The Gathering for Youth Ministry Leaders (Youth Ministers,

Directors of Religious Education, Core Team Members, Volunteers) offers:
• Spiritual growth and retreat
• Modern and creative ministry resources
• A strong community of like professionals that provides collaboration and new resources
• Dynamic presentations to expand your knowledge of the Church and youth ministry

The Gathering for Youth Ministry Leaders meets the second Thursday of every month, from September to May. A typical Gathering includes hospitality at 9:15am, a training session, Mass, and a complimentary lunch beginning at 12:15pm.

Contact the Local Outreach Department with any questions, suggestions or concerns.

Upcoming Gathering Dates

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2014-15 Youth Ministry Leaders Mass & Season Kickoff

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Save the date and launch the new year with Bishop Lee Piché, Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, who will preside at Mass and give us his blessing for our ministry ahead.

Later that morning, with us from Dallas, Texas, the one and only Michael Hoffman! Michael is one of the most dynamic Catholic speakers in the country with a heart and passion for youth ministry leaders. He has spoken to thousands of youth and young adults around the country. Engaging, entertaining, and powerful only begin to describe Michael.

Bill Dill, Archdiocesan Coordinator of Youth Ministry Events, will join the festivities and share youth ministry events and resources that are available through the Archdiocese. You will receive information on a wide array of ministry resources (training events, youth events, retreats) sure to complement and support you in your ministry.

Courageous Leadership: 5 Marks of an Effective Youth Ministry Leader

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Whether you stumbled into or studied youth ministry, it is without a doubt that you are a leader in your parish. The term “leader” can often be daunting and sometimes sounds pretentious, but the Church needs youth ministers who are willing to be true leaders.

Among other things, leaders have vision, integrity, and a passion to do whatever they can to help the Lord build up a new generation of saints. This day will focus on developing these and other skills, regardless of your youth ministry leadership experience.

Fr. Mike Schmitz is the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Diocese of Duluth. He has a powerful and unique gift of preaching and teaching making him a much sought after speaker at major Catholic conferences, parish missions, and youth ministry events.

Evangelizing and Discipling Your Leadership Team

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Are you convinced that the fundamental task of youth ministry is to launch young disciples? The concept of discipleship seems to be gaining greater and greater momentum in the youth ministry world. But how do you actually do it?

It’s a complex process with multi-faceted roles for both the youth ministry leader and other volunteers. This training day will get down to brass-tacks and very practical skills for intentional discipleship with young people.

You will learn:

• Fundamentals for evangelizing and discipling your own leadership team
• The critical skills needed to empower and equip your leaders for success – “Every Leader Should Be Able To…”
• Ten tangible steps for a successful launch of a small group with teens

Jim Beckman is a nationally known youth ministry speaker and trainer with over 20 years of experience. He has served in various roles of leadership in youth ministry on local, regional, and national levels. He has developed catechetical and youth ministry training resources for years and has served as a trainer for many national organizations, including Franciscan University and Life Teen.

Advent Morning Mass & Conference: The Joy of the Gospel

Thursday, December 11, 2014

If Pope Francis could sit down with a group of Catholic youth ministry and faith formation leaders, what would he say to them? What would his message be to this group? What might be burning in his heart for them…for us?

How might his message affect us and impact our ministry to, with, and for Catholic young people?

The good news is that Pope Francis has much to say to us as workers in the Church in his Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel).

With us this Advent season is Ryan O’Hara. A gifted and engaging speaker, Ryan will break open the Holy Father’s message to us, giving practical wisdom directly applicable to our work with young people. Ryan serves as Mission Director for St. Paul’s Outreach, a national Catholic ministry that evangelizes and forms college students on campuses across America.

Ignite Your Presentations!

Thursday, January 15, 2015

There are few skill sets more important to a youth ministry leader than the ability to hold an audience’s attention!

And your first impression is EVERYTHING. In the first 20 seconds you will capture their hearts and imagination or slam the attention door closed before you ever get to your point. The problem is that being an effective presenter is not on your DNA. These skills are learned. And these skill sets are needed whether speaking to teens, parents, or your ministry team.

So back by popular demand is Michael Hoffman!

In this highly interactive session, Michael will have you demonstrating some of the most effective ways to command attention, engage the imagination, and drive home your message in front of an audience.

Michael Hoffman has been igniting Fortune 500 organizations with his workshops and keynotes for over a decade. His firm, Igniting Performance, is a Dallas-based training and consulting firm specializing in the areas of leadership, sales, and customer loyalty. Mike has a passion for effective communication – what he refers to as “tactical communication.” And he has a tremendous heart for Catholic young people. He is a popular youth speaker for diocesan rallies and conferences.

And You Shall Receive Power

Thursday, February 12, 2015

It is impossible to fully do the work of Jesus without the power of Jesus. Far too many people ministering in the Church today are doing so under their own talent, drive, and inspiration rather than that of the Holy Spirit.

This is leading to frustration and disillusionment for many otherwise gifted ministers. Experiencing a personal anointing of the Holy Spirit is imperative for both a fruitful and grace-filled personal spiritual life and a powerfully dynamic and anointed ministry.

Learn and experience how a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit can change your personal spiritual life as well as your ministry. We will discuss topics such as the fruits of the Spirit, the role of the gifts in ministry, yielding to the Spirit, and the Spirit’s call to give witness to the Father.

Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, will lead our day. He is widely known for his dynamic preaching and teaching at Steubenville Youth Conferences and for his extensive work with Catholic youth ministry throughout the United States. He currently serves as the director of post-novitiate formation for the Franciscan province in Washington, D.C.

Organization Tools to Save You Stress, Time, Energy, and Money

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Have you or your ministry team ever felt ill-prepared for a ministry event and just wanted to scream, “We need to get organized around here!”? Do you frequently begin activities feeling only half-prepared?

So much to do in so little time, so many responsibilities, and so little support!

It’s an all too common reality for those of us who serve in what is the most challenging and demanding ministry in the Church: ministry to young people.

Getting organized is essential and forms the basis for effective ministry. With effective organization, your ministry events, programs, and activities can be fruitful and enjoyable – especially for you and your team!

Leading this session is Joe Roueche, Outreach Coordinator with NET Ministries. Drawing upon his 20+ years experience on the parish, archdiocesan, and national levels, Joe will share three practical and effective organizational tools which have served him well in the programs and teams he has successfully created over the years.

How to Gain, Train, and Retain Volunteers

Thursday, April 9, 2015

One of the biggest challenges facing any leader in youth ministry or faith formation is making sure you have a well-equipped ministry team of adults and young adults to assist you in the great mission!

Catechists, small group leaders, and other volunteers are the lifeblood of your programs. Without them, you will find yourself on the fast track to burnout. With a well-trained and cohesive team, watch what can happen.

Compounding this challenge is the reality of the fast-paced, busy lives of those we need and their many reasons for why they can’t assist.

So what does a ministry leader do? What can be done to secure the team that is so needed? Are there any secrets of those who are successful in building their team? What strategies and tips can be implemented for the building of your team this summer?

Mark your calendar and join this great session led by Annie Grandell. Originally from West Michigan, Annie came to the great state of Minnesota in 2001 to serve with NET Ministries. She is the Director of Youth Ministry for St. Mary and St. Michael of Stillwater and St. Charles of Bayport. Outside of her ministry in the St. Croix Valley, Annie speaks at a variety of youth functions around the region and serves on the Archdiocesan Youth Ministry Advisory Board.