Consider taking part in National Catholic Youth Conference

Many NRVC vocation ministers took part in the 2013 NCYC.

Vocation ministers are invited to attend the November 19-21 National Catholic Youth Conference, to take place in Indianapolis.

The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) is a biennial conference sponsored by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. It is a three-day, high-energy experience of prayer, community, and keynote speakers for 23,000 teens, parents, and youth ministers from around the country. The 2015 NCYC theme is "Here I Am Lord/Aqui Estoy Senor."

Two ways to participate

NRVC invites its members to be part of this faith celebration. Two options are available to promote vocations. A religious institute may register as an informational exhibitor to rent a 10 x 10 booth to display and give away promotional items. Four credentials will be issued for each booth at a cost of $750 per space. Registration for exhibit booths must be completed online beginning in May 2015. The other option is to be present to youth as a volunteer on a registered volunteer team.

To meet the growing need of participants who desire to have a direct experience and meaningful conversation with women and men religious, vocation teams of up to six members will volunteer throughout the thematic park in assigned areas of service, crafts, prayer, and other interactive events. Each vocation team member will be given a T-shirt to wear and to unify religious life.   

Additionally, vocation teams will have access to and will serve as volunteers in the Nook, which is located next to the chapel. The Nook is a welcoming space where teens, parents, and chaperones can have meaningful conversation with and among religious sisters, brothers, and priests. Vocation teams are scheduled daily to be present in the Nook and thematic park throughout the three days. 

Vocation team members will also be encouraged to attend daily liturgies together as a group in the arena to be visible together as much as possible to promote religious life. One website for each vocation team will be placed in the NCYC program booklet.

To register as a vocation team, six credentials will be issued at a cost of $350 per team. Applications for vocation teams must be completed online beginning in May 2015.

Communities have the choice to register for both options (display table or volunteer). Additionally, vocation directors may choose to create a vocation team of six members from a region or from among various religious institutes. NRVC hopes that the ministry of presence of religious sisters, brothers, and priests will be integrated throughout the NCYC experience.

Sponsor a teen

New this year is the option to sponsor a teen to participate in NCYC. The registration for one teen is $215 per person. If your vocation team would like to sponsor a teen, there will be an option on the registration form to select to make a generous sponsorship donation. NFCYM will allocate the funds to the teen. Religious Institutes who choose to donate will be recognized in the program booklet.

To learn more about NCYC and how members can be part of it, please contact NRVC's Sister Deborah Borneman, SS.C.M. at (773) 363-5454 or debbiesscm@nrvc.net.

Comments from past participants

“I’m excited to have participated as a member of a team promoting vocations. This new model gave me many more opportunities to engage the young people in deeper conversations around the concept of their vocational call. I noticed that more of the teenagers approached me with their questions, observations, and overall desire to learn more about religious life. I also enjoyed the camaraderie among the vocation directors.”

—Sister Linda Markway, C.S.J., team leader for the St. Louis Archdiocese Vocation Directors

“This was my first NCYC and I had such a good time, I’m already looking forward to 2015! Being present at the Spirit Station and Inspiration Nook, our vocation team met countless youth who stopped by to talk with us and learn more about our way of life. We were inspired by their deep faith and their desire to put it into practice!”

—Father Adam MacDonald, S.V.D., team leader for a variety of religious institutes