OFFICE FOR EVANGELIZATION Events Calendar

Transcription

1 OFFICE FOR EVANGELIZATION Events Calendar 7800 Carousel Lane Richmond, VA (phone) (fax) General Inquiries Scouting Inquiries Photography by Lori Elizabeth

2 Mission & Vision The Office for Evangelization coordinates and supports conferences, retreats, training, and formation for middle and high school youth, college students, young adults, and the people who serve in these various ministries. Starting in 2014, the Office for Evangelization was tasked by the Bishop to lead a greater effort to promote the New Evangelization throughout parishes in the Diocese in the context of his 5-year pastoral plan entitled Encounter the Joy of the Gospel and Set the World Ablaze! Within these pages you will find descriptions of events that can supplement your parish calendar for youth, young adult, or campus ministry. Office for Evangelization Staff Michael School Director [email protected] Bert Drummond Associate Director [email protected] Deacon P. Eric Grimm Palm Associate Director, Youth and Young Adults for Eastern Vicariate [email protected] Angie Pometto Associate Director, Youth and Young Adults for Central/Western Vicariates [email protected] Carrie Poston Program Coordinator [email protected] Andrew Waring Associate Director, Campus Ministry [email protected] Rhoda Bevc Administrative Assistant [email protected] Bethany Seay Administrative Assistant [email protected] In his first Apostolic Exhortation, Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis says: I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord. The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. Come, run into His arms and experience the joy of a life spent with Christ.

3 YOUTH YOUNG ADULTS COLLEGE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES Ongoing Youth & Young Adult Minister Appreciation Dinner - Various Locations January 8-10 Discovery Retreat - Crossroads Retreat Center, Lowesville Ongoing Scouting Religious Emblem Training - Various Locations January Discovery Retreat - W.E. Skelton 4-H, Smith Mountain Lake Ongoing Theology on Tap - Various Locations January 16 Diocesan Men s Conference: Lions to Lambs - Richmond August 1-8 Parater Trek January March for Life Pilgrimage - Patriot Center and Washington, DC August 6-9 Wise County Mission for Young Adults February 4-6 Mid-Atlantic Congress - Baltimore, Maryland Fall - TBD New Youth Minister Training February Virginia College Summit - Richmond Marriott and Convention Center Fall - TBD Youth Workers Training Day February Diocesan Youth Conference (DYC) - Richmond Marriott and Convention Center September th Annual Catholic Retreatoree - Pipsico Scout Reservation February Encounter With Christ Retreat #180 - Grace Bible Camp, Lexington October 3 Virginia Catholic Youth Day at Busch Gardens - Williamsburg February Discovery Retreat - W.E. Skelton 4-H, Smith Mountain Lake October 24 Middle School Rally - Saint Edward, Richmond March 8-24 NET Ministries visits parishes and schools October 25 Middle School Rally - Bishop Sullivan High School, Virginia Beach March 12 NET Confirmation Retreat - Saint Mary Catholic Church, Richmond November 1 Seminarians visit college campuses March Encounter With Christ Retreat #181 - Grace Bible Camp, Lexington November 4-19 NET Ministries visits parishes and schools March 19 NET Confirmation Retreat - Church of the Resurrection, Portsmouth November 7 NET Confirmation Retreat - Our Lady of Nazareth, Roanoke April - TBD Diocesan Confirmation Retreat November 7 Diocesan Day of Service April 8-10 Encounter With Christ Retreat #182 - Grace Bible Camp, Lexington November Diocesan College Women s Retreat - Crossroads Retreat Center, Lowesville April 8-10 Christian Awakening Retreat - Camp Bethel (near Fincastle, Virginia) November Duc in Altum: Men s Discernment Weekend - Roslyn Retreat Center, Richmond April/May - TBD Youth Encuentro November 21 Diocesan Women s Conference: Women on the Way - Richmond April/May - TBD Young Adult Spring Retreat November NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference) - Indianapolis, Indiana May Sullivan Conference - Williamsburg June TBD Diocesan Youth Work Camp June TBD Steubenville Youth Conference - Atlanta, Georgia June TBD Middle School Camps - Richmond and Virginia Beach July 22 - Aug. 3 Diocesan World Youth Day Pilgrimage - Krakow, Poland Calendar At-a-Glance Some event dates and locations may be incomplete or subject to change. AT-A-GLANCE Check the website for the most up-to-date CALENDAR information.

4 DIOCESAN DAY OF SERVICE November 7, 2015 Throughout Diocese In James 2:14-17, we are reminded that faith without works is dead. The Office for Evangelization is encouraging parishes to offer an opportunity for the youth of our diocese to grow in their faith and strengthen their relationship with our Lord through works of service in their local communities. By holding this event simultaneously in multiple locations we are hoping to affect the lives of people in many communities and allow for a greater number of participants. Each parish can choose their own project and determine the length of time. See the Diocesan Youth Service Day booklet for possible service ideas and a reporting form. Information about this experience is available on our website. MEN S DISCERNMENT WEEKEND: Duc in Altum November 13-15, 2015 Roslyn Retreat Center in Richmond This event is sponsored and facilitated by the Office for Vocations. The weekend affords an opportunity for prayer and discernment for men of college age or older who are actively discerning a possible vocation to the priesthood or religious life. There is ample opportunity to speak one-on-one with priests and seminarians throughout the weekend and to hear them discuss how the Lord called them to discern their vocation. CATHOLIC WOMEN S CONFERENCE - Women on the Way Saturday, November 21, 2014 Greater Richmond Convention Center This third annual diocesan-wide Catholic Women s Conference is co-sponsored by the Center for Marriage, Family, and Life and the Office for Evangelization. This is a one-day conference for all women over 18 to come together for a day of fellowship, prayer, and learning. The conference will feature dynamic speakers, music, Mass, Reconciliation, and expo area with several vendors and ministries available and of course plenty of time for fellowship. The conference fee is $45. Visit for more information and to register. CATHOLIC MEN S CONFERENCE - Lions to Lambs Saturday, January 16, 2016 Greater Richmond Convention Center This 3rd Annual Catholic Men s Conference in the Diocese of Richmond is co-sponsored by the Center for Marriage, Family, and Life; the Office for Evangelization; the Office of Vocations; and the Knights of Columbus. All men 18 and older are invited to attend this one-day conference featuring powerful and inspiring talks and breakout sessions, an expanded expo area, Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Mass. We are pleased to welcome national Catholic speaker and author, Mark Hart, as our keynote speaker. The conference fee is $45. Visit for more information and to register. MARCH FOR LIFE PILGRIMAGE January 21-22, 2016 Washington D.C. The Office for Evangelization sponsors an annual Diocesan-wide delegation to the annual March for Life in Washington, DC. The March for Life marks the anniversary of the landmark decision of the Supreme Court in Roe versus Wade which makes abortion legal in the United States. The diocesan delegation will participate in the Life is Very Good Rally hosted by the Diocese of Arlington on the evening of January 21. The following morning there will be Mass at the Patriot Center with thousands of other youth from around the country. The delegation will then proceed from the Mass to the March for Life on the Downtown Mall in Washington, DC. WORLD YOUTH DAY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE July 22-August 3, 2016 Krakow, Poland This summer, Pope Francis invites youth and young adults from across the world to the 14th World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland. Once again the Diocese of Richmond will be sending a pilgrim delegation, along will millions of other Catholics from around the world, to the place where Saint John Paul II spent much of his life. The diocesan pilgrimage is full. Please pray for those who will be participating. View the official website for WYD Krakow at GENERAL EVENTS

5 YOUTH WORKERS TRAINING DAY Fall 2015 Location TBD A day for any adult who works with middle or high school youth focused on enriching our faith, deepening our understanding, and strengthening our ability to minister to youth. Breakout sessions are led by youth workers from across the diocese and include essentials such as relational ministry, recruiting volunteers, and practical tips on working with your pastor and retreat planning. Youth Ministers bring your volunteer team members! NEW YOUTH MINISTER TRAINING Fall 2015 Location TBD In an effort to offer consistent opportunities to provide support for young adult lay leadership who volunteer their time in ministry, we are offering two training days in These training days are offered free of charge for anyone involved in ministry with young adults between YOUTH WORKERS RETREAT Fall/Winter 2015 Location TBD The Youth Workers Retreat is a great opportunity for anyone who works with middle and high school youth to go on retreat for themselves. Join fellow youth workers from throughout Virginia to be spiritually renewed. The teens that you minister to deserve a youth worker who fills him/herself spiritually. Come away and rest! MID-ATLANTIC CONGRESS (MAC) February 4-6, 2016 Baltimore Hilton Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland The Mid-Atlantic Congress is an annual gathering of pastoral leaders at the diocesan, parish, and school levels in Baltimore, Maryland. It is co-sponsored by the Association of Catholic Publishers (ACP) and the Archdiocese of Baltimore, in partnership with the National Leadership Roundtable for Church Management. Visit for more information. Be sure to contact our Office for Christian Formation prior to registering to get our diocesan rate. SULLIVAN CONFERENCE May 20-21, 2016 Williamsburg, VA This conference for catechetical leaders is sponsored by the Office of Christian Formation. All those who work in Religious Education, catechists, RCIA teams, youth ministers, priests, deacons, and religious sisters are encouraged to attend this day of learning and reflection. The keynote speaker is Joyce Rupp, OSM. Visit for more information. YOUTH MINISTRY CERTIFICATE TRAINING Ongoing Location TBD The Office for Evangelization will continue to offer training for those youth ministers who wish to pursue a Certificate of Youth Ministry. This training will help new and experienced leaders focus on developing the right vision, the relationships, and principles for dynamic evangelization and catechesis. This training will help youth ministers focus on the essential areas that lead to fruitful, disciple-making outreach of the youth of your parish. Check the website for more information. YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT MINISTER APPRECIATION DINNER Ongoing 1 per Vicariate Each year the Office for Evangelization likes to honor those who serve in ministry with youth and young adults. This dinner is an occasion to celebrate the joys of ministry and have fellowship with others who are doing the same kind of work. A dinner will be held in each vicariate. RELIGIOUS EMBLEM FACILITATOR TRAINING Ongoing Locations TBD Calling all Boy Scout and Girl Scout volunteers involved in facilitating Religious Emblems! Both the Central and Eastern Scouting Committees stand ready to train people to conduct Religious Emblems Training in your church or Scout unit. The Catholic Religious Emblems programs for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts will be reviewed. There is no charge for these trainings. To coordinate one, contact us at scouting@ richmonddiocese.org. TRAINING EVENTS

6 PARATER TREK August 1-8, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area The Parater Trek is a week of backpacking and a Catholic retreat with daily Mass for those young men who want to test themselves in body and soul and take up the challenge to see what it takes to walk with God. Participants will backpack approximately 50 miles on the Appalachian Trail. Our trek will take us to the top of Mt. Rogers, the highest point in Virginia, and through designated wilderness areas. The Trek will be based on the format for the National Catholic Committee on Scouting Saint George Trek. Rev. Ken Shuping, chaplain at James Madison University, will be leading the Parater Trek, along with a seminarian of the Diocese of Richmond as the other adult advisor. 28th ANNUAL CATHOLIC RETREATOREE September 11-13, 2015 Pipsico Scout Reservation Camp Lions The Eastern Catholic Committee on Scouting welcomes all scouts 4th grade and up (Webelos, Juniors, Boy Scouts, Cadettes, Seniors, Venturers, American Heritage Girls) to come together for worship, prayer, and celebration of the faith. The cost is $35 per person through August 8, 2015, then increases to $40 per person until August 29, CATHOLIC YOUTH BUSCH GARDENS Saturday, October 3, 2015 Known as an ongoing tradition in the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, the Catholic youth of our Diocese gather at a theme park to have some fun together in community and fellowship. This year, the Annual Catholic Youth Day will be back at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. The day includes discounted admission to the park all day long, Sunday Vigil Mass, and dinner as a Diocese. MIDDLE SCHOOL RALLIES October 24, 2015 Saint Edward Catholic Church - Richmond October 25, 2015 Bishop Sullivan High School - Virginia Beach The Middle School Youth Rally is a one-day diocesan gathering of all middle school (grades 6-8) youth from across the Diocese of Richmond. This event is intended to be a high-energy day filled with opportunities to gather as a Catholic Diocesan community which will integrate fun and community building with the richness of our Catholic faith. NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference) November 19-21, 2015 Indianapolis, Indiana The National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministers (NFCYM) hosts a youth conference every two years in a location which varies from year to year and attracts over 20,000 Catholic teenagers from around the country. The NCYC is an exciting three-day experience for Catholic teenagers and those who minister with them. The conference will be an opportunity to excite young people about their faith, social action, prayer, and learning. If you have never attended, you will find that it is well worth the time and energy that it takes to ensure the participation of young people from your parish/school. The NCYC will be educational, prayerful, safe, and interesting for all involved. CONFIRMATION RETREATS November 7, 2015 Our Lady of Nazareth - Roanoke (led by NET) March 12, 2016 Saint Mary Catholic Church - Richmond (led by NET) March 19, 2016 Church of the Resurrection in Portsmouth (led by NET) April 2016 Holy Trinity Catholic Church - Norfolk (led by Diocesan team) To assist parishes with Confirmation retreats, the Diocese has partnered with NET ministries to offer oneday retreats to support parishes who need to provide a good retreat option. These retreats can be used as the complete parish Confirmation retreat OR as a make-up retreat. A modest cost is required and space is limited, so act quickly when registration opens. NET MINISTRIES November 4-19, 2015 Fall Tour March 8-24, 2016 Spring Tour NET Ministries challenges young Catholics to love Christ and embrace the life of the Church. Every August, 130 young Catholics aged leave behind their jobs, school, family, and friends to devote nine months to serving with the National Evangelization Teams (NET). Divided into 12 teams, they travel across the U.S. for nine months to share the Gospel with young people and their families. Since 1981, NET teams have led over 26,000 retreats and ministered to more than 1.6 million young Catholics. Each year, the Diocese of Richmond invites NET teams to run retreats for parishes and Catholic schools who wish to take advantage of what they offer. Contact us for more information on how to bring at NET team to your parish or school. YOUTH EVENTS

7 DISCOVERY RETREATS January 8-10, 2016 Crossroads Retreat Center - Lowesville January 15-17, 2016 W.E. Skelton 4-H - Smith Mountain Lake February 26-28, 2016 W.E. Skelton 4-H - Smith Mountain Lake Discovery is a peer-ministered retreat for 9th and 10th grade students which encourages teenagers to discover their own identity and their relationship with God. The retreat is incredibly dynamic with talks, small group interaction and community-building experiences. It is based on the steps of evangelization and helps the young person know Jesus in faith! This is a great opportunity for freshman and sophomores to grow in their faith. As a reminder, these retreats should not be used as make-up for a Confirmation retreat. DIOCESAN YOUTH CONFERENCE February 12-14, 2016 Richmond Marriott & Greater Richmond Convention Center The Diocesan Youth Conference is a weekend event held each calendar year to gather high school youth from all 148 parishes in the Diocese of Richmond to one central location. The Conference is a highly energetic, engaging, and awesome opportunity for our high school teenagers to gather as a larger Church community and celebrate the amazing richness of our Catholic Christian faith. CHRISTIAN AWAKENING RETREAT April 8-10, 2016 Camp Bethel - Fincastle Christian Awakening is a peer-ministered retreat which enables the teenagers to come to know and experience Christ, and to see him in themselves and others. Youth are invited to explore ways of serving others and becoming better, more fully committed Christians. Christian Awakening (CA) builds on the foundational elements of the Discovery Retreat and is great for forming leaders in a parish community. This retreat is for 11th or 12th graders who are ready to live their faith in a profound way. As a reminder, these retreats should not be used as make-up for a Confirmation retreat. DIOCESAN YOUTH WORK CAMP June 2016 Location TBD The Diocesan Work Camp is a weeklong camp experience for high school youth to serve brothers and sisters in need by making their homes safer, warmer, drier, and greener while also having the opportunity to grow in our Catholic faith. Work Camp is not just a youth event. It is an opportunity for parishes to make a difference in the lives of those in need right here in our diocese while encouraging youth to answer their baptismal call to serve others. STEUBENVILLE YOUTH CONFERENCE July 2016 Atlanta, Georgia Steubenville Summer Youth Conferences provide a unique opportunity to gather with teenagers from across the nation in Catholic community. The conference combines inspiring talks, great music, time for prayer and fellowship, entertainment and liturgies. Each year the Diocese sends a delegation of high school youth to participate in the Steubenville Atlanta Youth Conference. Parishes register for the conference on their own and the diocese coordinates transportation and housing. MIDDLE SCHOOL DAY CAMPS July 2016 Locations TBD This camp brings together middle school youth from area parishes to grow in community, understanding of their faith, and relationship with Christ. Camp activities include games, service, prayer, water sports, community building and fostering a deeper spiritual understanding on specific topics related to the Catholic faith. Camps are typically offered twice in two different vicariates. YOUTH ENCUENTRO April/May 2016 Location TBD This retreat is an opportunity for Hispanic high school youth to get to know each other, grow in their relationship with Christ and the Church, and develop leadership skills. There will be guest speakers, dynamic workshops and activities. The retreat will be in English and Spanish. The retreat is open to all students currently in high school, grades th Grade students may also participate at the discretion of their youth minister. YOUTH EVENTS

8 SEMINARIANS VISIT COLLEGE CAMPUSES November 1, 2015 Various Campuses Each year our Diocesan Seminarians take time away from their studies at the seminary to come and visit college campuses, give talks, answer questions, and make themselves available to college students who may be discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, or perhaps who just want to get to know more about what inspired these men to answer God s call to enter seminary and discern a vocation to priesthood. DIOCESAN COLLEGE WOMEN S RETREAT November 13-15, 2015 Crossroads Retreat Center - Lowesville Designed for women who are in college across our Diocese, this retreat offers a chance to get away from the busyness of campus life and spend some time in community with other college-aged women in prayer, friendship, and fellowship. Hosted by national Catholic speaker and musician, Sarah Hart, this retreat explores themes that are relevant to women in college and in their late-teens and early-twenties. VIRGINIA COLLEGE SUMMIT February 12-13, 2015 Richmond Marriott & Greater Richmond Convention Center Join Catholic college students from all over the state of Virginia for two days of fellowship, prayer, and formation. You don t want to miss this exciting weekend! There will be nationally recognized speakers, breakouts and workshops on a variety of topics, Mass with the Bishop, and Catholic college students from all over Virginia to meet and network with. The registration cost is only $10 and includes bus transportation from your college/university, meals, and lodging. ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST RETREATS EWC #180 February 19-21, 2016 Grace Bible Camp - Lexington EWC #181 March 18-20, 2016 Grace Bible Camp - Lexington EWC #182 April 8-10, 2016 Grace Bible Camp - Lexington Encounter with Christ is a peer-led weekend retreat which presents students in college with an fundamental understanding of a personal relationship with Jesus. Throughout the weekend, participants spend time growing in fellowship and friendship with college students from across the Diocese as they learn more about their relationship with Jesus and Church. WISE COUNTY MISSION August 6-9, 2015 Wise County, Virginia August 4-7, 2016 Wise County, Virginia The Wise County Summer Mission is part mission, part retreat. This is an opportunity for young adults (18+) to serve our brothers and sisters in the far southwest corner of our diocese. Ours is a mission diocese. There are about 250,000 Catholics in the diocese and the majority of those are concentrated in the large urban areas. In the rural southwest, Catholics are fewer in number and don t have as much opportunity to see the Universal Church as young and vibrant. This mission is an opportunity to bring a great witness of faith and hope while serving the spiritual and physical needs of the people living in the southwest corner of our Diocese by using the gifts God has given us as young Catholics. There are opportunities to do home repair and to visit the sick and homebound. YOUNG ADULT SPRING RETREAT April/May 2016 Location TBD The young adult retreat is back! In this spring retreat, young adults will gather to relax and spend some time in prayer and reflection and fellowship with one another. A priest will be available all weekend for spiritual direction and confession, and there will be Mass each day. THEOLOGY ON TAP Come to your local bar/restaurant once a month to share a meal and a beverage with friends, and to hear a good talk on a Catholic perspective on something relevant to our culture. There are chapters of Theology on Tap in just about every major region of the diocese and each one typically hosts an event once a month. Check out the listings on our wesbite. COLLEGE & YOUNG ADULT EVENTS