Young People and the Church? A Conversation

Explore the challenge and promise of being young in a rapidly changing world and in today’s Church.

Young adults and those who work with young people are invited to a panel discussion followed by small group conversations responding to the 2018 Synod on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment.

The panelists and hosts include experts in theology, educators, and young people who live active faith lives. Together they will explore how the Church can listen to, learn with and accompany young people in the real circumstances of their lives.

Date and Time: Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 7:00 pm

Location: Corpus Christi – St. Mark’s at UBC
5935 Iona Drive, Vancouver, BC

Cost: FREE

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Panelists

Angelo Casiano is a graduate of the Catholic Independent Schools of Vancouver Archdiocese and is now working as an educator for Saint Patrick Regional Secondary. He teaches Christian Education, English, Social Studies, and Career Education. In addition to teaching, he is also the Provincial Area Head for the Youth for Christ Ministry in British Columbia. Angelo earned his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and his Bachelor of Education with a Secondary specialization at the University of British Columbia. He has experience leading retreats, giving sessions, and mentoring youth. He enjoys music, athletics, and learning.

Nicholas Olkovich is Assistant Professor and Marie Anne Blondin Chair in Catholic Theology at St. Mark’s College. From 2015-2017 he was the Director of Field Education and Pastoral Formation in the Faculty of Theology at the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto. Nick teaches foundational, systematic and pastoral theology at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He served as Young Adult Minister, Coordinator for Sacramental Preparation and as Director of the RCIA Program at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Toronto. He is currently exploring guiding themes of the recent Synod on Youth with BA students in this year’s Faith Development seminar.

Maureen Wicken has worked in the Archdiocese of Vancouver for 30 years in a variety of roles. After completing two degrees at UBC and teaching at LFA, Maureen worked for the diocese organizing RCIA events, writing curriculum and training catechists. After that she worked in campus ministry at UBC, and then went back into the classroom where she now enjoys teaching English and Religion to young men at Vancouver College.

Rachel Wong is a Communication and International Studies student at Simon Fraser University. Her love of storytelling has helped her grow as a writer, a radio host, and as an aspiring journalist. Though she was baptized into the Catholic Church as an infant, it was not until 2016 when Rachel made a commitment back to Christ. Ever since, Rachel has shared the story of how Christ helped her grow and overcome her personal struggles with mental illness. Following her conversion, Rachel has served youth and young adult ministry both on campus through Catholic Christian Outreach and at a number of parishes in the Archdiocese by giving talks, leading workshops, and leading worship and music ministry.

Panel Hosts

Clayton Imoo is married to his lovely wife Gail and together they have three awesome children: Sean, Jacob, and Kayla.  Clay currently serves as an Associate Director for the Ministries and Outreach Office of the Archdiocese of Vancouver.  He has worked for the Archdiocese of Vancouver – predominantly in youth and young ministry – for the past 16 years.  As well, Clay has spoken at numerous conferences and rallies locally, nationally, and internationally.
 
Clay is constantly inspired by the youth, young adults, and ministry leaders who he encounters.  He loves to see the amazing things that young people do in the name of God.
 
When not doing ministry, Clay enjoys spending time with his family, playing music, playing sports, writing Canucks parody songs, making cheesy YouTube videos, and writing blogs on topics such as family, faith, and his favourite hockey team.

Fr. Nick Meisl is a priest of the Archdiocese of Vancouver. Born and raised in New Westminster, he attended St. Michael’s Elementary School and St. Thomas More Collegiate. After studying engineering at Simon Fraser University, where he became involved with Catholic Christian Outreach, he went to the Seminary of Christ the King. He continued his theological and biblical studies at the Angelicum and the Biblicum in Rome. Currently, his main assignment is to Corpus Christi and St. Mark’s Colleges where he teaches courses on the Bible and Math. In addition, he is chaplain at St. Patrick’s Regional Secondary School and is involved in young adult and parish ministry at St. John the Apostle Parish.

This event is co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Vancouver - Ministries and Outreach Office, St. Mark's College, and the Marie Anne Blondin Chair in Theology at St. Marks' College

Questions?

Please contact Dr. Lynda Robitaille, St. Mark’s College
[email protected]
604-822-4463

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