Fourteen participants representing seven different faith communities in the Diocese of Helena joined more than 2,000 Catholic youth ministers at the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry in Cleveland, Ohio, during the week of Dec. 4-7. The theme was “Formed by Living Waters.”

The gathering was a tremendous convening of over 300 Catholic publishers, music producers, multimedia companies, colleges and much more.

“The group from the Diocese of Helena was overwhelmed by session after session of challenging keynote presentations,” said Doug Tooke, youth and young adult minister for the diocese.

“Each day presented multiple enriching workshops and a great deal of networking conversations,” he added, saying that national gatherings such as this encourage participants to return to their parishes with a renewed sense of direction in their respective youth ministry.

“Truly, all registrants throughout the country were formed in their faith by a renewal of their baptismal vows and an emphasis on the mission of their faith,” Tooke said. “NCCYM in Cleveland was a tremendous success. It is a boundless gift from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry to the workers in the vineyard of Catholic youth.”

The next NCCYM will take place in 2010 in New Orleans, La., where the theme will be, “March with the Saints.” All youth ministers, volunteers, campus ministers and interested adults are invited to attend.


Published in The Montana Catholic Online, Volume 24, No. 12, December 19, 2008.