Laudato Youth Initiative | Uniting Youth for Climate Action

Convocation-2024
2024-01-27 09:00 - 2024-01-29 18:00 UTC | St. Edwards University Austin, Texas, Premont Hall Suite 104 - 114, TX, United States
The Essentials
Convocation 2024 is set to take place February 27-29 on the campus of St. Edward’s University. We hope to see you there as Convocation is the largest annual gathering of Holy Cross educators from across the country and around the world. At the upcoming Convocation, we expect more than 300 members of the Holy Cross family to gather in Austin and experience the HOPE that inspired Bl. Basile Moreau, the Congregation’s founder. Moreau’s visionary concept “With Hope to Bring” is the theme of Convocation 2024.

As our financial model is changing, we ask for your financial support in the form of a donation so that together we can keep Convocation vibrant and viable long into the future. Please make a donation at the level most comfortable for you, and thank you for your valued support: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/37977/donations/new Please note: Because St. Edward’s University hosts Convocation, attendees who are part of St. Edward’s are excluded from this appeal.
While there is no registration fee for Convocation, each guest enjoys several complimentary meals, high-quality Holy Cross programming that supports one’s professional development, prayer services and liturgies that are prepared in advance by trained ministers, and other benefits as well. There are costs associated with all these services, and the Holy Cross Institute has historically absorbed these costs as a gesture of hospitality to our guests.
Your Accommodations
We are returning this year to the Austin Southpark Hotel, where all participants can book rooms at rates specially reduced for the Convocation. The Southpark will be a hub at breakfast time and in the evening hours after the Convocation has concluded for the day. It’s never too early to book your rooms at the Austin Southpark Hotel: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1691687547691&key=GRP&app=resvlink. The Austin Southpark Hotel is five minutes from St. Edward’s University, and shuttle bus transportation will be provided by one of the premier lines in the Austin area, Clark Charters and Travel. We look forward to all our CSC guests staying under one roof and enjoying a short ride to Convocation.

Schedule

Tuesday Feb. 27 — First Day (Focus on K-8 and High Schools)
9:00 AM Prayer, Acknowledgment Statement and Welcome
9:30 AM Morning Plenary Session
Christian Education: The Foundation of Bringing Hope When Hope Is Fading, Toni West, Moreau Catholic High School
Hope Is Not a Strategy, It Is a Holy Cross Core Value, Julie Barthel and Mark Matthews, Cathedral High School
10:45 AM Breakout Sessions
12:00 PM Optional Mass & Lunch, OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CHAPEL AND MABEE BALLROOM
2-2:45 PM Afternoon Session 1: K-8/High School Workshops and Affinity Groups for Higher Ed
(options for affinity groups will be listed below at a later date)

Ensuring a Mission Centered School Day, Eric DesOrmeaux, Holy Cross High School (New Orleans)
Infusing Holy Cross Spirituality into Schools Through Yearly Themes, KC McKenna & Owen Williams, St. Edward High School
St Joseph, the Exemplar of Moreau’s Christian Education, Richard Vasquez, Holy Cross of San Antonio
St. André Projects: Junior/Senior Service Capstone Projects, Cole Hepp, Cathedral High School
Blended Workshop

Students with Learning Differences: Navigating the Transition from High School to College, Monica Rodriquez and Jennifer Mattes, Archbishop Hoban High School
Mission Driven: A Catholic School’s Model to Creating a Sustainable DEI Program, Medene Presley and Dr. Kelly Jackson, Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, CA)

Blended Workshop:

Habits of Hope: Forming Desire for the Good through Campus Ministry, Amanda Saunders-MacMillan and Dr. Mathew Scruggs, Bishop McNamara High School
BRO – Brothers Reaching Others: Monthly Student Led Evening Retreat, Michael Abbott and Mike Celentano Notre Dame High School (West Haven, CT)

Hope and Happiness: A Practical Guide to Cultivating Cheer with Today’s Teens, Monica Schreck, Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, CA)
Sacrament of Hope: How the Real Presence of Jesus Can Transform Holy Cross Communities, Narciso Bernardo, St. Francis High School
The Walk to Chateau Gontier: The Foundational Story of Holy Cross, Peter Francis Smith-Shelley, Moreau Catholic High School
Holy Cross Associates: Growth, Witness, and Mission, Jessica S. Plaspohl, Holy Cross Associates and Chris Fahey, Archbishop Hoban High School
Integrating Holy Cross Missionary History into Curriculum and Institutional Identity, Michael Jezewak, Holy Cross Mission Center
Unlocking the Potential, Joy, and Hope Found in Educating Multilingual Learners, Katy Lichon Ph.D., University of Notre Dame

Affinity Groups for Higher Education: TBA
2:45 – 3:15 PM Coffee / Tea Break
3:15 – 4:00 PM Afternoon Session 2: K-8/High School Workshops
All the above workshops will be offered a second time – please select another workshop to attend.
4:30 PM Happy Hour at Southpark Austin Hotel (beverage ticket provided)
6:00 PM Dinner on Your Own
Wednesday, Feb. 28 — Center Day
9:00 AM Prayer, Acknowledgment Statement and Welcome
9:30 AM Morning Plenary Session
Reflections on Hope, Bro. George Schmitz, C.S.C., Notre Dame High School (West Haven, CT)
“Oui, Whee, We”: Leaning Into Hope, Holy Cross Style, Dr. Karen Eifler, University of Portland
10:45 AM Breakout Sessions
12:00 PM Lunch/Keynote Followed by Campus Walk
They will shine eternally in the skies like the stars of the heavens.” (Christian Education), Brother Prodip Placid Gomes, C.S.C., Second Assistant, Congregation of Holy Cross
2:00-4:00 PM Afternoon Sessions — Revisiting Moreau

Laudato Si’ – What Would Moreau Do?

Katie Yohe, Sisters of the Holy Cross
Br. Adolf Mugume, Congregation of Holy Cross
Avuni Alfred, John Paul II Justice and Peace Center
Sarah Kirikumwino, Laudato Youth Initiative
Nancy Salisbury, St. Edward’s University
Fabio Marinho Aidar and Joana Procópio França, Colegio Santa Cruz

4:30 PM Eucharist, OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CHAPEL
6:00 PM Cocktail Reception, COURTYARD BETWEEN EQUITY HALL AND PREMONT HALL
7:00 PM Convocation Banquet – Presentation of Awards, MABEE BALLROOM
Thursday Feb. 29 — Final Day (Focus on Higher Education)
9:00 AM Prayer, Acknowledgment Statement and Welcome
9:30 AM Morning Plenary Session
Basil Moreau and Teaching with A.I.: “Not at the Expense of the Heart”, Kris Sloan, St. Edward’s University
10:45 AM Breakout Sessions
12:00 PM Optional Mass & Lunch, OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CHAPEL AND MABEE BALLROOM
2-2:45 PM Afternoon Session 1: Higher Education and K-8/High School Educators Workshops

From Hope to Action, Kathleen Wilburn Ph.D., St. Edward’s University
Contemporary Vocation and Formation Programs in the Congregation of Holy Cross, Brother John Paige CSC, King’s College and Congregation of Holy Cross Vocation and Formation Commission and Matthew Bartek, Assistant Director of Vocations, Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers
Living Holy Cross, Kevin Piskadlo and Colleen Ford, Stonehill College
Holy Cross in Texas: Frontiers and Foundations, Mity Myhr and Joseph Howe, St. Edward’s University
Embracing Blessed Basile Moreau’s Legacy of Hope: Our Call to Transformative Action in Troubled Times, Sister Elaine Poitras, CSC, Sister of Holy Cross
“Who do I want to be when I grow up?” Infusing Vocational Identity Exploration into Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience Curriculum, Catherine Campbell, Katy Goldey, Monique Jim​​énez-Herrera, Delia Kothmann Paskos, Kadie Rackley, Melissa Vélez, Jeannetta Williams, Department of Psychology & Behavioral Neuroscience, St. Edward’s University
Fostering a Spirituality of Communion on an Increasingly Polarized Campus, Nicole Labadie, Saint Mary’s College
“Incorporating the Holy Cross Mission into Curriculum to Build Hope for the Future–A Conscious Effort,” Tom Sechrest and Glenda Ballard, St. Edward’s University

2:45 – 3:15 PM Coffee / Tea Break
3:15 – 4:00 PM Afternoon Session 2: Higher Education and K-8/High School Educators Workshops
All the above workshops will be offered a second time – please select another workshop to attend.
4:30 PM Closing Ceremony, Executive Director’s Address, and Memorial Service
6:00 PM Dinner on Your Own/ Post-Conference Gathering at an Austin Restaurant

Divine Mercy S.S Laudato Walk 21st October.
2023-10-21

Laudato Si Festival 2023
2023-09-23 10:00 - 17:30 (Africa/Nairobi)
The Laudato club of Holy Cross Lake View S.S.S a club by the Laudato Youth Initiative in collaboration with its partners John Paul II Justice and Peace Center – Kampala and other collaboration partners in the green agenda are organizing a green festival this Saturday 23rd Sept 2023 starting at 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Laudato Youth Initiative is a spiritual movement inspired by the message engrained in the encyclical letter Laudato Si by Pope Francis which was written in 2015: talking about:
“Care for Mother Earth our Common Home”
This season of creation as our youth movement anticipates the new version of Laudato Si we are excited to bring you this big action event as the Laudato Club of Holy Cross Lake View SSS
Come and we connect and encounter the Nexus of: Young people and their mentors (Synodality) Nature (Tree planting and other nature connections) God (at Mass). You will also learn more about youth involvement in climate action, Climate justice & Development for Climate Action.

Day’s Activities.
1. Climate Walk through Musima ,Nakanyonyi and Wanyange with Brass Band as we raise awareness on Environmental governance and climate justice.
2. Tree Planting along the walk with communities (2000 for planting).
3. Blood donation at Busaimo Farm-Wanyange
4. Green Exhibition at Busaimo Farm-Wanyange

5. Climate Debates & Talk shows, dances.
6. Green Football match
Holy Cross VS community Climate champions. Wanbuza playgrounds former Holy Cross ss.

Call patrons
Mr. Anthony Omodo and Mr. Ijonai Emmanuel of Holy Cross SS on
0774 282920.
0706 318407.
For participation.

World Youth Day
2023-08-01 - 2023-08-06 | Lisbon Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal
ARE YOU READY FOR World Youth Day (WYD) Laudato Youth are!

We are less than a month away from WYD in Lisbon Portugal! Being part of the hug number of young people around the world excited and preparing to experience this great gathering with Pope Francis and respond to his message of Laudato Si that invites us to care for our common home because there is no other like it. Laudato Youth Initiative will amplify voices of young people to use this time as an opportunity to pray for our world that is being plundered by our actions and take action to mitigate challenge. We shall begin our World Youth Day event with the celebration of a Laudato Si Mass led by the Laudato Club of Holy Cross Lake View S.S.S Jinja Uganda on 9th July 2023.

Laudato Club Members will unite with their school community to pray for a climate just world and a climate responsive people. If you would like to join in this campaign follow updates on our social media and the mass link will be shared soon on our social media platforms “Laudato Youth Initiative”. You can still join our action response of tree planting, city cleanup, and other action response campaigns with John Paul II Justice and Peace Center or visit us at John Paul II Justice and peace center, Nsambya Kampala

Join us for a #WasteFreeJuly and Raising voices for #GreenJuly and a #WasteFreeJuly. We shall also have social media awareness campaigns from our different Laudato Youth leaders encouraging re use of plastics and tree planting as part of our commitment to the environment and waste reduction, help protect our planet.

Join us in this challenge–let’s make a positive impact on our environment together! #LaudatoYouthInitiative United for Climate Action come world youth day 2023
