Early in February I traveled to the Annual Membership Meeting of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), which has been rebranded as “Exchange“. Exchange occurs in the first week of February, moving around the country annually. This year we gathered in Colorado Springs with about 150 youth ministry professionals in attendance, mostly folks who are diocesan youth ministry directors or executive directors of youth-serving Catholic ministries. it was a great opportunity to network and share with other professionals in my field.
It’s encouraging to meet so many faith-filled and gifted men and women from every corner of our country. This year we were joined by Bishop Joseph Espaillat of the Archdiocese of New York, who preached and led us in worship multiple times. Another highlight was Dr. Julie Sadusky, who gave a truly helpful presentation on gender issues affecting youth and those who serve them. The prayer experiences at Exchange were very rich this year with Thomas Muglia leading worship beautifully. I have always enjoyed the Litany of Humility, which TEC communities in the state of Kansas had shared with me years ago, but I had never heard it set to music as beautifully as Thomas Muglia has done.
This gathering was particularly helpful for TEC in that I was able to have several conversations which I pray and expect will benefit TEC in several dioceses where it already exists and in other dioceses which hope to begin a new TEC community in the coming months and years. Particularly there is momentum and strong desire to bring TEC to the Northern Indiana area where several dioceses intersect. Also, the diocese of Sacramento, California is very interested in beginning TEC and Quest. Additionally, I had the opportunity to share a private meal with Bishop James Golka, Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs. Bishop Golka has TEC experience from his years serving as a priest in the Diocese of Grand Island. We had a wonderful meal and a truly memorable conversation about family, life, and ministry and our beautiful and complicated Church.
For about a decade, I have served on the hospitality team for this annual gathering. This group remains a warm community of friends who are passionate about being the welcoming face and friendly smile for our coworkers in the vineyard. At the end of my time in Colorado Springs, I traveled to Denver and shared a meal with Bernie DeSantis, a TEC friend from New Orleans who now serves as a campus minister in Denver. Bernie and I enjoyed an excellent Vietnamese meal with Ron Marinelli of Rocky Mountain TEC and the TEC Conference Spirituality Ministry Team. The restaurant is owned by the parents of one of Bernie’s former students, and they warmly welcomed us.
I remain grateful for the opportunity to travel on behalf of TEC and to share our awesome ministry with others!
Billy O on the Go: 2019 Annual Membership Meeting
By: Billy O'Regan
The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) is an organization that provides leadership and a place for youth ministry collaboration in the US. NFCYM is best known for its three big events: NCYC, NCCYM, and Holy Fire. Less well-known (but just as important) are the various ways that NFCYM provides formation and support for diocesan youth ministry leaders and others invested in our youth.
In my years serving at the TEC Conference, participating in NFCYM’s Annual Membership Meeting (AMM) has been a highlight for me. While this gathering of diocesan and other youth ministry leaders from around the country is a working meeting, I find it to be so much more. At AMM, I have found a reliable and life-giving source of fellowship among other Catholic youth ministry leaders.
This year’s meeting (February 4-7, 2019) was attended by more than 160 diocesan directors, organizational leaders, and others. The gathering included rich prayer experiences and excellent formation opportunities related to inclusive and multicultural ministry. Smaller working groups made progress on important projects, including NCYC and NCCYM. As the chair of the AMM hospitality team, I helped to make participants feel welcomed and connected. This also gives TEC additional exposure and brands us as a friendly and welcoming ministry. TEC was also invited to organize an evening prayer; Steve Angrisano, Karl Dolson (LouTEC), Alison Tate (TEC of Central Texas,) and Rick Cheek (Sunflower TEC) helped me to lead our prayer service, which was warmly received.
Billy O enjoying dinner with Region 5 members at AMM
For me, the greatest value in participating in this annual gathering is the time I have with diocesan leaders. This year, I was able to connect with several diocesan directors who already have TEC in their diocese. These visits help to strengthen their connection to the TEC Conference and make me aware of the struggles and successes that some of our affiliate TEC communities experience. I was also able to meet with diocesan directors who are searching for a ministry like TEC to serve their young people. Exploring “what TEC is” and “what TEC is not” with these ministry leaders is a great way to broaden TEC’s horizons. The most notable series of conversations revolved around the dream of bringing TEC to the Diocese of Cheyenne in Wyoming. Please pray for this project and let us know if you are aware of “TEC people” who already live in the diocese!
Because this year’s AMM met in Colorado Springs, I had the opportunity for two important side visits. First, I was able to visit with the leaders of the TEC community at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. This community has been on the grounds of the Academy for more than a decade and was getting ready for TEC #36 at the time of our meeting. They have been a little disconnected from the TEC Conference in recent years, and this face-to-face opportunity was very helpful. It was no surprise to find joyful, competent, and faith filled leaders at the Air Force Academy TEC! Finally, before flying home, I was also able to share a meal with Ron and Rebecca Marinelli of Rocky Mountain TEC. This community has been dormant in recent years but seems poised for a comeback if a couple of logistical issues can be surmounted! It was great to brainstorm and share some encouraging words with a dedicated couple. I am always grateful for the people my travels lead me to and am especially grateful for a productive and fruitful Annual Membership Meeting.
Billy O, Karl Dolson (LouTEC), and Fr. Josh Janko (USAFA) meet up at the Air Force Academy to discuss USAFA TEC.
Billy O on the Go: 2018 NCCYM Review
By: Billy O'Regan
On December 6-8, 2019, 1,700 youth ministry professionals and dedicated youth ministry volunteers from around the United States and beyond gathered in Indianapolis for three days of fellowship, formation, and prayer. The National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry (NCCYM) takes place every other year and is the largest gathering of its kind in the country.
Along with the incredible general sessions, prayer gatherings, and workshop sessions, an exhibit hall provided a place for vendors and youth ministry organizations from around the world to proudly display their offerings for diocesan and parish ministry leaders.
As it has been for more than a decade, the TEC Conference was present in the exhibit hall, representing the TEC movement. The booth was staffed by Billy O’Regan (Executive Director), Joe LaScala (Leadership Council Chair), and several volunteers, including Claire Gallagher (TEC New Orleans), David Walker (Wichita TEC), and Sierra Altenstadter (LouTEC). Several of the 2018 National Catholic Youth Ministry Award recipients who were honored at the event have been involved with TEC for many years, including Brigitte Burke, Michael Hall, Paul Mach, Patrick Rinker, and John Smestad, Jr.
Our presence at NCCYM gave us the opportunity to reconnect with TEC leaders from around the country and meet new TEC leaders who have recently begun their terms on their local core teams. Billy was also able to meet and connect with diocesan leaders who are looking for a ministry like TEC. In the weeks since, we have been following up with these interested parties to explore the possibility of starting TEC in their dioceses.
Beyond the practical, it was also a welcome opportunity for spiritual renewal and encouragement for our Executive Director and other TEC leaders. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this venture so successful and everyone who stopped by the TEC booth to visit and reconnect!
Early in February I traveled to the Annual Membership Meeting of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), which has been rebranded as “Exchange“. Exchange occurs in the first week of February, moving around the country annually. This year we gathered in Colorado Springs with about 150 youth ministry professionals in attendance, mostly folks who are diocesan youth ministry directors or executive directors of youth-serving Catholic ministries. it was a great opportunity to network and share with other professionals in my field.
friendly smile for our coworkers in the vineyard. At the end of my time in Colorado Springs, I traveled to Denver and shared a meal with Bernie DeSantis, a TEC friend from New Orleans who now serves as a campus minister in Denver. Bernie and I enjoyed an excellent Vietnamese meal with Ron Marinelli of Rocky Mountain TEC and the TEC Conference Spirituality Ministry Team. The restaurant is owned by the parents of one of Bernie’s former students, and they warmly welcomed us.
