September 2025 Edition
We've got lots going on this fall and more coming! If you haven't had a chance yet, make sure to join our newly established GroupMe! Below lists the new additions for each section of the newsletter with easy buttons to access the sections quickly!
- NCYC Update: We are working on getting information out to NCYC group leaders. Stay tuned!
- Calendar: shares all the new additions with links! More additions will be coming for 2025-2026 in the next newsletter.
- Ongoing Formation: We've got information on our upcoming evangelization workshop and OCIA seminar.
September 2025
Youth Office Contact
Director of Youth Ministry
Maureen Quinn
573-635-9127, ext. 233
Assistant Director of Catechetical Formation
Mary Madelyn Mertes
573-635-9127, ext. 228
Administrative Assistant
Abby Thompson
573-635-9127, ext. 237
Moderator of Youth and
Young Adult Ministry
Fr. Joseph Luzindana
660-665-2466
Alphonse J. Schwartze
Memorial Catholic Center
2207 West Main St
Jefferson City, MO 65109-0914
2025 Catechist Workshops
Contact our office to schedule a workshop!
Wednesday, August 27- St. Patrick, Shrine of St. Patrick
2 Erin Cir., St. Patrick, MO 63466
- 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Wednesday, September 3- Immaculate Mary, Kirksville
716 E. Washington St., Kirksville, MO 63501-3179
- 6:30-8:30pm
Saturday, September 13- Moberly, St. Pius X
209 S Williams, Moberly MO 65270
- Catechesis in the Christian Life
- Topics covered: the vocation and spirituality of the catechist, goals of catechesis, guiding material on various topics in faith formation.
- 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Saturday, September 13- Hermann, St. George
128 W. 4th Street Hermann, Missouri 65041
- 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Youth Culture Resource for Catechists and Parents
This month's featured ministry resource is the Culture Translator from Axis. Each Friday their team sends out an email helping you stay up to date on youth culture- slang terms, popular memes, music, and media trends. If you've ever been confused by a kid saying "6 7", this is the weekly email for you! Click here to read past editions and sign up for the emails. It's Mary Madelyn's favorite way to keep up with what our young people are talking about.
Join the Dio Jeff City DREYM Team on GroupMe
This is a new(er) resource for our office that we are going to start using more with DREYM Team. This is a way for us to share resources, get quick feedback from others, share successes, add calendar invites, send out reminders. It functions much like text messages but is its own app (which can be accessed on your phone or a desktop computer) with more features such as events, polls or document sharing.
Event Calendar: We will be using the calendar feature which allows people to easily get the info, reminders, express interest and add things to your personal calendar.
Polls: We will use polls especially when needing quick feedback from people.
Topics: If this grows into something that is used often, then we will add topics that individuals can choose to join. For example there could be a topic on Jubilee year where people could share ideas they are doing in their individual parishes or there could be one for an event we are hosting that those who are going could join and share info throughout the event.
NCYC Update
All those who have registered for NCYC, you will be receiving a phone call by Wednesday, August 19 to confirm your count and touch base about the conference.
If you have not registered your parish group but would like to be on a waitlist please notify Abby Thompson ASAP at athompson@diojeffcity.org. We did purchase a few extra tickets and may possibly be able to accomodate.
By Friday, August 22:
- you will receive an invoice for the full amount for each person attending NCYC. This will be due by September 30 (original due date)
- Room Assignment Forms will be rmailed with instructions
- Individual Registration forms from the diocese will be emailed with instructions
By September 15:
- Indivudal Registration from the Diocese should be completed (Adults please complete this ASAP-ideally before Sept 15- so we can confirm Virtus)
- All Chaperones should be Virtus Compliant
- Shirt and Merch designs from the diocese will be released
After September 15:
- Individual Registration from NFCYM (hosting organization) will be emailed out. We will send more instructions with this as we get closer to this date.
Finally a fun update...It was announced this morning that Pope Leo is attending NCYC virtually on Friday, November 21 at 10:15am. Learn more about this here: https://nfcym.org/pope-leo-xiv-digital-encounter-at-ncyc/
Annual Retreat & New DREYM Day (NEVER TO LATE TO SIGN UP!)
August 22 New DREYM Day
Shelbina, MO
Friday August 22:
- 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Lunch provided
Cost: There is no cost for the new DREYM day.
All new parish religious education and youth ministry staff are invited to our New DREYM day. Come meet our office staff and learn what resources are available to you from the diocese. Topics will include safe environment policies, program support, resources from the diocese, and more!
August 22-23 Ministry Retreat
Shelbina, MO
Friday, August 22:
- Begins at 5:00 pm
- dinner, Holy Hour (currently our moderator is in Uganda but if he returns or we find a worthy volunteer we may be lucky enough to have mass!)
Saturday, August 23:
- 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
- Day of reflection
- Breakfast & lunch provided
Cost:
- $40 for both day, includes 3 meals and overnight lodging
- $20 for an individual day
Fall 2025 Calendar
September 13
Catechist Workshop, Hermann
Catechist Workshop, Moberly
September 19-20
One-day Evangelization Workshop
September 19- Columbia
September 20- Jefferson City
November 7-8
OCIA Seminar
November 7- Jefferson City
November 8- Columbia
November 20-22
NCYC
December 8
Way of the Star Advent program with the Vigil Project, Jefferson City
2026 Calendar
January 31
Summer Camp Registration opens
February 28
Missouri Catholic College Conference, Jefferson City
April 22-30
End-of-year Deanery Gatherings
Ongoing Formation
OCIA Seminar
November 7-8
November 7- Jefferson City
November 8- Columbia
This intensive workshop serves as a first step in renewing the vision of Christian Imitation in our diocese. Participants will receive an overview of the four stages of initiation and the accompanying rituals. Additionally, we will examine the pastoral principles associated with this ministry, as well as the role of the baptized faithful.
Anyone involved in OCIA is invited to attend.
This even is free thanks to the Knights of Columbus RIB Grant.
One Event - Two Locations
This year, we're trying a new event format where we have a one day event in multiple locations.
All parish leaders, employees, and volunteers are invited to join us for an evangelization workshop September 19-20.
Friday, September 19th we'll be at Sacred Heart in Columbia.
Saturday, September 20th we'll be at the Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter in Jefferson City.
DREYM Team Chat
All Chats will be recorded and posted on the website.
- Mark your Calendars for Upcoming Dates: 2nd Tuesday each month at noon
- September 9
- October 7
- November 4
- December 9
- January 13
- February 10
- March 10
- April 14
- May 12
These DREYM Team Chats are a way for us to check in with one another on a regular basis. Time will include diocesan opportunities and updates, special topic presentations with guest speaker, followed by time to share successes and challenges in parish ministry. This is a great place to bring questions, concerns and get updates.
Passcode for March Zoom recording: WW9K.4iP