Youths from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bettendorf take a break from making candles as a fundraiser for the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis this fall.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
More than 520 high school youths, adults and Bishop Dennis Walsh plan to attend the bi-annual National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) Nov. 20-22 in Indianapolis. Costs for transportation, overnight accommodations, some meals and registration add up, so parish leaders work with the youths to help offset their expenses.
Kathy Schluter, director of faith formation and evangelization for Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bettendorf, said, “We tried very hard to think of ideas for fundraising that would be good for the parish community.” The idea is to “delight the parish with what we are selling and also delight them with a chance to see and speak with the teens.”
Earlier this spring, the youths learned to make candles formed in the likeness of Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus with leftover wax from altar candles. “The kids made them and they turned out beautifully,” Schluter said. Father Dane Dickinson, the parish’s parochial vicar, made about 15! The candle-makers boxed their creations with “fancy matches and a card telling how the candles were made.” The group also sold homemade scones, cinnamon rolls and cakes, which generated more than $3,000 for that effort alone.
Another fundraising opportunity involves Sock Religious, a company that produces funny Catholic socks and saint-inspired apparel, among other items. The parish receives a portion of the proceeds from sales, Schluter said.
“The kids who have the desire to go to NCYC, and the parents who make this experience a priority need support and encouragement from the Church. It’s not easy to grow in faith as a teen. NCYC is a place where the kids can have a mountaintop experience of the power of the Holy Spirit,” Schluter said. Eight teens from the parish plan to attend this year’s conference.
Paulina Loaiza, director of faith formation and youth ministry for St. Mary Parish in Pella, said their parish’s NCYC fundraising efforts collaborate with existing parish fundraisers this year.
Youths and their families assisted with a silent auction in February and with the weekly Friday Fish Fry during Lent that the Knights of Columbus organize. The youths assisted in the kitchen, served drinks and desserts and cleared tables. During the city’s annual Tulip Time, youths and adults worked together to take food orders and participate in food preparation.
“We are blessed to have some very successful opportunities already in place so it was very practical and convenient having such a large number of participants involved,” Loaiza said. This year, 32 youths and 14 chaperones will participate in NCYC.
“We know the utmost importance of offering youths and parents the opportunity for deeper encounters with our Lord. This is possible through experiences like our upcoming NCYC pilgrimage,” Loaiza said. “Bishop Walsh has echoed this sentiment as well when he talks about ‘leading our youth to an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ that changes everything.’ This intentional time together and away from our normal everyday busyness makes room for God to enter into our hearts and for the relational ministry we do in our short time with the youth weekly to go deeper.”
Loaiza added, “When you are surrounded by thousands of your brothers and sisters in Christ and particularly the vibrant, young Church it’s hard to not let God encounter you. My favorite take away from last time (2023) is how much our group connected with God in the sacraments.”
Susan Stanforth, director of religious education for Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport, said the eight parish youths planning to attend NCYC hosted a giving envelope fundraiser and explained the project to parishioners. Bright-colored envelopes were pinned to boards and displayed along with a dollar amount ranging from $1-$100. Parishioners could make a donation for the listed amount or one of their choosing. “We found people were very generous,” Stanforth said.
“It was neat to hear stories from different people who participated in NCYC themselves when they were in high school or had children and/or grandchildren attend NCYC! Some people chose their lucky number and gave that amount,” Stanforth said.
Sharon Crall, pastoral associate for St. Mary Parish in Albia and St. Patrick Parish in Georgetown, said 13 youths plan to attend NCYC. So far, they have sold quarts of soup and held a bake sale. Other fundraisers include sales of parish T-shirts and apparel, a raffle and Filipino egg rolls by the dozen. “NCYC gives youths a whole new experience of the Church,” Crall said. “We have always been successful in getting the cost for participants down to about $200 personal cost.”
Jessica Palczynski, director of youth ministry for St. John Vianney Parish in Bettendorf said her parish’s NCYC fundraising efforts include a “Giving Garden.” Laminated paper flowers with suggested donation amounts ($1-$100) were pinned to a board. After Mass, parishioners selected a flower from the garden. “The total amount is $5,050. Short, sweet and a lot of money to contribute to the trip! I anticipate doing this in the fall also.” Other fundraisers: promotional nights at Chick-Fil-A and Jersey Mike’s and a spaghetti dinner with Bingo.
The majority of the parish’s teens attend public school, so NCYC is an experience to be with other teens “who believe in the same things. They want to grow and learn about the same faith and bond over their love for Jesus,” Palczynski said. She described the NCYC experience as an “overwhelming feeling of the Holy Spirit … “It’s one of the best weekends to experience.”
Deacon Dan Freeman, parish life coordinator for St. Mary Parish in Wilton, said NCYC fundraising efforts include three trivia nights. In addition, “We plan to have a stock sale where parishioners can buy ‘stock’ in the participants. When (participants) return from NCYC, the stockholders will be invited to an evening of desserts to hear the personal experiences of those who attended as appreciation of their financial support.” Six youths plan to attend.
