“When the Diocese of Charlotte was formed in 1972, Father Edward Sheridan was serving as CYO director, and the Office of Youth Ministry became an outgrowth of the Office of Education.

In 1974-1975, Youth Ministry was seen to be among the four greatest needs of the new Diocese by the Diocesan Assembly. In response to the need, Bishop Begley appointed Father Wilbur Thomas, Father Jeff Burton, S.J., and Jay Reynolds to a diocesan team to study and begin to implement the “Vision of Youth Ministry” as set forth by the United States Catholic Conference…Out of these early efforts in developing the ministry came the first major Diocesan Youth Conference attended by 173 young people.”

Our Lady of the Hills Camp

Of great impetus to the ministry was the appointment, in 1979, of Father Jeff Burton, S.J. and Julie Rochelle as full-time directors. The same year saw the acquisition of a building at Our Lady of the Hills Camp which [became] a year-round Youth Center, where all the programs [could] be carried on, with a permanent facility for the staff.

Diocesan Youth Council

A Diocesan Youth Council initiated in 1979, [was] composed of two delegates and two alternate delegates from each of the nine vicariates. The Council [met] twice a year with the Youth Ministry staff to evaluate programs and make suggestions.

The ministry has grown a more and more youth are reached. In 1979, two CHALLENGES served 58 youth (9-10th grades); in 1980-1981, four CHALLENGES reached 210 youth. In 1978, four SEARCHES touched 120 youth (11-12th grades); in 1980-1981, six SEARCHES touched 210 youth. Youth Conference attendance has risen yearly from 173 in 1977 to 367 youths and their leaders in 1981.

Three Regions Originated

To help parishes better serve the needs of their youth, the three full-time Ministry Staff in 1981 planned to subdivide the Diocese into three regions in order to facilitate visiting parish pastors, youth ministers, schools, and youth groups.

• Region A- Vicariates of Smoky Mountain, Asheville, and Boone were visited by Mike Hagarty
• Region B- Vicariates of Albemarle, Gastonia, and Charlotte were served by Kendra Wolfe
• Region C- Vicariates of Hickory, Winston-Salem, and Greensboro, By Father Jeff Burton

In summer of 1981, the Youth Ministry of the Diocese hosted a Christian Leadership Institute in Belmont. Over 125 youths and youth ministers, representing six southwestern dioceses attended. Also, at a 1981convention of the National CYO, I Milwaukee, the Diocese of Charlotte was represented by 30 youths who prepared and offered a liturgy for the 400 convention participants from Region 4.

Throughout the school year, in particular, the Ministry [offered]:

1. A successful SEARCH program for Juniors and Seniors.
2. An outdoor CHALLENGE program for Freshman and Sophomores.
3. A one-day Discover retreat for 7th and 8th graders. The staff assists in training the young adults and youth who conduct the experience on a parish and vicariate level.
4. A clown and puppet ministry offered at the parish level.
5. Service days and weekends throughout the year in the 1982 AIM program.
6. Ministry to Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and their leaders, as well as re-establishing the Catholic Committee on Scouting.
7. An annual Youth Ministry Conference at the Camp in May, which gathers together around 350 youth and their leaders.
8. Team Training for Youth Ministers, Youth Council, SEARCH Retreat Leaders, and young adults involved in CHALLENGE and DISCOVER ministries.
9. Christian Leadership Institute in August, 1982.

“Youth Ministry, It’s Happening,” [was] a Diocesan Newsletter published by the ministry four times a year to help share ideas and programs with all the parishes.²

<sup>To be continued...

1</sup>_{From Renewing the Vision: a Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry, written and published by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.}
²_{A History of the Early Years of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, by Sister Miriam Miller, O.S.E.}