Dr. Patrick Sprankle (Pat), husband and father, is Director of Youth Ministry at St. Louis Church Clarksville, MD. In this conversation he talk about how we can best accompany young people in the face the challenges they face daily. He also shares how find balance and self care while working as a minister.

Sr. Josephine Garrett shares her story of what brought her to the Catholic Church as a convert and how that informs the way we can accompany the young church. She share how in the end we can only witness from the pace of our own relationship with Christ. Finally, she shares from her role studying to be a family consular, one thing that is getting the way of you and one thing that is getting in the way of families in their ability to embrace the faith.

This week we chat with Molly Herrera who is the Coordinator of Youth Ministry and Young Adult Faith Formation St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Gaithersburg MD. Molly started out as a youth group kid (including going to NCYC with her parish as a teen) and now works in full time ministry. She talks about how her experience as a member of a youth group as a teen has impacted the way she does ministry today.

This week we talk to our Thursday night keynote presenter Julianne Stanz about what it is like to be a minister to the young church at a time of crisis. There is so much wisdom and encouragement in how to help to create an intimate relationship between the young church and Jesus Christ.  As she shares "For many family the youth minister is the face of the parish and the face of Jesus Christ." This is a must listen!

This week we chat Kim McMillan who has be working in parish youth ministry for 20 years. She shares her experience around how we can best engage the young church for the long haul.

This week we have a conversation with Mike Patin. Mike shares practical advice on how to get the most of learning experiences which help us to be better in ministry. He also talks about the power and importance of building a community and spiritual direction in support of the work that we do.

This week's conversation is with Mike Sylvester is the directory of youth ministry and formation at St. Gregory Catholic Church in Bluffton SC. In the conversation he talks about his call to ministry, what we can do to be healthy and grounded in the work we do, and how to keep balance with our family lives.

"It's not about being right, it's about being effective."

This week we have a conversation with Roy Petitfils about how we can meet our youth's spiritual spiritual needs while meeting there emotions needs at the same time. This conversation includes tools you can use with youth and with the parents of the young church.

Doug Tooke will be serving as our guide and emcee for this year's NCCYM. Here is what Doug is looking forward to, why it is important come, and how to get the most out of the event.