Diocese of Covington - Messenger at 402 E. 21st Street, Covington, KY 41015 US - Y.C.E.T. members commissioned to evangelize throughout diocese

Y.C.E.T. members are official representatives of the youth for the Diocese of Covington.  As official representatives, they are "the voice of youth" on diocesan commissions and boards. They also visit diocesan parishes and schools to lead confirmation retreats and are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of Life through a personal witness of faith.

Father Edward Brodnick, pastor of St. Joseph and priest representative to the youth group, presided at the commissioning and in his remarks challenged the young people to live their faith.

"This year is the 10-year anniversary of Y.C.E.T. and this group is the largest ever," said Bridget Kaiser, newly appointed co-coordinator of the Y.C.E.T. Commission. "This year we are trying to do more things in parishes and we want to get our name out there."

Ms. Kaiser and John Brockmeier, the other co-coordinator, both former members of Y.C.E.T., know the effect the teens and their ministry can have on other teens and their surroundings. 

"I know our students are great people to live out these values and ideals outlined in Scripture and will be a blessing to our diocese, their churches and their schools,” Ms. Kaiser said. “I believe that the mission and goal of Y.C.E.T. this year is to increase the knowledge of Christ to whomever we meet — peers, friends and those we minister to at retreats.

“The students take this mission seriously and are so willing to learn of Christ's love and how to pass it on through their words and actions. They try succeed to live out their Scripture reference of 1 Timothy 4:12, which tells people that although they are young, passionate and vibrant Christians in our world today, that doesn't mean that they are less important, less faithful people."

Candidates for Y.C.E.T. are nominated by pastors, youth group leaders, high school principals, or even a sibling who has been a previous team member, Ms. Kaiser said. "After nominations all nominees go through an application process and are interviewed to see if they are ready to be a leader." 

The team meets twice a month at St. Joseph Church, Crescent Springs, to plan upcoming retreats and to connect with each other.

"In Fr. Brodnick's homily at the commissioning, he said how the youth are always called the ‘Church of tomorrow,’ yet that gets them off the hook today, meaning that they don't have to do anything, they ought to sit back and relax for 10 to 15 years. Instead, the youth are the Church today, people who are to rejoice in the action of the Church, be active, be loving people for the world, for their families, and for the diocese." 

For more information on Y.C.E.T. or for scheduling, e-mail Ms. Kaiser or Mr. Brockmeier at www.covingtonycet.org. 
 
2009-2010 Y.C.E.T. Members: 

Jessica Bier, sophomore, St. Henry District High School

Michael Blewett, junior, Covington Latin School
John Deis, junior, Covington Latin School 
Allison Durr, junior, Simon Kenton High School 
Sara Fronk, junior, St. Henry District High School

Brett Futscher, senior, Covington Catholic High School
Kevin Grout, sophomore, St. Henry District High School

A.J. Gedney, senior, St. Henry District High School

Mak Kroger,  senior, Covington Latin School
Mitch Kroger, sophomore, St. Henry District High School

Anuel Nevels, junior, Covington Catholic High School
Sam Powers, senior, Covington Latin School
Jake Read, junior, Covington Catholic High School
Claire Reinert, sophomore, Notre Dame Academy
Lily Rodgers, senior, Covington Latin School
Philip Ryan, junior, Covington Catholic High School
Nicole Sand, senior, Covington Latin School
Adam Schmidt, junior, Covington Catholic High School
R.J. Torres, junior, Covington Catholic High School 
Owen Weber, sophomore, Dixie Heights High School
Taylor Wilson, sophomore, Simon Kenton High School 
Allison Wintring, junior, Covington Latin School
Michael Zalla, senior, Covington Latin School