Young Adults

Catholics On Call Young Adults Conferences 2009

Who: Young adults (ages 18-30) who are thinking about pursuing a life of service in the Church.  Priority consideration is given to individuals involved with one of the Catholics On Call partners, although connection with a partner is not required.

When: Thursday, June 4 - Sunday, June 7 (extended weekend program) & Sunday, August 9 - Friday, August 14 (weeklong program)

Where: Catholic Theological Union , 5401 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago

Application process: Interested young adults who would like to attend one of the conferences need to complete an application, a personal statement, and provide two letters of recommendation. Approximately 40-45 spaces are available at each conference.

The application and directions for applying:
Application (Word doc)
Application (pdf)
Directions for applying (pdf)

Application deadlines: We are currently accepting applications for both conferences.  Please contact us at 773.371.5431 for more information.

These conferences are offered without charge to the participants and include room and board.  Conference participants, or their sponsoring organizations, are responsible for travel expenses.

Be sure to check out our video highlighting the conferences!

Speakers and Topics for the June 2008 Conference:

"Spirituality of Call"
Donald Senior, CP
CTU President, member of the Vatican Biblical Commission, author

"Dynamics of Prayer"
Robin Ryan, CP
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, CTU
Director of Catholics On Call

"Religious Life Today"
To be announced

"What is Discernment and How Does It Happen?"
Bishop Robert Morneau
Auxiliary Bishop of Greenbay, lecturer, retreat director, author

"Lay Ministry in the Church"
Sheila McLaughlin, Director of the Bernardin Center, CTU
Angela Appleby Purcell, Former Director of the Peacebuilders Initiative, CTU
Darrell Paulsen, Assistant Director, University of Notre Dame Campus Ministry

Speakers and Topics for August 2008 Conference:

"Spirituality of Call"
Donald Senior, CP
CTU President, member of the Vatican Biblical Commission, author

"Dynamics of Prayer"
Robin Ryan, CP
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, CTU
Director of Catholics On Call

"What is the Church and Why Would I Want to Serve It?"
Panel discussion (Panelists to be determined.)

"Religious Life Today"
Mary Charlotte Chandler, RSCJ
Director, Center for the Study of Religious Life

"What is Discernment and How Does It Happen?"
Bishop Robert Morneau
Auxiliary Bishop of Greenbay, lecturer, retreat director, author

"Lay Ministry in the Church"
Sheila McLaughlin, Director of the Bernardin Center, CTU
Angela Appleby Purcell, Former Director of the Peacebuilders Initiative, CTU
Darrell Paulsen, Assistant Director, University of Notre Dame Campus Ministry 

Days of Reflection

The Days of Reflection retreat experience is designed for participants who attended the summer conferences.  Held every year in January, this overnight experience will serve as a time for the participants to reconnect with any hopes, dreams and questions that arose during the summer conference, as well as catch up with friends.

Pastoral Ministers

Partners Conference

Every fall, Catholics On Call offers the Partners Conference.  Campus ministers, vocation directors, volunteer directors, and anyone who ministers to young adults have the opportunity to come together to learn and discuss best practices for supporting young adult men and women in their vocational discernment.  This conference is offered at a minimal charge.

2009 Conference Details

When: September 24 & 26, 2009

Where: Catholic Theological Union , 5401 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago

Keynote speaker: Auxiliary Bishop Robert Morneau of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Bishop Morneau will talk about how to walk with young adults in their discernment process.

*If you are not a Catholics On Call Partner, and wish to learn more about the Partners Conference and the partnership, contact us at 773.371.5431 or email the associate director, Birgit Oberhofer, at boberhofer@ctu.edu