Atlanta Will Welcome 25,000 Catholic Youth In 2005

ERIKA ANDERSON, Staff Writer

Published: September 23, 2004

ATLANTA—Plans are well underway for the 2005 National Catholic Youth Conference, which is expected to draw as many as 25,000 youth to Atlanta next fall.

The conference, which is open to all Catholic high school age youth and their chaperones, will be held Oct. 27-30, 2005 at the Georgia Dome and in building C of the Georgia World Congress Center.

Held every two years, the NCYC is an experience of prayer, community and empowerment for Catholic teenagers. The schedule includes general sessions and concurrent sessions that address a wide variety of topics, including forgiveness, Catholic spirituality and prayer, global issues, sexuality and leadership. There are also opportunities for Mass and special liturgies and unique activities such as concerts and exhibits.

Barb Garvin, archdiocesan director of youth ministry, said that teens who attend the NCYC will have an extraordinary opportunity to meet peers from all over the country.

“Our goal is to have 100 percent of all parishes (in the Archdiocese of Atlanta) participating, because this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our youth,” she said.

Two packages will be offered for participating youth.

Package A, which will cost $195 per person, includes the conference registration fee, archdiocesan souvenirs and a $10 solidarity fee to help support a scholarship program for archdiocesan youth who wish to attend but need financial assistance.

Package B, which costs $315, includes the conference registration fee, solidarity fee, archdiocesan souvenirs and housing in a downtown hotel.

Meals are not included in either package and will be the responsibility of parish groups or individual participants.

At least 1,500 volunteers are needed to assist with the NCYC.

For more information or to volunteer, send an e-mail to NCYC@atlyouth.org.