Here's some information from CYM and other great organizations:

1. Do you want to know what makes parish youth ministry effective? Learn from two years of research by attending the Effective Practices in Dynamic Youth Ministry Seminar on Thursday, April 22, 2004 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. To register, visit the CMD website. Be sure to enter the coupon code WILDEL to receive a discount!

2. We've updated Consent and Release Forms that you might find useful. This site now includes permission forms if you're taking a group to see The Passion of the Christ, if you plan to use pictures of an event in parish publications, or if you'd like an Annual Consent form granting permission to take pictures at events for the purpose of advertising your parish's ministry with youth.

3. The next session of the 2003-2004 Youth Ministry Institute will feature a double dose of great presentations. This Saturday, April 3, 2004 at St. Thomas More Academy in Magnolia, DE. For full workshop descriptions, visit here. To sign up at this late date, call CYM at 302-658-3800 today!

4. CYM is co-sponsoring a Lenten Young Adult Retreat, in partnership with the Franciscan Spirituality Center, on Saturday, April 3, 2004. The retreat will take place from 10:00am-3:00pm at the Center (in Aston, PA, just north of Wilmington). Registration ends April 1, 2004. Cost is $30.00 (including lunch), and a $10.00 deposit will reserve your space. To register, contact Anthony Albence.

5. Do you have the appropriate youth ministry training? If not, plan now to attend the nationally-recognized Youth Ministry Certificate Program, sponsored by the Center for Ministry Development. This professional level certificate program provides a comprehensive grounding in the theory and practice of comprehensive youth ministry in a parish setting. For more information click here.

6. Look for registration info soon on the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry, to be held December 2-5, 2004, in Pittsburgh, PA. If you'd like to be included in the initial mailing of registration materials, please send an email to CYM.

7. The Youth Events Management Committee of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry has begun its search for a theme song for the 2005 National Catholic Youth Conference scheduled for October 27-30 in Atlanta. The conference theme is "Winds of Change." If you are a musician or know a musician who may be interested in submitting an original song for consideration, please download a flyer today.

8. Don’t miss the Delaware Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, 4/24, from 1:00pm-5:00pm at St Anthony in the Hills (6742 Limestone Road, Avondale PA.) A special invitation to young adults to join others at this fun event featuring live music, prizes, great fun, and all the chili you can taste! Enter your chili in the cook-off as well! For more details and to register, contact Reyn Cierniak at (302) 239-5182. Cost is $7.00 for adults/$15.00 for families—and children under 12 are free.

Quotable: "Deep within your soul there is a knowing place, a sanctuary where gifts are nurtured. Enter that sacred space. Spend time there tending your gifts. There, in the chapel of your heart, you will become a gift to be given." Macrina Wiederkehr