Presentation Topics

This talk invites youth to look at vocation in terms of what gifts God has given them and what ways they can respond to God's call. They're presented with a broad view of vocation as responding to our "universal call to holiness" (Lumen Gentium), while challenging the youth to discern their personal vocation to marriage, priesthood, the single life or the consecrated religious life. In a world that offers so little affirmation, this session will allow youth to be confident in their abilities and encouraged about the ways that they can build the Kingdom of God in their own lives!

The Holy Spirit is active in every moment of our lives. The same Holy Spirit that was present in the creation of the world and Pentecost is making us holy and bringing us closer to God today. But how do we know that the Spirit is always with us? And what is the Sacrament of Confirmation really about? Through this talk, youth are challenged to recognize the action of the Spirit in their own lives, and especially in their everyday friendships and struggles. They'll begin to see the ways that God is working through them and speaking to them, and they'll be empowered to see their faith in fresh and exciting ways.

Our God is a God of life and love, and human sexuality is a gift that communicates that same life and love when used the way God intended. But for many youth, sexuality can be confusing or even damaging – especially with the ways that sex is misunderstood and misused in our culture. This talk draws from Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body teachings, the realities of high school dating, and adolescent physiology to connect with youth about the beauty of sexuality and healthy relationships. Youth will learn about the great and holy gift of sexuality and be stirred to change their lives to honor that gift.

One of the great virtues of the Church is the way that she responds with love to the poor and the oppressed. This is also one of the great virtues of our youth, who are so ready to respond to those in need all over our world. The better that our young people can understand the great Social Teaching of the Church, the better they can be disciples of Christ. In this talk, youth are given real and honest examples of the basic tenets of Catholic Social Teaching, including models of justice and love. They are presented with some injustices of the world and how they are being called to respond in whatever ways they can. They are, in the end, invited to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31).