NACYML NEWS Spring2005: Contents

Highlights

Welcome to NACYML: The First Gathering of the Membership The National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders (NACYML) was officially launched on Thursday, December 2, 2004 with a gathering of inaugural and charter members in Pittsburgh. Approximately 200 youth ministry leaders attended the meeting, which, by all accounts was very upbeat. NACYML chair, Grace Cassetta, welcomed the members and called the first meeting of membership to order. Dr. Bob McCarty, executive director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry gave a brief history of the development of NACYML. Members then viewed a video of youth ministers from around the country who were interviewed as to why they joined NACYML. This led into table discussions around the questions: “Why I joined NACYML” and “What are my hopes for NACYML.” The effervescent and irrepressible Mike Patin concluded this segment of the meeting by sharing why he joined “alphabet soup,” referring to the acronym of NACYML. Mike spoke of how often youth workers are challenged by their peers as to when they will one day have a real job. His response was met with applause as he stated that he could “not think of a more honorable job” than that of a youth worker. Mike spoke of the three R’s that all workers in youth ministry should be striving for: Respect, Resources, and Remembering, all of which he believed NACYML would support. Following Mike’s presentation, NACYML members were invited to brainstorm in a roundtable discussion, three priorities for NACYML. Several members were given the opportunity to express the views of their table at an open mike wrap-up. The results were collected and will be shared in a subsequent e-mail. The gathering ended with a sending forth prayer. NACYML hosted an exhibit at the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry which opened immediately following our meeting. Over 150 more youth ministry leaders became NACYML members at the conference. If you would like more information regarding NACYML, please check out our public website at www.nacyml.org.		Name This Newsletter! We need an official name for the NACYML newsletter. Send your submissions to: mueller@diocesekcsj.org on or before June 20. The winner will receive a copy of the recently published National Study of Youth and Religion: Analysis of the Population of Catholic Teenagers and Their Parents.

		A Picture Is Worth... Do you know what these symbols mean? They are a shorthand means of expressing the Core Competencies in the National Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers. In this issue, Barb Legere provides an introduction to the Standards with "A Perspective from the Field." Her article is complemented by a resource page, always accessible from the newsletter navigation bar, that provides a summary of the core competencies and the specialized competencies for youth ministry leaders.

		The Year of the Eucharist In this issue, Deacon Bob Killoren begins a series of four articles corresponding to the Year of the Eucharist. In his first essay, "The Source and Summit of Christian Life," Bob starts with the invitation of Pope John Paul II to celebrate a year of the eucharist, beginning just six months before the Holy Father's death. Bob recalls the words of Vatican II which called the Eucharist, the "source and summit of the whole Christian life" and provides recommended reading and web links to key resources.

Other Feature Articles in this Issue... Soul-Tending: How are you taking care of yourself? See how a program in the Archdiocese of Baltimore provided rest and retreat. Sports Initiative: Introducing the National Center for Catholic Youth Sports (NCCYS). Professional Networking: "Sharing bread" takes many forms, including the support that comes from professional networking. Also, Jesse Manibusan contributes his reflections on the many ways music is a part of ministry and ministry is a part of music—and the song is the One who sings forever.

And Don't Miss the Resource Reviews... a look at the NSYR: the National Study of Youth and Religion the NFCYM as a resource for Catholic youth ministry an unexpected resource: the NFCYM's religious recognition program books provide good supplemental material for Sacramental Preparation programs

A Special Offer YOUTH MINISTRY ACCESS: One Free Month The Center for Ministry Development is currently offering a 13-month subscription to Youth Ministry Access for the cost of a 12-month subscription. To look at the site, visit the Center for Ministry Development website.