Annual Diocesan Youth Conference set for Feb. 1 in Lawrenceville

December 16, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries graphic
Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries graphic

By EMMALEE ITALIA
Contributing Editor

Welcoming teens from eighth through 12th grade, registration is now open for the annual Diocesan Youth Conference, “The Journey,” planned for Feb. 1, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Notre Dame High School, 601 Lawrence Rd., Lawrenceville.

With doors opening at 9:30 for warm-up activities and music, DYC offers the opportunity to connect with other young Catholics of the Diocese through dynamic presentations, music, prayer, workshops and much more. Lunch will be provided, and the day will conclude with Mass.

“DYC 2025 has been inspired by our Church's Jubilee Year and its theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’” said Dan Waddington, director of the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. “It will be an exciting and powerful day as we challenge all participants to look at ‘the Journey’ through life they are on, become aware of where God is present, and to live life realizing that our strength and hope for ‘the Journey’ can only come from Him!”

Keynote speaker for the day will be Brandon Morel – a Catholic Hip Hop artist who also goes by the handle “The Symbol.” Morel is a husband, father, international performing and recording artist, youth minister, retreat leader and co-host of the “Sainthood in the City” podcast. Currently serving as director of youth evangelization and digital ministry in St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Brooklyn, N.Y., Morel has worked in youth ministry for 15 years, combining his passion for youth outreach and digital innovation as primary coordinator for the VBCC Ambassador Program for the Diocese of Brooklyn. More information is available at http://www.bethesymbol.com/about.html.

As in previous years, DYC will include a service project activity. This year, participants will make “Boxes of Joy” used to help children in poverty around the world receive a special gift and learn about the gift of Jesus. The goal is to assemble more than 400 Boxes of Joy during the conference.

Participants can help ahead of the DYC by collecting or donating some of the needed items or making a financial donation toward supplies and shipping. A full list of needed items and sign-up form are available at https://dioceseoftrenton.org/dyc-service-project.

Registration for DYC by Jan. 16 includes a free DYC T-shirt; Jan. 27 is the last day for advance registration for $25. Individual walk-in registration at DYC is $35. Further details and registration forms are available at https://dioceseoftrenton.org/dycregistration2025.

To see highlights from previous DYC events, visit https://dioceseoftrenton.org/dyc.


Related Stories

Welcoming teens from eighth through 12th grade, registration is now open for the annual Diocesan Youth Conference, “The Journey,” planned for Feb. 1, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Notre Dame High School, 601 Lawrence Rd., Lawrenceville.

With doors opening at 9:30 for warm-up activities and music, DYC offers the opportunity to connect with other young Catholics of the Diocese through dynamic presentations, music, prayer, workshops and much more. Lunch will be provided, and the day will conclude with Mass.

“DYC 2025 has been inspired by our Church's Jubilee Year and its theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’” said Dan Waddington, director of the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. “It will be an exciting and powerful day as we challenge all participants to look at ‘the Journey’ through life they are on, become aware of where God is present, and to live life realizing that our strength and hope for ‘the Journey’ can only come from Him!”

Keynote speaker for the day will be Brandon Morel – a Catholic Hip Hop artist who also goes by the handle “The Symbol.” Morel is a husband, father, international performing and recording artist, youth minister, retreat leader and co-host of the “Sainthood in the City” podcast. Currently serving as director of youth evangelization and digital ministry in St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Brooklyn, N.Y., Morel has worked in youth ministry for 15 years, combining his passion for youth outreach and digital innovation as primary coordinator for the VBCC Ambassador Program for the Diocese of Brooklyn. More information is available at http://www.bethesymbol.com/about.html.

As in previous years, DYC will include a service project activity. This year, participants will make “Boxes of Joy” used to help children in poverty around the world receive a special gift and learn about the gift of Jesus. The goal is to assemble more than 400 Boxes of Joy during the conference.

Participants can help ahead of the DYC by collecting or donating some of the needed items or making a financial donation toward supplies and shipping. A full list of needed items and sign-up form are available at https://dioceseoftrenton.org/dyc-service-project.

Registration for DYC by Jan. 16 includes a free DYC T-shirt; Jan. 27 is the last day for advance registration for $25. Individual walk-in registration at DYC is $35. Further details and registration forms are available at https://dioceseoftrenton.org/dycregistration2025.

To see highlights from previous DYC events, visit https://dioceseoftrenton.org/dyc.

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Catholic Schools Week 2025 continues with prayers, celebrations
For Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., days four and five of ...

US bishops call for prayer after deadly DC air collision claims dozens of lives
U.S. Catholic bishops – joined by Pope Francis – are calling for prayer...

Notre Dame students work to help Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
In the fight against blood cancers, two remarkable students from Notre Dame High School ...

Pope sends condolences to families, US for midair collision near DC
Pope Francis offered his condolences to the families of...

Morality of AI depends on human choices, Vatican says in new document
Technological progress is part of God's plan for creation," the Vatican said...


The Evangelist, 40 North Main Ave., Albany, NY, 12203-1422 | PHONE: 518-453-6688| FAX: 518-453-8448
© 2025 Trenton Monitor, All Rights Reserved.