Diocesan Youth Conference

The Diocesan Youth Conference (DYC) is an annual high energy weekend Diocesan gathering at Richmond Convention Center in which Catholic youth come together to celebrate the richness of our faith. This weekend event includes: Food, Friends, Games, Live Music, Keynote Talks, Sacraments, Eucharistic Adoration, Indoor Rock Climbing, Breakout Sessions, Conversations with Catholic College Students, Men’s/Women’s Spirituality Sessions, and Rise Against Hunger,  a faith-in-action meal-packing service project to assist our brothers and sisters in need overseas. It is open to youth who are in 8^th through 12^th grade for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This Year's Theme

Theme: REJOICE (Philippians 4:4-7) Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. As the Church leaves the Jubilee Year of Hope, the theme of REJOICE calls Catholics around the diocese to live each and every day in joyful hope. Sometimes we are in a season of blessing and thanksgiving, and it can be easy to remember to rejoice in the Lord. Sometimes we are in a season of adversity and hardship, where it is challenging to see reasons to rejoice in the Lord. In all seasons, we are called to remember the goodness and justice of God. Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ we have been redeemed, He has purchased for us everlasting life; that alone is reason to REJOICE. Too often we hide our faith under a basket. Propelled by the graces given to us in the Jubilee Year of Hope, we are called to go into the world sharing our faith, our hope, and our love. Let us no longer contain our joy in our own hearts and instead let it burst forth as we REJOICE!

General Information

DATES:

The Diocesan Youth Conference (DYC) will be held on Friday, February 20th (6:00 p.m.) through Sunday, February 22nd (12:00 noon), 2026 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia.

WHO CAN ATTEND?

DYC is open to youth who are in 8th grade through 12th grade for the 2025-2026 academic year.

REGISTRATION DETAILS:

• Submit forms/fees to Chris Jenkins by Dec. 16, 2025. Print forms - YOUTH FORM
• Return all forms/fees to Parish Office at 9505 Gayton Road Richmond VA 23229
• Checks only to pay fees. Make checks payable to “Saint Mary Catholic Church” (DYC 2026 in the memo)
• If teens wish to select their own roommates, they should communicate together in advance and then submit their forms together as a stack to Chris. We cannot emphasize this enough because we cannot guarantee roommate preferences if forms come in separately. In the end, Chris will assign roommates as best he can based on grade level/school/etc.
• Youth conference fees are $225* based on 4 youth per room. This is the default. 2 double beds with 4 youth; youth are asked to bring sleeping bags/bedroll and share what beds are in the hotel room; sometimes there are roll-aways but not always
• If youth wish to buy out spots in a room to create 2 or 3 person room those rates are higher $275 ea. person/3 youth per room; $325 ea. person/2 youth per room and you definitely need to submit your forms as a stack
• We have all the chaperones we need
• For questions, contact Chris