Youth Ministry
“Those who hope in the Lord will run and not be weary.” Is 40:31
“The Lord is opening a highway before you, and he invites you to set out on it with joy and hope.”
-Pope Francis
Christ is Alive, Message to Young People

YOUTH MINISTRY EVENTS for 2025

June 10, Youth Ministry Certification at TMU
Invest in teenagers—and yourself. Our Youth Ministry Course at Thomas More University equips you for impactful youth ministry with free training, resources, and diocesan tools. Build your skills in leadership, safety, and programming while connecting with a supportive network of youth leaders across the diocese. This course will be offered on Tuesday, June 3rd from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. REGISTER here for this course or any other June Catechetical Courses.

June 24, CONNECT Retreat for 6th-8th Grade at TMU
We’re thrilled to host CONNECT on June 24, a special day event designed just for middle school students to build friendships, have fun, and grow in their faith. We’d love for you to encourage your students to attend! This event will include high-energy games, meaningful discussions, and opportunities to encounter Christ in a welcoming and age-appropriate setting. Event runs 9:30am-4:30pm. | Contact Bradley Barnes for more information at youthministry@covdio.net. | Students and volunteers can REGISTER here.

July 12 & 13 – Heart and Soul High School Retreat at TMU
High School students – join us for Heart and Soul, a two-day high school retreat packed with powerful talks, prayer, small groups, and fun — all designed to help teens go deeper in their relationship with God and each other. Taking place during the day (no overnight stay), this retreat offers a meaningful break from the ordinary and a chance to reconnect with what truly matters. Event runs 9:00am – 9:00pm (July 12) and 9:00am – 5:00pm (July 13). | Contact Angie Poat for more information at apoat@covdio.org. | Students and volunteers can REGISTER here.

Nov 20-22, NCYC in Indianapolis, IN
NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference) is a powerfully unique three-day experience of prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis, service, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers (of high school age) and their adult chaperones. Please register through the Diocese of Covington Office of Youth Ministry. Early Bird registration deadline April 15, 2025. See more details below. | PDF Flyer HERE | Group Leader Sign-Up HERE | Individuals Needing a Group HERE

To join our email list click here.

Contact Us

Diocesan Youth Minister, Angie Poat at apoat@covdio.org

Forms for Youth Ministers and Event Organizers

If you are a youth minister, please download forms here to be used for events hosted at your parish by you.

Click to Donate

Catholic Scouting

Finding faith through Scouting. Click here to learn more.

2025 National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)

Dynamic Worship, Excellent Speakers, Faithful Friends!

Where: Indianapolis, IN

When: November 20-22, 2025

Registration is OPEN! | Official NCYC website | Deadline: Early bird rate ends April 15, 2025.

The Youth Ministry Office coordinates the overall pilgrimage, including tickets, hotel, transportation, food, and preparatory gatherings. Parish and Catholic High Schools manage their own groups, collect money, and provide chaperones. New groups are welcome. Individuals who are not associated with a group will be welcomed by an existing group.

Every teenager needs the opportunity to experience NCYC at least once in their lifetime! NCYC is a powerful, transformative Holy-Spirit, Pentecost-type moment in time, which has a lasting impact.

Contact Angie Poat, Diocesan Youth Minister, for information at apoat@covdio.org.

The following parishes are attending:

Blessed Sacrament
Holy Cross Parish
St. Mary – Alexandria
St. Joseph – Cold Spring
St. Joseph – Crescent Springs
St. Pius X
St. Thomas

The following high schools are attending:

Bishop Brossart
Covington Catholic
Holy Cross High School
Homeschool
Notre Dame Academy
Newport Central Catholic
St. Henry District High School

REVIVE

The REVIVE initiative is a youth friendly expression of the Eucharistic revival and a great follow-up/buildup to NCYC, SUMMIT and your local retreats. REVIVE events rotate around the diocese. Come join the revival.

If you would like to host your own REVIVE event at your parish, school, or other location. Please contact Angie Poat at apoat@covdio.org.

YCET – Youth Commission and Evangelization Team

High School Discipleship & Leadership Team

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2025-2026 Team Forming NOW

2025 Overview and Application Information Link HERE

Adult Nominations

Deadline – January 31, 2025
Recommend a Freshman, Sophomore or Junior
Adult Recommendation Link HERE

Student Application

Deadline – February 28, 2025
Student Application Link HERE

YCET Co-Directors, Mark Johnson and Hannah Ubelhor | ycet@covdio.net

CONNECT Day 25

Middle School Students attending our CONNECT 25 Day at Thomas More University on February 22, 2025. We heard about our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, and how He will keep looking for us. We respond by looking for Him in everything that we do.

LENTEN PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank you for your love and care for your sheep. Thank you for laying down your life on the cross so that I might know your peace and be adopted into your family. During this season of Lent, please strengthen me with your love and guide me to you. Help me remember that I am always a part of your flock, especially when I need it most. Amen

SUMMIT 24 Eucharistic High School Retreat

High School Students attending our SUMMIT 24 Retreat at Thomas More University on November 15-17, 2024. Lead by our YCET members in High School along with College leaders. We heard from Ray Grijalba about Eucharistic miracles, shared in breakout sessions, and spent time with our Lord in the Eucharist. Thank you to the JSC youth ministry team for inviting us to go deeper in our faith.

2024 Fully Alive! High School Retreat

Incoming High School Students attending our Fully Alive Retreat at Thomas More University on July 13 &14, 2024. Lead by our YCET members in High School along with College leaders from both TMU and NKU, the retreatants loved putting their trust in God through games and worship all to become Fully Alive in Christ.

“This retreat expanded my love for God and his people. I was surrounded by inspiring people that helped strengthen my trust in God.” – Anonymous

“This was an awesome retreat! Coming into it, I was a wee bit nervous because I’ve never led a retreat before. I was very blessed to be able to give a witness and share my story and how Christ has worked in my life.” – YCET Member

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2024 Junior High CONNECT DAY

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Incoming Jr High Students attending our first summer CONNECT Day at St. Barbara Parish on June 18, 2024. Lead by High School and College leaders, the day was packed with both indoor and outdoor games and concluded with a Eucharistic procession into the church.

2024 Baccalaureate Mass with Bishop Iffert

High school seniors who attend public schools or homeschools, along with their families, were the guests of honor at a Baccalaureate Mass with Bishop John Iffert at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption on May 1. Following Mass there was a reception in Bishop Howard Memorial Auditorium. Congratulations, seniors!!!

Join us for our next Baccalaureate Mass on April 24, 2025.

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The Mission of Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Covington

To build and support widespread youth ministry across the diocese to, with, by, and for teens, providing an intentional place for teens to thrive in the life, mission, and ministry of the Church.

“Planted in the house of the Lord we shall flourish and bear fruit.” Ps 92:14-15

The pillars of diocesan youth ministry are unity, sustainability, and joy.

Reminder: All adults must be VIRTUS certified to work with youth. More information can be found on the Safe Environment webpage.

Safe Environment

Other Youth Friendly Events

Do you have a youth event that you would like to share?

Please contact Angie Poat for details.

March 29, Light the Hill at NCC
We’re excited to invite you to “Light the Hill,” a free event at Newport Central Catholic on March 29th from 6–9 p.m. Enjoy a night filled with games, delicious food, uplifting praise and worship music, and a special time of Eucharistic Adoration. This event is free to all 6th-8th grade students, and registration is now open at ncchs.com/events. This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together in faith and fun. We hope to see you there!