Columbian Squires

Squires/Knights Join National Catholic Youth Federation

The Columbian Squires/Knights of Columbus joined the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) as a “collaborating member” during the NFCYM’s Annual Meeting, held in Rhode Island, January 28-31.

The NFCYM, based in Washington, D.C., is composed of 179 affiliated dioceses – 96 percent of all of the Catholic dioceses in the United States – and 61 national youth serving organizations referred to as “collaborating members.”

The NFCYM’s mission is “To serve those who serve the young Catholic Church.” By becoming a collaborating member, the Columbian Squires/Knights of Columbus can help in better serving young people in the Catholic Church, including our own Columbian Squires.

As a professional organization of affiliated dioceses and collaborating members, the NFCYM provides leadership, resources, services, and conferences for the education and formation of diocesan leaders, youth ministers and young people.

Among other services it offers, the NFCYM  organizes two major conferences, the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) held in odd numbered years, for young people, and the National Conference for Catholic Youth Ministry (NCCYM), held in even numbered years, for adults who work with youth. 

Thus, the next NCYC, under the theme, “Christ Reigns,” will be held November 19-21, 2009 in Kansas City, MO when about 20,000 Catholic young people from all over the nation are expected to attend. Columbian Squires, as future leaders in the Church and in the Knights of Columbus, are encouraged to register through their local diocese to attend the NCYC this November. A video of what a young person can expect at the NCYC can be viewed at the NFCYM website at www.nfcym.org.   Since many attending chaperones, including Squires counselors, are parents, there will be a special “Parent Track” on the agenda at this year’s conference.

The next NCCYM, for an expected 2,000 adult youth workers, will be held December 9-12, 2010 in New Orleans under the theme “March with the Saints.” The conference will feature speakers, workshops, an exhibit area, prayer and worship. Squires counselors who can attend will gain much insight and new tools to use in their work with Catholic youth.

The Columbian Squires/Knights of Columbus has previously sponsored and manned exhibit booths at one NCYC and two NCCYM conferences. Thus, becoming a collaborating member builds upon past involvement of the Columbian Squires/Knights of Columbus with the NFCYM and should help to build an even closer relationship between the two organizations, and their individual members, in the future.

Though Squires counselors may not often refer to themselves as “youth ministers” in the same way as parish youth workers do, Squires circle counselors certainly have many things in common with youth ministers, and the training and opportunities the NFCYM offers can be invaluable to anyone working with youth in a faith- based youth program, such as the Columbian Squires.

Because the Columbian Squires/Knights of Columbus is now a collaborating member of the NFCYM, Squires and counselors attending the NCYC or the NCCYM will be eligible to register at affiliate rates.

Counselors, Squires, and other Knights are encouraged to acquaint themselves with other services offered by the NFCYM. Such services and programs offered by the NFCYM include National CYO Sports (NCYOS), the National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders (NACYML), which is a professional association for individual Catholic youth ministers, online training courses, nationally recognized certification programs for youth ministers, and an online store. See the NFCYM website at www.nfcym.org for more information about NFCYM programs and services.