Applications being accepted to serve on new Diocesan Youth Council
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Applications are being accepted through April 5 for people who wish to serve on the newly created Diocesan Youth Council (DYC).
Bishop W. McKnight established the council on Feb. 16.
The vision for the DYC is based on “Christus Vivit,” (“Christ Lives”) the apostolic exhortation Pope Francis released at the conclusion of the 2018 Synod of Bishops on Young People, Faith and Vocational Discernment.
The DYC’s main purpose is to serve as a forum for young voices to be heard while also actively equipping the young people to be disciples in the Church.
In order be eligible for membership on the council, a person must meet the following requirements:
- be a Catholic in full communion with the Catholic Church;
- have received all the Sacraments of Initiation and be an active steward of the parish;
- be outstanding in firm faith, good morals and prudence; and
- be a high school student at the time of applying and be able to commit to at least one, two-year term.
Active or previous leadership experience in his or her parish is preferred.
Members will be required to commit to attending quarterly meetings in person at the Alphonse J. Schwartze Memorial Catholic Center in Jefferson City.
Meetings will always be on Saturdays.
The first meeting will be on May 11, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will include a morning of recollection.
Members will also commit to taking part in a yearly leadership retreat with the DYC and participate in leadership opportunities at a minimum of one diocesan youth gathering.
Such gatherings include a Diocesan Youth Rally, the National Catholic Youth Conference, summer camps, Totus Tuus, or a Confirmation Retreat.
Each of the five geographic regions of the diocese, known as deaneries, will have two representatives on the DYC.
Two young adults — preferably one male and one female — between ages 25 and 35 will also serve as leaders and role models for the young people on the council.
The bishop, director of vocations, director of religious education & youth/young adult ministry, executive director of communications and the moderator of youth and young adult ministry, will all serve as ex officio members.
“The desire of our diocese and our bishop is to hear from the young Church and allow young people to become involved in the Church here and now,” said Maureen Quinn, diocesan director of religious education and youth/young adult ministry.
“That’s something our bishop is passionate about, our youth office is passionate about, and our Church is passionate about,” she stated.
Mrs. Quinn pointed out that throughout the discernment process for the Synod of Bishops on Synodality, young Catholics throughout the world have stated their desire to become active participants in the mission of the Church.
“They want to make an impact,” Mrs. Quinn noted. “They want to make their footprint. They don’t want to be mere spectators.”
Moving young Catholics from a place of merely receiving ministry to effectively participating in ministry requires a commitment to formation.
“So, this council is distinctly designed to not only receive the thoughts, ideas and feedback of the young people, but it’s also about giving them the tools to become the future of the Church and also leaders right now in the Church,” said Mrs. Quinn.
Applicants need a letter of recommendation from their pastor as well as a letter from a youth leader, testifying to their character and their striving for virtue and excellence.
Applicants also need to indicate their parents’ consent for serving on the council.
The appointment of the DYC’s members will be announced by April 19.
For further information or to apply to serve on the DYC, visit: diojeffcity.org/youth-council
