Connections January 2008: Contents

Highlights...




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On Becoming Youth Friendly By Matthew Schwartz Diocese of Rockford I grew up in a house with four brothers. We were all involved in sports and other activities throughout the school year and summer. What was business as usual around our house? I can only think of one word: containment. My family had to negotiate daily meals, transportation, bathroom time, homework, sharing of clothes, family obligations, and bedtime. In church, we were that family that took up the entire pew. I think that is why we were altar boys—so our parents could referee fewer of us in the pew. Parents of children of any age learn to deal with noise, mess, and chaos. Read More…		Leadership Perspectives From the NFCYM Board Chair Carole Goodwin Significant questions keep surfacing at regional and national gatherings of NFCYM members. Here is a sampling of such questions: What is our vision as an organization? What are the barriers to fulfilling that vision? When and how can we take time to do visioning? How is our vision connected to the vision of Jesus? Do we, as a diocese, or as a national organization, have a cohesive vision?” Read More…

'Round the Regions... ...reporting from: Region 5 … Region 7 …		A Look Back at the 2007 NCYC Bob McCarty (among other writers) helps us look back at the National Catholic Youth Conference held this past November in Columbus, Ohio. Read More… Also Featuring Grant Boosts Effort to Improve Adolescent Catechesis 2008 Membership Meeting Two New Columns What I'm Reading Best Practices

Register Your Diocesan Office on the Online Store As more diocesan offices begin using the NFCYM Online Store we are running into a small but good problem. Not every visitor to the store is allowed to see the following: Diocesan acrylic awards NCCGSCF medals and patches Help us make your visit easy. If you have not registered, please go now and make a costumer account. Go to the store and: click on Register/Login located in the pink box on the right-hand side of the store's home page. enter your e-mail address and check "No, I want to create a new account." then click on the "login" button. complete the requested fields. Once the customer account is set all diocesan offices should e-mail the contact information (first and last names) to Jakzeel Nuñez. Your account will be changed within 48 hours to reflect that you are authorized to purchase these items. After your account is altered you will need to login when you go to the store in order to see the aforementioned items. If you do not login, you will not see them.

And Don't Miss... Management Committee Report from the National Catholic Committee for Gril Scouts and Camp Fire. Collaborating Member Updates from ACTS Evangelism and Worship, The Australian Network of Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinators, Center for Ministry Development, Instituto Fe y Vida, National Pastoral Musicians, Teens Encounter Christ, and World Library Publications. An update from the National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders.