St. Mary of Vernon Alpha Omega Youth Ministry National Catholic Youth Conference November 16-19, 2017 Indianapolis, Indiana
The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) is upon us and the excitement is building! It is our hope that this packet will answer all of your questions and concerns regarding the conference. If you have any further questions please feel free to call Jim Welch, St. Mary of Vernon’s Coordinator of Youth Ministry, at 847-362-1021.
We ask that the parents read through and discuss the information found within this packet with their participant. Please understand that these are guidelines set forth not only by our parish, but also by the Archdiocese of Chicago and the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry.
CONFERENCE INFORMATION: What is NCYC? The National Catholic Youth Conference is an exciting, biennial four-day experience of prayer, community, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers and their adult chaperones. The schedule includes keynote addresses and workshop sessions addressing a wide variety of topics. There are also opportunities for liturgy, reconciliation, prayer and worship, recreation and special activities such as concerts, exhibits, and the interactive thematic park. Their webpage is http://www.ncyc.info
Where is the 2017 NCYC? Indianapolis, IN is playing host to NCYC 2017! Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, and the newly-renovated Indiana Convention Center will be the meeting sites for 25,000 Catholic youth from across the country.
TRANSPORTATION: We will travel to Indianapolis on a coach bus. The Archdiocese is coordinating the buses because of the large amount of teens from the many parishes attending the Conference. We will be sharing a bus with neighboring parishes (as yet unknown).
We will leave very early on Thursday morning. Once we know who we are traveling with we will work together to decide the “wheres” and “whens”. We will be encouraged to sleep on the bus on the way there.
We will depart Indianapolis Sunday morning, and return home that afternoon.
HOTEL: We will be staying at the JW Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, a landmark amid the five Marriott hotels connected to the Indiana Convention Center. This luxury hotel in Downtown Indianapolis soars 33 stories above the city. The Archdiocese has booked part of the hotel for our attendees to stay at Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. There will be up to 4 students per room. The hotel will provide a delicious hot breakfast each morning. JW Marriott Indianapolis, 10 S. West Street, Indianapolis, IN Hotel Phone Number: 317-860-5800
COST & ELIGIBILTY: ONLY St. Mary of Vernon high school teens whose families are registered parishioners may attend. Due to the generous donations by our parishioners to the Catholic Appeal, the Parish is able to give a substantial amount to the teens and chaperones attending NCYC 2017. This wonderful gift has enabled us to reduce the Convention cost to only $375/teen attendee and $100/chaperone! This amount includes transportation, 3 nights at the hotel, NCYC Conference Registration, a delegation gift, an SMV NCYC shirt, and an Archdiocesean sponsored dinner.
We suggest that each attendee brings $100 spending money. Attendees will be responsible for purchasing their own lunch and dinner at the Conference and to & from Indianapolis. Plan on purchasing 7/8 meals. At the Conference there is a “Thematic Village.” This area contains many booths with items for sale, including items from the music groups, keynote speakers, and other fun things that the teens may want to purchase.
EXCUSED ABSENCE: Students attending the Convention will miss two days of school. It is the responsibility of each teen to talk to their teachers about the absence and to get homework ahead of time, where applicable. Each student will receive a letter from the Bishop so that their absence will be excused.
ATTENDENCE: We will have routine “check-ins” throughout the day and the participants will verify with us which workshops they are attending and their plans for each day. Participants will not be considered “checked in” if we do not personally see them. They may not send another participant to check them in. Participants are required to be at all general sessions where we will sit as a group. They are also required to participate in two workshops each day. Outside of that there are many, many other projects, activities, social justice and awareness projects, personal development, and learning programs going on which the teens will be encouraged to attend.
MEALS Each person will be responsible for purchasing their own lunch & dinner on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and lunch on Sunday. Breakfast will be available at the hotel. The attendees will need to bring money for food. Bottled water at the Convention Center will likely be at least $2.00. You know what your adolescent eats, prepare for that. Youth Ministry will take a box of snack items for the teens to share.
SLEEP It is essential for EVERYONE that all participants (adults too!) get adequate rest. The conference offers an intense and full experience for all that attend. It is not fair to roommates and chaperones to have a handful of individuals stay up all night, be dragging all day, cranky, etc. It makes for a difficult living situation for all of us. In addition we do not return to the hotel until late in the evening, we begin our days early, and there is no time or place for naps at the conference! Please get good amounts of sleep every night of the trip.
TRADING ITEMS Another interesting and fun part of NCYC is meeting teens from many parts of the country and even the world. Youth exchange items with one another, hence collecting trinkets from people all over. We will be making and/or buying items for our teens to trade. Teens are encouraged to bring a backpack to carry all of their swag. SMV will have a suitcase dedicated to the “group” bartering stuff. We are from Region 7, which includes the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Start stocking up on your “COW” theme item because “cows” are the Region 7 symbol!
SUPPLIES Backpack – this is not an overflow suitcase. Swimsuit- Modesty is key! Personal toiletries ONE pair of good walking shoes Cell phone & charger LIMITED clothing – you will not be changing during the day... pack lightly Cow Trading items Refillable water bottle $100 for food & trinkets
LUGGAGE One good size suitcase should be adequate for the trip. In addition we want to you bring a backpack. Not only can you use this for the things you want on the bus, but also for keeping your bottled water, aspirin, markers, camera, maps, bartering stuff, etc. with you. So, please bring a backpack.
CODE OF CONDUCT All teens will need to sign a Code of Conduct. This document helps define behavior that is acceptable and unacceptable. If a teen is found in violation of the Code of Conduct, we have no other choice but to send the teen home at the parents’ expense. In addition, our parish could be prevented from attending further functions. It is our goal to have a fun, safe, responsible, faith-filled time. The cooperation of parents & participants is vital to that goal.
ARCHDIOCESAN & NFCYM REGISTRATION There will be additional registration forms from the Archdiocese and NFCYM. We will meet a couple of times before our trip to complete these registration forms. What to do at NCYC
Thematic Village: A key feature of NCYC is the thematic village (formerly known as the thematic park). Plans for the 2017 Village are being centered on how we are called to live out our Catholic faith across the country— from sea to shining sea. In the Village, you will find a combination of interactive games and activities, including hands-on service projects, with traditional exhibit booths. Participants can make a rosary, throw a football, hear live music, and pick up resources from leading Catholic publishers all in the same venue.
Featured Music Artist: TobyMac is a Grammy-winning Christian hip hop recording artist, music producer, hip-hop and pop artist, songwriter, and author. A member of Christian vocal trio DC Talk from 1987 to 2000, he has gone on to a successful solo career with the release of six studio albums: Momentum (2001), Welcome to Diverse City (2004), Portable Sounds (2007), Tonight (2010), Eye on It (2012), This Is Not a Test (2015). Between DC Talk and his solo career, he has sold more than 10 million albums and won seven Grammy Awards, including the 2016 Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. Toby is also the author of several books, including Jesus Freaks: Martyrs: Stories of Those Who Stood for Jesus and City on Our Knees. He and Amanda, his wife of more than twenty years, live in Franklin, Tennessee, with their five children.
Just a few Featured Speakers: Chris Stefanick is an internationally acclaimed author and speaker, who has devoted his life to inspiring people to live a bold, contagious faith. Through live seminars, videos, and radio spots, Chris reaches millions of people each year. He is the author of the Confirmation program, Chosen, which is used by a 100,000 teens each week and is helping to transform entire parishes. Chris is also the founder of Real Life Catholic, a Denver-based non- profit which operates as the headquarters for his various initiatives. Through Real Life Catholic is building a movement of Catholics who share the beauty, power, and truth of the Gospel with a world that has largely forgotten. With all of this, Chris is most proud to be Natalie's husband and father to their six children.
Fr. Joseph A. Espaillat II is a priest of the Archdiocese of New York. Growing up in Manhattan, he speaks three languages: English, Spanish, and Street! He holds a master's degree in church history from St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York. Fr. Joe is the pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church in the Bronx and director of the Hispanic Catholic Charismatic Center. He also serves as the spiritual director to Archdiocese's Office of Youth Ministry. He loves ministering the sacraments: celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, hearing Confessions, and proclaiming the Word of God. He loves working with youth and helping them encounter Christ. Fr. Joseph enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as playing softball, basketball, and kickball! He also enjoys watching movies, writing poetry and rapping. Father is also the founder of the ministry "Messengers of Christ."
Emily Wilson is a speaker, author, and musician who travels the world sharing her faith through witness and worship. She has been singing since she was a child and leading music since she was a teen. While attending Arizona State University, Emily began leading worship at church with Ike Ndolo. She earned a degree in broadcast journalism, but felt called to use her education in speaking and presenting to spread the Gospel. She worked for two years as a full-time high school campus minister, before transitioning to full-time traveling ministry in 2013. Emily published her first book through Life Teen entitled I Choose the Sky. It is a scriptural devotion with reflections on seventeen women in the Bible. The heart of her ministry is helping every person recognize their identity and worth in Christ. Ever the California girl, Emily lives in Southern California with her Dutch husband, Daniël.
PRELIMINARY APPLICATION Please Note: This is a Preliminary Application. You will be required to fill out additional forms in the future.
2017 National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)
This year SMV’s NCYC fee is $375 per student and $100 per chaperone. This form, along with a $100 non-refundable deposit is ASAP to hold your spot for the 2017 NCYC Trip. Second payment of $125 is due by September 15, 2017. Final payment of $125 is due by October 20, 2017.
Student Name: ______please print all information clearly
Address: ______(street)
City:______State:______Zip:______
Home Phone: ______Student Cell Phone: ______
Parent Cell Phone (1): ______Parent Cell Phone (2): ______
Student’s Age on November 16, 2017: ______Current Year in School:______
Student’s Email Address:______PLEASE PRINT VERY VERY CLEARLY
T-Shirt Size:______Fleece Sweatshirt Size: ______
High School:______
Parent/Guardian Name:______
Parent Email Address:______
I understand that there will be required pre-trip meetings for all NCYC participants to attend.
Student Signed: ______Date:______
Parent Signed: ______Date:______
ST. MARY OF VERNON 2017 NCYC Payment Form
This year SMV’s NCYC fee is $375 per student and $100 per chaperone.
Student Name: ______
Address: ______City: ______State: ____ Zip: ______
Home Phone: ______Parent Cell Phone: ______
Parent/Guardian Name: ______
Parent Email Address: ______
We have to pay the full balance to the Archdiocese of Chicago for NCYC in early September. If your student backs out, we lose hundreds of dollars. For this reason, payments cannot be refunded unless someone else fills your teen’s spot.
I understand that the payments are non-refundable after each payment deadline, unless another teen is found to fill my teen’s spot.
Parent’s Signature: ______Date: ______
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There is a one-time service fee of $5.00 on your first credit card payment only. Payments.
Please charge my credit card: ____Visa ____Master Card ____AmEx Exp. Date: ______Security Code: ______
Select which payments you would like charged.
___ $100 Non-refundable Deposit charged ASAP
___ $125 Non-refundable 2nd Payment charged on September 15, 2017
___ $150 Non-refundable Final Payment charged on October 20, 2017
Card #: ______Name on Card: ______Auth. Signature: ______
Paying by Check: _____ Attached is my check in the amount of $______
Paying by Cash: _____ Attached is cash in the amount of $______
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FOR OFFICE USE ONLY ____ Deposit ____ Second Pmt ____ Final Pmt ____ Excel
2017 NCYC Expenses & Payment Schedule as of 8/17/2017
Student’s NCYC Fee INCLUDES
Student’s NCYC Conference Registration Fee (a $225 value alone) Transportation via Charter Bus to/from Chicago & Indianapolis Hotel stay for 3 nights Hot Breakfast each morning at the Does NOT INCLUDE hotel Delegation Gift from the Archdiocese 7/8 Additional Meals SMV T-shirt Drinks & snacks at the convention Chicago Pre-NCYC gathering & center Send-Off Mass date tbd Souvenirs- t-shirts, music, etc. Archdiocesean Dinner one night Plan on at least $100 for meals and Conference trading items souvenirs Part of the Chaperone’s fees
NCYC Payment Schedule
Due to the generous donations by our parishioners to the Catholic Appeal, the parish is able to give a generous amount to the teens and chaperones attending NCYC 2017. This wonderful gift has enabled us to reduce the Convention cost to only $375/teen attendee & $100/chaperone.
We have to pay the full non-refundable balance to the Archdiocese of Chicago for NCYC in early September. If your student backs out, we lose hundreds of dollars. For this reason, payments cannot be refunded unless someone else fills your teen’s spot.
$100 Non-refundable Deposit DUE on/before……………………….…………… ASAP $125 Non-refundable Second Payment DUE on/before…….… September 15, 2017 $150 Non-refundable Final Payment DUE on/before…………….. October 20, 2017
If you are unable to pay the full amount, please talk to Jim Welch. Scholarships are available.