DYC: Diocesan Youth Council
September 12, 2009
DYC Leaders 2008-09 | Qualities of a Youth Council Member | Selection Process
Discernment Process | Contacts
Location
St. Francis Catholic Church (
Map)
861 Wildwood Ln
Grapevine, TX 76051
Retreat Registration Forms
Note: If you are unable to open the PDF files you will need to download Adobe Reader.
Purpose
The Diocese of Fort Worth, Office of Youth Ministry / Adolescent Catechesis has established the Diocesan Youth Council for the following purposes:
- To be a voice for all youth of the diocese through representation in various capacities on the diocesan, regional and national levels.
- To be a youth voice of the Office of Youth Ministry / Adolescent Catechesis.
- To participate in planning and implementing all diocesan youth events.
- To further Christian growth and leadership development of youth.
- To challenge the diocese to attend to the needs and views of youth.
Duties of the DYC Members:
- To officially represent the youth of your parish and the Diocese of Fort Worth.
- To bring Catholic youth of the diocese together at least 4 times a year to exchange information, pray together, learn from one another and gain input for the planning and implementing of diocesan-level youth events.
- To divide up and focus energies in the following areas of diocesan ministry to youth:
- DCYC: Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference
- FACES Jr. High Rally
- Region 10 Representation
- World Youth Day Celebrations
- National Representation
- To maintain communication with youth of the diocese through the North Texas Catholic newspaper, through special mailings and; publications, through personal contacts, and any other measures adopted by the group.
- To maintain communication with Bishop Vann and other diocesan officials through letters and personal meetings throughout the year.
Qualities of a Youth Council Member:
While it is a given that all young people have potential, it is recognized that some special characteristics and talents would be helpful for prospective representatives. A Youth Council member should:
- Jr. High Representatives: be at least an in-coming 7th grader in good academic standing
- Sr. High Representative: be at least a sophomore in high school in good academic standing
- be a person of vision (a planner as well as a doer)
- be familiar with the vision of youth ministry (or open to learn) and be an activeparticipant in a parish youth ministry or school campus ministry
- have the ability to listen to others and to report their concerns without judgment
- be honest in communicating their own feelings
- be able to consider the whole diocesan picture rather than the individual parish or school
- have the necessary time to attend 4 meetings a year (1 day long and the others half day)and participate in planning and implementing one diocesan-level youth event
Selection Process
The Diocesan Youth Council should be a representative body of the entire diocese. This is inclusive of cultural, economic, social, geographical, and linguistic diversities.
Parishes and schools are requested to submit names of four young people (preferably one male / one female) two Jr. High and two High School age who fit the qualifications set by the OYM / AC. It is the youth / campus minister’s responsibility to make the first contact with their candidates about the nomination and get them to the DYC meetings.
The Office of Youth Ministry will accept any nominations made by their parish/school leaders and new members can come on at any meeting of the year. It is of course hoped that the same youth will come each time rather than different youth at each meeting so that DYC can grow through the year instead of starting over at each meeting. The first meeting (September retreat) will involve a discernment process and a clarification of the roles and responsibilities of DYC members.
Youth leaders should send nominations to the OYM / AC by August 29th each year. The first meeting will be held in September of each year (an all day retreat).
The Discernment Process
- It is time spent to help the candidates get to know each other
- Candidates will also spend time in prayer with small groups discussing the time commitment and support from home parish, family, school, etc.
- Candidates will also look at their gifts, strengths, weaknesses and what they bring to this body
Adult Leader Roles
Every adult who brings youth representatives to the DYC meetings will be expected to fully participate throughout the meeting. The adults present will serve as facilitators in small groups or as support to the young person leading a small group session. A small group of adult volunteers will be chosen to train and mentor the diocesan youth council core team (called DYC moderators) along with Kevin Prevou, Director OYM / AC. These adults will be discerned along with the youth attendees discerned for youth leadership roles in DYC.