Diocese Youth Conferences and Other Resources

The Diocese of Crookston is excited to kick off the 2023-2024 year of youth formation with the first annual Diocese of Crookston Youth Conference. Sunday Sept 24th, 10am - 6pm in Bemidji.

The theme of the conference is FOREVER CHANGED. As we embark on the Parish Year of the National Eucharistic Revival, we are reminded of the great mystery - the ordinary bread and wine that is forever changed to the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, that when consumed, transforms the heart and soul of those called to the banquet.

Join your peers from around the Diocese of Crookston, for a day of worship, praise, and Sacrament.

REGISTRATION:
The cost of the conference for students and adults is $60. Please See Sign ups at church in the entry.  Payment made out to St Mary's for student.  If adult attendee, please bring your payment to the youth conference. Checks can be made out to the Diocese of Crookston.

All youth attending the Diocese of Crookston Youth Conference must register online and have a parent/guardian complete the online Youth Liability / Medical Matters Form. 
Click here to be directed to the registration page (Crookston Dioceses Website)

Important Note: All adults attending the Diocese of Crookston Youth Conference must be registered and must have completed the Diocese of Crookston Safe Environment Training prior to September 18, 2023. Thank you for your attention to this. Adults not safe environment certified are not able to attend the DCYC. Safe Environment Training takes about one hour to complete online.

DCYC: Forever Changed Special Guests

Katie Prejean McGrady is the host of the Ave Explores podcast and The Katie McGrady Show on Sirius XM’s The Catholic Channel. She is an international speaker, and the author of four books. Katie also serves as the host of the Like a Mother podcast and contributes Family Mass Prep on the Hallow app. Her work appears in LaCroix International, Blessed Is She, Our Sunday Visitor, and Aleteia. She also is a commentator on Catholic issues for CNN and NewsNation. Prejean McGrady speaks at a variety of events including NCYC, Steubenville Youth Conferences, the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, and in dioceses and parishes throughout the world. Learn more about Katie here.

Joe Melendrez is one of America’s most exciting Catholic performers. He is a natural MC, a dynamic musical performer, an inspiring speaker, and an expert retreat leader. Joe Melendrez has forged a unique path to becoming one of America’s most exciting Catholic performers. At age fifteen, Joe was featured on MTV and developed a love for performing. Later that year, on a Teen A.C.T.S. Retreat, Joe encountered the awesome love of God. It was then that he decided to dedicate his life to sharing the Good News. Joe shares the Gospel in many unique ways, from his development of a faith-based clothing line, God Swagg Apparel, his release of four major Catholic hip-hop albums, to sharing the winnings from a college Chipotle contest (a year of free burritos), as a means to evangelize to different people with each meal.

From Los Angeles, California, Jon Martin is an independent worship leader and innovative song writer. As he travels across the country, he shares his faith through his music and ministry. After John’s awakening counter with God, he was compelled to pick up his guitar, sing and write songs of worship. National touring and stage presentations have allowed Jon to spread the gospel in the secular as well as the Christian world. Jon continues to lead worship around the country. His approach to worship is modern and compelling, with a purpose to lead people of all walks of life to encounter the living God. Jon has very present in the Diocese of Crookston leading worship at our summer camps, and the Padre Apla’s Leadership Program in Guatemala.

A young singer/songwriter, speaker and former youth minister from North Carolina, Dana Catherine travels throughout the U.S. to encourage and inspire others with her songs and witness. Growing up in a Catholic family, Dana always had a strong faith, but it was during college at UNC Chapel Hill that she began to understand that true and lasting happiness, peace and purpose is found in Christ alone. During that time, she realized God was calling her to share his truth and love with others using the musical gifts she was given. Now, Dana finds abundant joy in allowing the Lord to use her and her music for his greater glory. A skillful songwriter who blends captivating melodies with raw and honest lyrics, Dana has written every song on her debut album her latest EP. In 2017, Dana completed an Indiegogo Crowdfunding Campaign to support the production of her second project, which surpassed its fundraising goal within the first two weeks. After jumping back in the studio, Dana and her former label, Rekindle Records, released her latest EP, Nothing in the World, in April 2018. Featuring edgy and energized tracks like "365 Days" all the way down to acoustic, prayerful ballads like "I Will Follow," the record captivates with a sound and lyrical quality all its own. Most recently, Dana independently released her latest single, “Changes" in late 2021.