Heartfelt Thanks

Beginning a new organization brings many challenges and those of us who were appointed by the Board of Directors for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry to be the initial Leadership Team have lived those challenges. Last month the term of service for three members of that initial Leadership Team ended. Each one has played an integral role in shaping NACYML.

Dee Hawthorne is a volunteer coordinator of youth ministry for St. Bernardine Parish, Baltimore, Maryland. She brought to the Leadership Team the perspective of an urban parish minister and a volunteer for whom youth ministry is a vocation. Dee continually reminds us being professional is less about being paid and more about attitude, skills, and willingness to grow. She helps us grapple with how to be inclusive in the work of NACYML. Dee’s wisdom and perseverance are true gifts for NACYML. We wish her well as she continues to influence youth ministry nationally by serving as chair of the Advocacy Management Committee for the NFCYM.

Ben Weisse not only served on the initial NACYML Leadership Team but was also a member of the NFCYM Task Group that moved NACYML from a concept to a reality. Ben’s fiscal sense has served NACYML well. Ben spearheaded developing the business plan from which NACYML was formed. He has been treasurer of NACYML for the past three years; not an easy task as income fluctuates with membership rolls. Ben has kept NACYML fiscally responsible to both our membership and to the NFCYM. Ben recently moved from diocesan ministry to parish ministry, and is now the coordinator of youth ministry for Blessed Sacrament Parish, Madison, Wisconsin. Ben’s insights into the challenges and the transitions the church is experiencing, his sense of purpose and humor are genuine gifts for NACYML.

Megan Shepherd provided a great service to the task group that developed the plan for NACYML. Megan had struggled personally with some of the issues the task group faced when she and other youth ministry leaders in Chicago formed a local youth ministry association. Her wisdom from that experience was invaluable to our task group. Megan, assistant director of pastoral ministry at St. Ignatius College Prep, Chicago, Illinois also brings a campus ministry perspective to the NACYML Leadership Team. Megan, serving as NACYML secretary, was instrumental in the development of the Standard Operating Procedures for NACYML. Megan’s organization, understanding and appreciation of different settings for youth ministry, and her desire to connect youth ministry leaders are valued gifts for NACYML.

On behalf of the Leadership Team and all of NACYML, our deep appreciation and heartfelt thanks go to Dee, Ben, and Megan. We wish you well and know NACYML will continue to be blessed by your gifts and service.

A Warm Welcome

There were nine outstanding candidates for the Leadership Team this past fall. The discernment committee had the arduous task of discerning four of the nine for the Leadership Team. We thank all nine for stepping forward to be considered for a leadership team role in NACYML.

We warmly welcome to the Leadership Team:

• Randy Kollars, campus minister for St. Mary’s Academy, Portland, Oregon.
• Cathy Becker, coordinator of youth ministry and director of religious education for St. James Church, Rockford, Illinois.
• David Gallant, director of youth ministry, St. Mary's and Holy Redeemer Parishes, Portsmouth, Ohio.
• We welcome back Mary Mueller, coordinator of youth and outreach ministries, Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Shawnee, Kansas. Mary was a member of the initial, appointed Leadership Team and now joins the Leadership Team as a newly discerned member for a full term.

We look forward to new possibilities with new members on the Leadership Team.