The Office of Youth Ministry sponsored the third annual Diocese of Jackson Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC) on Feb. 14-16 at the Vicksburg Convention Center. Nearly 200 participants gathered from all over the diocese for the weekend celebration. The theme this year was “Holy Ground” coming from the Apostolic Exhortation from Pope Francis entitled Christus Vivit. This document was written with the young church in mind and addresses several key factors regarding faith and vocational discernment expressed by young people themselves. The theme comes from paragraph 67 “Each young person’s heart should thus be considered ‘holy ground.’”

The speakers and presenters focused on the value and worth of each young person in their talks and breakout sessions. The keynote presenter and worship leader for the weekend was Rita West of Covington, Louisiana. West led lively music before all sessions as well as worship music during adoration on Saturday evening. Father Nick Adam, Father Aaron Williams and diocesan seminarians led a session on Vocations Saturday morning. They focused on the importance of discernment and how they are working with young people all over the diocese in varying degrees of the process.
Youth ministers from around the diocese led breakout sessions on Saturday afternoon focusing on how holiness can be lived in everyday life. Other activities included small group sessions, games, Mass, reconciliation and a social on Saturday night. The weekend concluded with Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz.

This was the third year hosting the conference in Vicksburg. Groups from sixteen parishes representing five of the six deaneries were in attendance this year; parish group participation was up from previous years as was the overall attendance. For more information about events sponsored by the Office of Youth Ministry please contact coordinator, Abbey Schuhmann at 601-949-6934 or abbey.schuhmann@jacksondiocese.org.