February 2017

Dear Pastor, Youth Contact, or Campus Minister,

Since 1979, the High School Leadership Institute (High LI) has been teaching young people that it takes courage to lead, humility to serve, and faith to do both. This annual week-long summer leadership through missionary discipleship program is held at the Monsignor O’Dwyer Youth Retreat House in Sparks, Maryland, July 8-15, 2017. Catholic youth entering grades 11 to 12 (and in some cases, grade 10) in the next school year, will participate in this comprehensive leadership formation program through which they will be empowered as Missionary Disciples of Christ and sent back to their parishes and schools with the ability to share their faith story and lead others to encounter Christ.

As you begin to discern which young personfrom your parish or school could benefit the most from the High LI experience, please take note of the following which are some prominent features of the program:

  • High LI will inspire and teach participants what it means to be a MissionaryDisciple of Christ and lead others to Encounter Christ. It is an intense program requiring maturity on behalf of the participants and an ability to multi-task and handle a moderate amount of stress.
  • Participants are taught through a model of “Learn – Practice – Evaluate – Practice,” ensuring that everything is first modeled by staff, then put into practice by participants, followed by an evaluation, and more practice as needed.
  • High LI will enhance the public speaking skills of our participants. Each participant will be given a reading to prepare and present. Each participant will also be required to write and deliver a witness talk during High LI. The writing process is designed to help the young person begin to articulate his or her faith story.
  • High LI participants will learn about missionary discipleship, planning in prayer, liturgy and program, public speaking, time management, and encountering others in faith. Our graduates have become priests, youth ministers, campus ministers, television and radio personalities, teachers, lawyers, and principals!
  • Our staff is comprised of professionals in ministry serving the Archdiocese. The 2017 High LI Staff is as follows:

Director: Kristin Rupprecht, Director of Faith Formation/Youth & Young Adult Minister, St. Margaret Parish

Assistant Director: Michael Downes, Director of the Msgr. O’Dwyer Retreat House

Kathryn Cohagan, Youth Minister, Sacred Heart Parish

Craig Gould, Director, Archdiocese of Baltimore Division of Youth & Young Adult Ministry

Kate Kleintank, Director of Religious Education, Church of the Resurrection

Tom Mackin, Director of Music, St. Mark Parish in Fallston

Ben Maerzke, Theology Teacher, Mercy High School

Dan Miller, Pastoral Associate, St. Bernadette Parish

Meghan Sprankle, Director of Youth Ministry, St. John Parish/Theology Teacher & Associate Campus Minister, St. John’s Catholic Preparatory High School

Rev. Michael Triplett, Pastor, Our Lady of Grace Parish

Attached you will find the registration form for the 2017 High School Leadership Institute. In order to be fair and accommodate as many parishes and schools as possible we have streamlined the registration process as follows:

  • The registration period will be limited to four weeks, March 20th – April 17th.
  • Each parish or school may submit up to 5 registrations. Please number your candidates with #1 being your first choice to attend High LI this summer, #2 as your second choice and so forth. During the registration period, slots will be filled with the #1 registration on a first come/first serve basis. After April 17, if there are still empty slots, the 2nd choices will be given a slot. Once these have all been placed, then subsequent registrations will be given consideration in order of ranking. Note:It is important that the non-refundable deposit accompany each registration, and final payments are made no later than July 1. Cost information can be found on the registration page.
  • The participant orientation dates and locations are listed on the registration form. Applicants are required to bring a parent or guardian with them to orientation and to be dressed appropriately (no shorts, flip flops, etc.) Each participant will be interviewed at the orientation.Please make sure that applicants selecttheir preferred orientation date on the registration form.
  • All High LI participants must receive “Worthy of the Call” training prior to attending High LI. Sponsors are asked to verify training and supply a valid reference prior to the participant orientation.
  • After the Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry receives the registration form for a young person, the prospective participant and his or her sponsor will be emailed a letter and links for the required orientation paperwork. It is imperative that we have viable email addresses for both participant and sponsor. Participants must print and complete the participant profile, Code of Conduct, permission form and volunteer application.The sponsorshould print and complete the Sponsor recommendation form, Worthy of the Call Verification Statement, and Participant Reference Check. The sponsor can send the forms in a sealed envelope with the participant or fax or mail the forms directly to the Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. All forms must be received by the participant’s orientation date.

As you discern which young people to send to High LI this summer, we encourage you to trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit.We also want you to know that we, as a staff, will be praying for you and all of the young people wanting to attend High LI this summer.

If you have questions, you maycontact Pat Ashby at r 410-547-5372. Thank you for all that you do for the young Church of Baltimore! May God continue to bless you and your ministry!

Sincerely,

Craig Gould, Director

Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Archdiocese of Baltimore