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| Father Marty and Bobby bonded at CLI! |
What’s the
DYMC?
The Diocesan Youth Ministry Committee (DYMC) is 25 people who work as one to build comprehensive youth ministry
in our diocese.
They
do a lot of planning and praying, along with some playing to keep their minds sharp, all with the goal of improving what happens
for Catholic youth in the parishes of our diocese.
Sometimes
they help plan big events, like our youth rallies for high school and middle school youth. Often, their work is less noticeable
(like the website you’re on right now… they help keep it fresh!) or efforts to make people more aware about Catholic
youth ministry.
DYMC
is made up of 24 representatives – 3 youth and 1 adult from each of the six deaneries (geographic sections) of the diocese.
They are chosen every summer and meet five times between August and April to make good things happen. They advise the diocesan
youth ministry coordinator and also report to the Diocesan Board of Education. Here’s a look at this year’s DYMC:
Clinton
Deanery
Abby Hunter
Hi, I'm Abby Hunter.
I'm a senior at Central High School in DeWitt. I am also a member of St. Joseph's Parish in DeWitt. I am a member of the football
cheerleading squad, National Honor Society, and yearbook and newspaper staffs. I'm also involved in several activities through
our church and youth group. During my free time I like to hang out with my friends, watch movies and have fun.
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| Marykaye, Abby H, and Sarah try on their costumes for the High School Rally skit! |
Katie Spooner
Hi, my name is Katie Spooner. I’m 17 and I am a senior at Clinton High School
in Clinton, IA. My activities at school include the swimming and diving team, soccer team, marching band/ symphonic band,
A’capella choir and managing the boys swim team. I work as a life guard
and swim lesson instructor at the local YWCA. I am an active member in my parishes
youth group and I am involved in many of our churches service trips. I have found
that through church you make friends that last a lifetime, and I hope that this year I will make just a few more. :)
Ellen Vander Bleek
My name is Ellen Vander
Bleek. I am 16 years old and a sophomore at Prince of Peace High School in Clinton, IA. My activities include, band, chorus, speech, drama, yearbook, and volleyball. In my spare
time I enjoy swimming, biking, and canoeing. I am looking forward to being on DYMC this year.
Brenda Bertram (Adult Rep)
Hi, I am Brenda Bertram.
I am married and have two children. I have worked in ministry since graduating from High School in Maquoketa, Iowa. That was when I was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Maquoketa, in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. I lived in Keokuk for 15 years and worked for the Church of All Saints in Keokuk for the 12 years as Director
of Religious Education and Youth Ministry. In July of 2005, I took a leap of faith and moved my family to Clinton, Iowa, where I serve as the Youth Ministry Coordinator,
for the Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Parish. During the summer, I like to retreat down the Maquoketa River on a canoe with my family and friends or
a group of youth. I enjoy the great outdoors, including sledding, camping, and hiking. It is a known fact that
I have crawled into a cave or two with four and eight legged animals inside.
Davenport Deanery
Ben Jones
Hey!
I'm Ben Jones. I'm a senior at Davenport Assumption and a member at St. Paul the Apostle. I enjoy
playing guitar, walking on the beach and talking to anyone that will listen about how the 2008 Chicago Cubs
are the best team in baseball. (Webmaster's note... Umm, Ben, actually that was the Phillies. But Ben's
smart otherwise. He's vice chair of the DYMC, and speaking of chairs, he created the chair you see in the photo (below).
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| Mr. Ben Jones, renowned art student, created this chair to raise funds for youth leadership training |
Alex Trujillo
Alex Trujillo, 17, is a junior at Davenport Central
High School in Davenport and is a member of Holy Family Parish. In addition to normal duties on DYMC, Alex served as chief
video dude at the high school rally and chief roadie for Popple at the junior high rally.
Annie Shortridge (adult
rep)
Annie is the Coordinator
of Youth Ministry at Davenport's Holy Family Parish and
Sacred Heart Cathedral. Annie just got engaged to aspiring actor Chris Walljasper! She loves to sing and is normally a goof.
She plays tennis, and loves the beach. Her favorite youth ministry game is "slip and slide baseball". Annie loves being on
DYMC, hanging out with high schoolers, and getting into mischief with her other youth minister friends!! She hopes to
see YOU soon! :)
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| The 300 game will have to wait for this photo. Actually, these 8 DYMCers rolled a 300... combined! |
Grinnell Deanery
Sarah Arensdorf
Sarah is a junior at Grinnell
High School and attends St. Mary's parish in Grinnell.
Max Holle
I'm Maxwell Holle and I'm a sophomore from Oskaloosa involved with cross country, basketball, soccer
and orchestra and am class president. While on DYMC I hope to meet and connect with new people and grow stronger in
my faith.
Robbie Menner
Hello. I am Robbie Menner. I am a junior at Grinnell
High School. I enjoy running and biking a lot. I hope to play a role in the diocese and not just benefit from other peoples' work.
Sean Tehoke (adult rep)
Sean is youth ministry
coordinator at St. Mary's in Pella and St. Mary's in Oskaloosa. He spent his first wedding anniversary with his wife, Rachel,
in the hospital, awaiting Maire Josephine, their firstborn, who came into the world March 31. He's a rabid Iowa fan... but
that's because he hasn't had his shots yet.
Iowa City Deanery
MaryKaye Barnes
MaryKaye Barnes is a senior at Washington High School and a member of St. James Parish in Washington. She works as a page at her public library. MaryKaye likes to spend her time reading, listening to music, and hanging with friends. MaryKay also represents the youth of our diocese on the Diocesan Pastoral Council, an important
group that advises Bishop Amos in creating a vision for the future of our diocese.
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| Some of the DYMC members take a break during the High School rally to get together for a picture. |
Quinn Montgomery
Quinn Montgomery is a junior at Clear
Creek Amana High School in Tiffin. He also is a member of St.
Mary's Parish in Oxford. Quinn has been involved in youth ministry from eighth grade to present. Quinn likes to stay up late and is a fan
of Bob Ross. "Let’s add some HAPPY TREES!"
Elizabeth Mastalio
Liz Mastalio is a senior at City High School in Iowa City, and a member of St. Mary's parish. She loves math, and is planning on teaching high school
math in the future. She loves playing board games with her friends, and really lame jokes. She is obsessed with
sports of all kinds, except baseball. She loves to help other people in any way she can. One of her downfalls
is her ridiculous addiction to Cheez-Its. Liz serves as chair of the DYMC.
Michelle Montgomery (adult
rep)
Michelle is a certified
Youth Minister and Confirmation Coordinator at St.
Mary parish in Oxford for over 24 years. Michelle's husband is a Deacon for the Davenport Diocese and the Communications
Director for the Diocese. They have 3 children: Lindsay, Sean and Quinn. Michelle also runs a flower shop called Heaven
Scent Flowers and Gifts in Coralville with her 5 sisters. She loves what she does and has been blessed with
many wonderful youth and adults that have touched her heart of Love of Christ!
It is great to have the Love of Christ in your heart--then all things are
possible!!
Keokuk Deanery
Lorelle Brune
Lorelle Brune is a senior at Holy Trinity in Fort Madison. She is involved in music and drama at school. Lorelle loves both of her jobs: working
at the grocery store and volunteering at a summer camp for girls. She also loves
Mass and NET ministries, and her favorite saint is St. Teresa of Avila. She plans on attending Saint Mary's University
of Minnesota with a major in Youth Ministry and a minor in Spanish and hopes to study abroad in Italy. Lorelle serves
as secretary of the DYMC and helps the webmaster with this site!
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| Alex S (Left), Ben (Center), and Abi, working the Challenge Your Faith table at the HS Rally. |
James Kokjohn
James Kokjohn is a junior at Holy Trinity in Ft. Madison, Iowa. He attends St.
Mary's of the Assumption in West Point. James is involved in cross country, soccer, choir, show choir, and is the junior class president. He likes spending
time with friends, reading, cycling, running, and volunteering.
Alex Schalla
Alex Schalla is a junior at Holy Trinity High School. He runs varsity cross country in the fall, varsity
wrestling at 135 in the winter, and varsity golf in the spring. He plays trumpet in band and sings bass in chorus. He lives
on a farm where he raises sheep, hogs, and chickens. He is also a lifeguard at the country club. Alex is a huge Dallas
Cowboys fan and hopes to see Tony Romo lead the Cowboys to their 6th Super Bowl Championship in the 2008 season. Go Cowboys!
(Webmaster's note: Alex apparently has great faith and believes in miracles!) (Another note:
Sorry about those Cowboys, Alex.)
Mike Linnenbrink (adult
rep)
Mike Linnenbrink
is married to his lovely bride of 25 years. He is the father to three boys and
two daughters. Mike takes care of Youth Ministry activities for All Saints Parish,
St. Boniface, St. James, St. John’s, St. Joseph’s
and St. Mary’s Church in Southeast Iowa. Mike’s favorite college
is Iowa State
where he played Lacrosse for three years as a Cyclone. Mike has wonderful memories
of Italy.
He enjoyed traveling the country side of Assisi.
Ottumwa Deanery
Abi Messer
Hi! I'm Abi and I am a freshman at Fairfield High School. I am the daughter of Jackie and Don Kaska, and Shannon and
Paula Messer. I'm an active member of Ss Joseph and Cabrini Catholic Church, in East Pleasant Plain. My hobbies include
softball, cross country, chorus, cooking and spending time with family and friends. I am a huge Chicago Cubs fan, Iowa
Hawkeye fan, love NASCAR racing and movies.
Bobby Orman is a sophomore
at Ottumwa High School and attends St. Patrick's parish.
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| DYMCers are active in their parishes and towns. Liz helps sandbag in Iowa City during the '08 floods |
Jacqueline
Vonderhaar
Hey! I'm Jacqueline Vonderhaar and I'm a sophomore at OHS. I'm the daughter of Deacon Jim and Jan Vonderhaar
and I attend St. Mary's in Ottumwa. I'm involved in cross
country, I am a varsity boys basketball manager, I play the violin in orchestra, I LOVE to play soccer, I lifeguard at
the Beach Ottumwa, and I am also very active in my church.
Anna Hanson (adult rep)
Anna is director
of faith formation and youth ministry in Ottumwa. She has traveled the world, has a bunch of kids all over the world, and
speaks with a unique Ottumwa accent. She also is an adventurous driver, as Max can tell you!
Ex-officio
Pat Finan ~ Pat is coordinator
of faith formation and youth ministry for the diocese. He lives west of Knoxville
with his wife, Laura, and their three kids. He's very active at St. Anthony's parish, where he helps coordinate the parish
youth ministry team. He likes to garden, write and play Frisbee in his spare time. He’s been involved in youth
ministry for nearly 20 years.
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