National Catholic Youth Conference 2013 November 21 st – 24 th Indianapolis, IN

THEME  Signed: – We are signed with the cross in Baptism. We are immersed into the death of Jesus and into an intimate, lifelong journey with the Christian community. Baptism reflects the reality of sin as part of the human condition, and the liberation from sin provided by the death and resurrection of Jesus. – “I claim you for Christ our Savior by the sign of the Cross…” [Rite of Baptism]

 Sealed: – Confirmation celebrates the gifts of the Holy Spirit and our willingness to accept their transformative power in our lives. We are sealed with the Spirit, commissioned as disciples and empowered to act as Christ in the world. In Confirmation we are not given the Spirit so much as given to the Spirit for the service of others. – “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit…” [Rite of Confirmation]

 Delivered: – Jesus was delivered up to death and accepted that deliverance as an act of obedience and deep love. As a result, we are delivered from our sins and delivered into salvation. Jesus continues to deliver himself to us in the Eucharist and we deliver ourselves to one another in the reception of his Body and Blood – we take the one with whom we have been fed into a broken world in order to be Christ for one another. – “Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days,... ” [Communion Rite]

Thematic Park / Exhibits  The thematic park is a unique NCYC programming element. The park provides participants an opportunity to explore their faith interactively. The park includes traditional exhibit booths, where companies and organizations provide information and resources about their ministries, interspersed with interactive venues that include creative projects, prayer experiences, and a variety of service opportunities. The park also features a coffee house for participants to sit back, relax, and enjoy the music and ministry of various Catholic artists.

Recreation  With all that is offered at NCYC, by Saturday afternoon most participants are ready for a short break before closing liturgy. This is why from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM, NCYC turns it focus to engaging participants in recreational activities. Dance  Lead by top Catholic youth ministry DJs and featuring appropriate chart topping music, this dance attracts about half of the NCYC attendees.

Recreation Comedy Club  Featuring comedy performers and musicians in comedy sketches, the comedy club showcases the funny side of faith. Top Talent Contest Finale  Sponsored by Heart Beat Records and hosted by NFCYM, the Top Talent Finale highlights the gifts of the newest generation of Catholic artists.

Prayer and Worship  Prayer is an essential component of NCYC. Through prayer the Catholic Christian community is grounded in the Lord. The days are interwoven with various Catholic prayer forms, to give youth and adults alike, an experience of the breadth of prayer within the church.  Participants have the opportunity to experience and share in many forms of liturgy and prayer during NCYC—not to mention celebrating the closing Mass with 25,000 others!

Prayer and Worship  Meditation areas and a prayer center allow youth and adults the chance to pray and reflect either alone or in small groups. Mass is offered each day of the conference, as well as opportunities for the sacrament of reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration, recitation of the rosary, prayer through music.

Eucharistic Procession From St. John's Catholic Church to Indiana Convention Center, ending in 500 Ballroom Thursday at 5:30 PM Liturgy Thursday at 4:30 PM Friday at 5:30 PM Saturday at 8:00 PM Eucharistic Adoration Friday at 12:00 PM (Holy Hour) Saturday at 1:30 PM (XLT) Sacrament of Reconciliation Friday and Saturday 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM Chapel Hours (Ballroom 500) Friday and Saturday 11:30 AM to 6:00 PM

Music at NCYC  Music is a key element of NCYC. Over the coming weeks, NFCYM will announce the acts that have been selected to open for general sessions in Lucas Oil Stadium and for mega workshops in the Indiana Convention Center.  Later this fall, the performance schedule for the thematic park Coffee House stage will be posted. Confirmed Main Stage Musical Acts  Matt Maher Band

Security Youth are ALWAYS with chaperones Venues are secure and you can only enter if you have an NCYC Name badge (given at registration in Indianapolis)

Transportation We will be traveling by coach bus to and from Indianapolis. – Probably three stops on the way AND on the way back, actual number determined by bus driver – Food/drinks will be allowed on the bus

Lodging Once in Indianapolis, we will be staying at a hotel – We don’t have access to which hotel we are staying at however. Transportation to and from hotel will be bus or walking (depending on distance)

Gather as a church on a national level – over 20,000 teens and adults who care about teens Learn more about themselves and their relationship to the Catholic Church – workshops, keynotes, roundtable discussions, etc. Celebrate their Catholic Christian faith – Mass, Reconciliation, religious music and motion Benefits

Meet thousands of other Catholic youth Share beliefs and experiences Recognize their role in the larger Catholic Church – Inspiration Station thematic park areas Benefits

 Opportunities to talk with and ask questions of bishops – one on one, a panel discussion and “roundtable” chats

 Can you beat thousands of teens praying together?

 QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? SUGGESTIONS?

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