Calendar of Events

Catholic Youth Office

Diocesan Youth Events and Services

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Catholic Charities Summer Institute (C2SI)

This is event is hosted in conjunction with Catholic Charities of Arkansas in July. This five-day immersion experience teaches teens about Catholic social justice issues and how the Church is responding through the ministries in Catholic Charities. The afternoons are spent assisting various nonprofits in the community that serve the vulnerable in society. These include: Our House, Universidad de Promesa and the Stew Pot soup kitchen. This community service benefits a wide range of cultures, ages and is also interfaith.

Catholic Youth Convention

Through this weekend event held in May, Catholic youth and their chaperones gather to renew friendships, learn and share unity in their Catholic identity as young people in today’s Church. Attendees learn about their faith and grow spiritually through the sessions offered. The Youth Advisory and Adult Advisory Councils plan and lead the event. The theme is featured in prayer services, general sessions, small-group sharing and Mass. Outstanding youth, adult leaders and youth groups are recognized and new YAC and AAC members are installed for the new year.

Diocesan Confirmation Retreat

This weekend event is co-hosted by the Office of Religious Education and Christian Initiation. It is a peer-led retreat for youth preparing to be confirmed during the school year. The objective is to provide programming for rural churches that might have a difficult time preparing and conducting their own retreat because of limited resources.

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Junior High Spectacular

This daylong program is designed to appeal to students in grades six through eight. It is a low-cost and highly effective program that includes a speaker, praise and worship, lunch and Mass. This offers younger Catholics an opportunity to get a glimpse into diocesan programming. It is held on a Sunday afternoon usually in November.

• Please note that this event has been moved to May 1, 2011 because of the Region X Catholic Youth Conference in Little Rock, Nov. 12-14.

National Catholic Youth Convention (NCYC)

This three-day national event is held every other odd year. It is an exciting experience of prayer, community and education for teenagers and their adult advisors. The schedule includes liturgies, general sessions and special activities such as concerts, exhibits and tours. The general sessions and workshops are designed to address a broad number of topics through a variety of learning methods.

Region X Catholic Youth Convention (RCYC)

This three-day regional event is held every other even year. This conference is composed of the dioceses in the Region 10 states of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Thousands of high school teens and adult chaperones gather to be part of the larger Church. The schedule includes Mass, general sessions and other activities. 

• The 2010 RCYC will be held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock on Nov. 12-14. See the Called to Serve newsletter for details.

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Search Retreat

This intense weekend retreat for 11th and 12th graders utilizes peer-to-peer ministry as its leadership. Search offers young people the chance to greater understand the meaning of Christianity in life and in the world. Besides experiencing God's presence, participants explore in-depth topics such as: Who Am I?; prayer; communication; reconciliation; and Who is Jesus? Search begins on a Friday evening and ends on Sunday afternoon. It is held at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. This retreat, which is open to teens of all faiths, is usually held in the fall (December), spring (February or March) and summer (June).

• Apply for the Search Team

• Search Team Reference Form

• Search 122 Registration Form

Senior High Youth Rally

This one-day event is designed to “kick-off” the new school year with God as the center of it all. It is formatted for 9th through 12th graders. It includes praise and worship, a keynote speaker, lunch and a community-inspired celebration of the Eucharist. It is normally held on a Sunday in September or October.

Weekend Extravaganza

This annual weekend of excitement is held at the Donaghey Student Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to coincide with the Arkansas Mass and March for Life in January. It focuses on right-to-life issues through a youth perspective. Activities begin on Saturday night and include a speaker, dance and “lock-in”. On Sunday after breakfast, youth go to the Statehouse Convention Center for the Mass for Life, which is followed by the March for Life to the state Capitol. It ends with the rally at the Capitol, which includes prayers, speakers and music.

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Services for Parishes and Youth Leaders

Adult and Youth Leadership Training

This annual workshop is provided to adult youth ministry volunteers. The sessions aim to equip leaders with the knowledge, skills, practical tools and techniques needed for creative and comprehensive youth ministry in parishes and Catholic schools. It is designed to nurture the personal, spiritual and ministerial growth of ministry leaders and build their confidence, competency and credibility to be effective among today's youth.

• Adult and Youth Leaders Training

• Youth Minister Certification Program

• Youth Ministers Resources

Assistance with Organizing Parish Youth Ministry

• Resources for Pastors

Called to Serve Newsletter

• Download the Current Issue

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Diocesan Committee on Catholic Scouting

• Catholic Scout Adult Leaders Retreat

• Diocese of Little Rock Boy Scout Retreat and Camp Out
  (to earn Ad Altare Dei/Pope Pius XII Religious Medals)

Protecting God’s Children Facilitation

Relationship with National and Regional Leadership

The diocesan staff of the Catholic Youth Ministries Office participates at both the regional and national level of Catholic youth ministry. Nationally, the diocesan staff is a participating member of the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) and participates in the national gatherings. Regionally, the diocese participates in meetings and activities of Region 10 (includes dioceses in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas).

Resource for Documents and Publications

Workshops, Training and Talks for Parish Youth Groups

Youth and Adult Advisory Councils

• Advisory Councils

• Application Form (PDF file)

• Goals and Responsibilities Form (PDF file)

• Youth and Adult Advisory Councils Retreat

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