The Diocese of St. Petersburg is hosting the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry for the first time ever. The conference is organized by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and is held every two years to form, inspire and strengthen youth ministers and all who seek to accompany young people as they encounter and follow Jesus Christ.

The dates of the conference are December 6-8, 2018 and it will be held at the Tampa Convention Center.

The theme for this year’s conference is Unlocked and it was chosen for two reasons: 1) A connection to the local Tampa Bay culture (i.e. Buccaneers, Gasparilla, being on the water) and 2) A focus on unlocking potential in Church ministry while discovering the treasures of the Kingdom of God, treasures within ourselves, and especially the treasures within our youth.

Some of the main topics to be addressed are:

• Unlocking and Cultivating Our Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ
• Unlocking Missionary Discipleship: What does it look like to be a missionary disciple today? How do we help form and accompany young people into that life/lifestyle?
• Unlocking the Minds and Hearts of the Young

One of the highlights of this year’s event will be a Synod Panel on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment featuring some of the bishops who attend the October Synod in Rome.

Organizers of the conference recognize that priests are an important part of youth ministry and all priests can attend the conference for free!  Priests can register with the complimentary code: UNLOCKPRIEST.

“Tampa and the Diocese of St Petersburg was selected to host the 2018 NCCYM for more reasons than just our beautiful city. The selection committee was able to observe the growth in our Catholic ministry to the young. As we are seeking ways to Courageously Live the Gospel, the NCCYM will help to equip our parish staffs, educators, catechists, volunteers, and parents with effective resources, techniques, and insight so as to best grow the next generation of Catholics,” said Ryan Phelan, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Diocese of St. Petersburg.

Keynote speakers are Bishop Frank Caggianom, Diocese of Bridgeport; Bishop George V. Murry, S.J., Diocese of Youngstown; Katie Prejean McGrady, U.S. Delegate to Pre-Synod Gathering; Bishop Nelson J. Perez, Diocese of Cleveland; Fr. João Chagas, Youth Section of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and Sr. Josephine Garrett.

Bishop Gregory Parkes will celebrate the closing liturgy.

To view a video about the event, click here.

To learn more click here.