Volume 1, Issue 2

Welcome to Laddersonline, the virtual newsletter for the Office for Catholic Youth Ministry of the Diocese of Wilmington! We have updated our mailing list to include Athletic Associate Presidents, Principals, Directors and Religious Education, and more. To unsubscribe, please see the link below. Reading time for this issue: 8 minutes.

In this issue, please find the following:

 Plus, a repeat of news some of you may not have received:

 * NCYC Update

Final payments are now past due. Packets with all final information were sent out last week. For departure information and an update on commonly asked questions since the mailing, visit http://www.cdow.org/cymnational.html.

 * Theology On Tap

You’ve heard of it in other dioceses, but now it’s here in Wilmington.  Theology on Tap is a four-week speaker series focused on topics of faith and religion that directly affect the lives of young adults (ages 21 – 39).  Theology on Tap originated in the Archdiocese of Chicago and has spread throughout the country as a vital and popular component of young adult ministry.  TOT provides a forum for young adults to learn about and discuss their faith in a relaxing social setting.  The series will run four consecutive Thursday evenings beginning on Nov. 29th at O’Friel’s Irish Pub in Wilmington beginning at 7:00 pm each evening.  Download a flyer at http://www.cdow.org/cymladders.html and spread the word among your young adults! 

 * Nexus Update

This high school conference is set for March 10, 2002 at St. Mark’s High School. Please watch for registration materials. This year’s theme: Seeking Justice, Finding Peace. If you are interested in leading one of the breakout sessions, please email CYM at catholicyouth@cdow.org.

 * March for Life

This annual event is scheduled for January 22, 2002 and CYM will again organize buses to and from the event. If you are interested in sending a group from your school or parish, please email CYM at catholicyouth@cdow.org.Registration materials will be sent out before December 1, 2001 and will include ways your class, parish or team can actively promote respect for all human life.

 * Summer Immersion Opportunity

We need your input! If a one-week summer immersion experience were offered to high school youth from around the Diocese of Wilmington, would your young people be interested? Please visit http://www.cdow.org/cymjoinup.html for more information and then let us know your thoughts.

 * Athletic Updates

- The CYM Athletic Handbook is now just a click away! Visit http://www.cdowcym.org/athlman/ to check out the rules and regulations. Only a one-page summary of the CYM Athletic Handbook will be given out to coaches at pre-season coaches meetings to save paper and money. 

- Remember that rosters along with appropriate parent consent forms must be received in the CYM Office by Monday November 26th.

- The CYM Cheerleading Competition will be held at St. Mark's High School on Sunday November 25th at 1:00 PM.

 * YLI Dates

Mark your calendars for YLI 2002 at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, DE from July 14-19, 2002. Registration materials will be distributed after February 1, 2002.

 * War Update

Bishop John Ricard, SSJ, Board Chairman for Catholic Relief Services, has called the CRS community around the world to fast one day a week until Christmas, as a witness to peace and as an act of solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world, especially those whose lives have been irrevocably changed by war and violence. Bishop Ricard suggests we fast on Friday, as Friday is the traditional day of fasting for Christians and is considered a holy day for Muslims, who will be fasting during the month of Ramadan. We invite you to join us in this fast.

 * World Youth Day 2002

Registration is now open for WYD 2002 in Toronto – and it’s all online! Just log onto http://www.cdow.org/cymyouthday.html and follow the directions. All the information is there, so click, print, fill out, pay and send it in to reserve your space. Remember that everyone must register through his/her home diocese to attend, so please log on today!

 * New Food Fast materials
The 2001-2002 Food Fast Coordinator's Manual and Video are now available! (This national program has some local ties this year; the new curriculum was co-authored by our diocesan director, Patrick Donovan.) Food Fast is a 24-hour experiential hunger awareness program designed for youth in grades 8-12.  Participants are challenged to help reduce world hunger and poverty through prayer, reflective activities, and action.  It also incorporates Catholic Social Teaching and the reality of severe inequalities in resource allocation.  The new video describes stories of children in India who cannot attend school because they are forced to work to help support their families.  Materials are available in English and Spanish.  To order your own materials, visit http://www.catholicrelief.org/foodfast.html.

 * Chesapeake Bay Conference

Early Registration closes December 1, 2001 for this biennial Region XIV Adult Conference. Visit http://www.cdow.org/cymnetworking.html for more information and to download a brochure.

 * Diocesan Youth Board Information

Many people have inquired about the status of this year’s Diocesan Youth Board and CYM appreciates your patience. Plans for this year’s youth board are on hold, but we are recruiting a leadership team for Nexus, the high school youth rally set for March 10, 2002. If you have a young person (9th-12th grade) interested in participating, have them e-mail us at catholicyouth@cdow.org.

Copyright 2001, Office for Catholic Youth Ministry.