Connections

“Thanks for letting me experience what support is supposed to taste like,” concluded one of the nineteen participants of the 2004 New Diocesan Directors’ Institute held May 15-18 in Washington, D.C. “This event,” responded another participant, “has helped to solidify my calling and my vocation” in Catholic youth ministry.

The participants examined the internal and external functions as well as the spirituality of a diocesan director of youth ministry. They visited the offices of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the NFCYM. They were briefed upon the National Certification Standards as well as discussed approaches towards inclusivity, troubleshooting, and remaining proactive. Nonetheless, time was still found for community, prayer, and touring the nation’s capital.

Participants included:

FIRST ROW
NDDI staff member Dennis Kurtz (Saint Mary’s Press); Greg Ramzinski (Lubbock); Mark Moitoza (Military Services); Molly McCarthy, (Jackson); Marcelino Luna (Little Rock); NDDI staff member Stan Cordero (Santa Rosa)

SECOND ROW
Lucia Rangel (Fresno); Michelle Maher (Colorado Springs); Rev. Christian Mathis (Knoxville); Clayton Imoo (Vancouver, Canada); Marissa Esparza (San Diego)

THIRD ROW
NDDI staff member Mary Ellen Ewers-Pena (Cleveland); Chris Culver (Fort Wayne-South Bend); Yvette Espinoza (Oakland); Michelle Mack (Orange); Kate Bergman (Arlington)

FOURTH ROW
Anthony Albence (Wilmington); Adolfo Mercado (Sacramento); Anthony Allen (Great Falls-Billings); Kathie Curtis (Jackson)

BACK ROW
Sr. Celeste Strohmeyer (Archeparchy of Pittsburgh); NDDI staff member John Campbell (Bridgeport); Angus McDonell (Chicago); and Bob McCarty (NFCYM)