “new media” or “Web 2.0” is similar in impact to the invention of the printing press. As the Web has become a new media publishing platform and a primary mechanism for how youth engage in community, youth leaders are challenged to explore, connect and share our church experience in new ways, and understand the dynamics of this new communication landscape. Fred Fosnacht, CEO of MyCatholicVoice, will highlight the best thinking, practices, strategies, and resources in new media and social networking and allow time for participants to share their own tactics. This session will happen on Friday, February 27, from 11:45am until 12:45pm in Convention Center Room 205AB (on the second floor). Please bring your lunch and join us! Please RSVP, since the room is limited in size, with Fred at congressyouthministers@mycatholicvoice.com.
Reception for NACYML Members at Congress
Those people that are members of the National Association for Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders (NACYML) should have received an invitation to a special reception at the upcoming Religious Education Congress. If you are a member of this important association, and all those that work with youth are encouraged to join this professional organization, and you did not receive an invitation email please contact Mike Norman ASAP for details. We look forward to having you join us for this event. For information on NACYML and registration guidelines please visit www.nacyml.org.
We’ll see you at YOUTH DAY 2009!
Youth Ministry E-VINE (February 11, 2009)
Youth Day Information
Please NOTE that there has been an additional place added for BUS DROP OFF for Youth Day. In the past it has been requested that all buses use the West Street entrance, which is in the back of the Convention Center. This year, due to high traffic of forklifts and other machinery in the back of the center as one show loads in and one loads out, the Convention Center is encouraging groups to use CONVENTION WAY to drop people off. This is the road that is between the Marriott Hotel and the Hilton Hotel that does a big curve right in front of the big windowed area of the Center. So, please tell your bus driver that your group CAN be dropped off in front of the Convention Center doors – to lessen the number of buses in the back. PLEASE MAKE SURE to tell your group that they will be picked up in the SAME PLACE that they were dropped off. This will be the instruction given to your bus driver. If you are driving a car, this information does not pertain to you. Please check out the map of the Center that was sent with your tickets. Also, please know that there are people looking for Youth Day tickets. If you have any extra tickets PLEASE contact Mike Norman at mnorman@la-archdiocese.org or 213-637-7674 as soon as possible.
The theme song for Youth Day 2009, "Stand Up and Live!" by the great band, Jacob and Matthew, can be downloaded for free from the Youth Day website. Follow the link to get your copy of “Step Up and Live!” at www.RECongress.org/YD. See you at Youth Day!
Youth Ministry E-VINE (February 4, 2009)
Youth Day Information
Please know that Youth Day 2009 is now closed for registrations. We do have a waiting list and can gladly add groups to that sheet in case we get groups with extra tickets (if you have tickets that you aren’t using please let us know). A heads up that the dates for Youth Day and Congress 2010 have been announced – Youth Day will be on March 18, 2010 and Congress will be March 19-21. Please note this on your calendars. If you are still interested in volunteering for Youth Day (or know of an adult that would like to), please connect with Erin Avila at emavila@sbcglobal.net or (559) 259-8232.
Youth Ministry E-VINE (February 3, 2009)
Can You Step It Up? Youth Day
“Step Up to Life” is the theme for our upcoming Youth Day! This is a great theme as we begin to help youth prepare for our big event. It helps to remind us that we all can constantly search for ways to Step Up to Life in many parts of our lives. Remember, it might be good to use the readings of the day with your youth as everyone prepares for our day. Knowledge of the readings in advance will help all of us enter into the experience more fully. The First Reading is from Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and the Gospel is from Luke 9:22-25. Also, we hope to have the theme song available for a FREE download within the next week. I’ll keep you posted via EVINES and other emails. If you are new to Youth Day I wanted to give you some advice (even if you aren’t new, this advice might help you to have a better day). First off, please know that everyone doesn’t fit in the Arena. Also, many times the Arena fills up EVEN before everyone with tickets for that workshop get in. I apologize for that in advance, but know that all of the other workshops will be just as good! PLEASE note that we do NOT have HALL B this year for our second Opening Rally, Liturgy, and Closing Rally. Instead we will be in HALL E— which is all the way down at the end of the convention center, downstairs. This will be a great room because it will have the wonderful music of Josh Blakesley, the talents of Mark Hart in the Keynote, Jesse Manibusan’s workshops, and Righteous B for the closing! How great is that! If you stay in Hall E for most of the day you will have a wonderful experience. Please remember that the workshop is repeated, though. Don’t forget that the third liturgy will be held in the Grand Ballroom on the third floor of the Convention Center. This liturgy will have Jacob and Matthew as its musicians! They wrote the theme song for our day! Remember that there are many volunteers around all day to help you find rooms and know what sessions are full. Please listen to them and they’ll let you know where to go. Thanks!
New Media for Youth Ministry Lunch at Congress
MyCatholicVoice and the Youth Ministry Team will be sponsoring a bring your own lunch gathering on Friday, February 27, at Congress. This session will reflect on how the church today is encountering a fundamental shift in the way people communicate the Gospel message. Youth leaders are challenged to explore, connect, and share our church experience in new ways and to understand the dynamics of this new communication landscape. To be part of this experience please RSVP to congressyouthministers@ mycatholicvoice.com and bring your lunch to the room that will be announced in future emails. Contact Mike Norman for more information.
Youth Ministry E-VINE (January 7, 2009)
Youth Day Registrations/Opportunities
Youth Ministry Grapevine (December 2008)
Youth Day 2009 Opportunities
Just a reminder that the deadline for young people to register to be an EMCEE at Youth Day or to be a musician/choir member for the ARENA LITURGY at Youth Day 2009 is January 9th (it comes quickly after the holidays). Please print out the forms and share with your young people (download at www.RECongress.org/YD). We also want to remind you that Youth Day usually fills up PRIOR to the cut off date for early registration. It is best for you to register your young people as soon as possible. We’ll try to alert you as soon as our day is full.
Youth Ministry E-VINE (December 2008/January 2009)
Step Up to Life — Youth Day '09
Plans for Youth Day 2009 are falling into place and the Youth Day Coordinating Team is VERY excited about our event. Here are some important facts to remember about Youth Day:
REGISTRATION is in full swing and please remember that our day usually fills up prior to the deadline for early registration. There is no way to gauge when Youth Day will be full – it happens when we run out of room. We strongly suggest you register before the holidays.
Companions on the Journey Awards – This year’s awardees have been announced and we are very excited to announce that the 2009 Diocesan Adult awards will be given to Dennis Santos (Santa Barbara Region), Vikki Shepp (Girl Scouts of Orange County), Marciano Avilla (Restorative Justice Office), Sr. Kathy Bryant (formerly of the Vocations Office), Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson (St. Monica), and Jeanie Essa (Bell Jeff High School). Please share your congratulations with these great people!
Emcee Training – Just a reminder that the training day for young people to be an emcee at Youth Day is Saturday, January 17 at Holy Family Parish in South Pasadena. The emcee form has been emailed out – if you need one please contact Mike Norman at mnorman@la-archdiocese.org. The day will last from 9 am until 12 noon. Please make sure you let your young people know.
Arena Choir Musicians – Both singers and those that play instruments! We are looking for young people to be part of the great choir for our Arena Liturgy! Please invite your young people to the first practice at St. Monica Parish, Santa Monica, on Saturday, January 17, at 9:30am. Those youth interested in having a solo need to bring a rehearsed piece to audition with. Contact Mike Norman for more details.
Volunteers needed: We are looking for groups to help with a liturgy – call Mike (213) 6377674 to volunteer for the day!
Youth Ministry Grapevine (November 2008)
“STEP UP TO LIFE!” - Youth Day 2009
“Step Up to Life” is the theme for Youth Day 2009! The Youth Day Coordinating Team met and reviewed the readings for our great day (Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Luke 9:22-25) to come up with this great theme. It will guide our planning as we develop our day – everything from Keynotes, T-Shirt Designs, Rallies and much more. The Registration Guidebooks for Congress and Youth Day have been mailed out – so you should receive one soon (or check with your parish DRE). Remember that Youth Day usually fills up PRIOR to the deadline for registration (Feb. 1, 2009). Please also remember that you can order T-Shirts in advance AND have them customized for your parish. Check out www.Seraph7.com for more details. Please note that custom orders must be paid for by January 28, 2009.
There are a few great ways for young people to become directly involved in Youth Day 2009. The MC Training Day is scheduled for Saturday, January 17, at Holy Family Parish in South Pasadena from 9 a.m. to noon. This is the day where young people are trained to introduce speakers for Youth Day and also where we choose those main emcees to lead the day in the Arena and our main Hall. For registration forms or more information please call Diana at (213) 637-7303 or pick one up at the Regional Youth Ministry Gatherings this November and December.
Youth that love to sing or play an instrument are encouraged to be part of the Youth Day Musicians for the Arena Liturgy. This year the choir and band will again be led by Mr. Ed Archer of St. Monica Parish. The first rehearsal (and where those wanting solos should come prepared to audition) will be held at St. Monica Parish (725 California Ave., Santa Monica 90403) on Saturday, January 17. Subsequent rehearsals will be held here as well. For a registration form please call Diana at (213) 637-7303.
Encourage youth to be part of our day!
Youth Ministry E-VINE (October 27, 2008)
Youth Day/Congress Registration Guidebooks
The Registration Guidebook for the 2009 Religious Education Congress (including Youth Day) has started to be mailed out. Please note that if you registered for either event last year, and have not moved, you will automatically receive a Registration Guidebook in the mail. Check with your parish Director of Religious Education before ordering a Guidebook (bundles will be handed out to DREs in the coming weeks) or go online to get the information and download a registration form. Check out: http://www.recongress.org/YD
The theme for Youth Day 2009 is “STEP UP TO LIFE!”
Youth Ministry E-VINE (February 13, 2008)
Unlicensed Buses at Youth Day
Here (2-7-08UnlicensedBusses.pdf) is the latest list from the Public Utilities Commission of Charter Bus Companies that ARE NOT in compliance with the PUC. Please refrain from using any of these companies to transport young people to any event (especially Youth Day). If stopped by the police the bus could be asked to not transport your group anywhere – like home from Anaheim! Please take a look at the list and contact the Public Utilities Commission if your bus company is listed.
Youth Ministry E-VINE (February 6, 2008)
Proper Manners at Youth Day 2008
The Youth Ministry Team would like to take this moment out to remind you that groups CANNOT save seats in any of the venues at Youth Day. This causes a lot of problems in trying to fill up the different rooms – especially the Arena. We will be watching closely to make sure ministry groups adhere to this policy. In the past some groups have even put signs on seats or used tape to portion off sections. We want to inform you that we will begin to take the names of groups that do this and not allow them to register for future Youth Days. If you encounter a group that is saving seats on Youth Day please contact the nearest Convention Center employee or a Congress staff person (people with walkie-talkies) and they will help you. Please be considerate of other groups and help to make our day as positive and transforming as possible. Thank you, in advance, for your help with this matter.
Youth Ministry E-VINE (January 18, 2008)
Unlicensed Bus Companies
www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Transportation/passengerss for valid charter bus companies and updates on enforcement action. If you are presently using one of the companies named on the list for Youth Day (or other events) you are risking the chance that police will stop the bus and refuse it to move any more. If you have questions please contact the Public Utilities Commission through the website. If you are using one of these companies you might want to let them know you received this list – it might cause them to straighten out the conflict.
Adults for Youth Day Moving Crew
We are still looking for adults who can join us on Youth Day for the Adult Moving Crew. This group of people helps groups find their way around the convention center, keeps an eye out for “lost young people,” energizes slow moving groups, and other fun activities for our day. It would not be the same Youth Day without this team. If you, or an adult you know, is interested in coming to Youth Day – and will not be a chaperone with a parish/school group – you can download the Moving Crew sign-up form from www.RECongress.org/YD . We need you to help us make Youth Day a huge success! Thanks for volunteering.
This Youth Ministry
E-VINE is an email reminder/notice of important information in the field
of Youth Ministry for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. To be added or
deleted from this list please contact Mike Norman at mnorman@la-archdiocese.org.
Michael Norman
Associate Director
Office of Religious Education
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
(213) 637-7674
mnorman@la-archdiocese.org
Youth Ministry homepage:
archdiocese.la/learning/ore/youth
Calendar of events:
archdiocese.la/calendar