NCSC News and Updates

Conference Registration late fees WAIVED!

NCSC — 30 Nov 2007 23:43:49 GMT

CONFERENCE LATE FEE WITHDRAWN (Save $60)

Great news! The Executive Board has decided to waive the late fee for conference this year! It's not too late to take advantage of the $60 "early bird" discount!

When you are sending in registration forms, even now that it is past the deadline, do not include money for the late fee.

Download Registration Forms at: www.catholicstudent.org/conference-registration
Learn more about Conference at www.catholicstudent.org/conference

“OUR CATHOLIC FAITH, OUR WORLD IN NEED"

The NCSC's 24th Annual Leadership Conference
December 28, 2007 - January 1, 2008
Omni Hotel, Los Angeles, CA

"For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." -John 6:33

This year�s Conference theme, "Our Catholic Faith, Our World in Need," is designed to encourage us, Catholic college students, to gain a greater awareness of global affairs and our positions in the world as Catholic student leaders. A focus on global affairs will provide a global context with which we may learn how to live our lives as student leaders and as Catholics who carry forth God's bread of heaven and life to the world. Through an understanding of global affairs, we may learn to apply our faith to the lives and missions God calls us to live.

As such, Conference topics will include social justice topics such as:

HIV/AIDS
Abortion
Stem-cell research / Bioethics
Capital Punishment
Immigration
Poverty
Gangs
Torture
Amnesty

Criminal Justice
Children's Rights
Human Trafficking
Christian Persecution
The Middle East
Darfur Crisis
Interfaith Dialogue
Indigenous Spirituality

The Update: October 2007 Edition

NCSC — 14 Nov 2007 04:40:38 GMT

An official publication of the National Catholic Student Coalition, a proud member of the International Movement of Catholic Students

OCTOBER, 2007 - IN THIS ISSUE:

Stand Up and Speak Out in support of the Millennium Development Goals
Registration for the 24th Annual NCSC Leadership Conference is now open
October Saint of the Month
ACSA and ACYA publish New Springtime journal
Holy Father�s Prayer intentions for October

Check out The Update at our web site.

NCSC Stands Up and Speaks Out

NCSC — 14 Nov 2007 04:31:53 GMT

October 16th and 17th, the National Catholic Student Coalition joins millions all over the world to Stand Up and Speak Out against poverty in support of the Millennium Development Goals. The Stand Up Speak Out initiative is planned to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: “People living in poverty as agents of change.� On this day last year, 23.5 million people stood up against poverty in a 24 hour period setting a new Guinness World Record.

This year we recall our 2006 resolution in support of the MDGs. As the voice of Catholic collegians in the USA, we renew our call to all levels of government in the USA to honor our nation�s promise and make good on the commitments made for a global partnership by increasing its official development aid to 0.7% of its gross national income.

Additionally we reiterate our resolution in 2000 by urging all governments, especially the USA, and intergovernmental institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to keep the promises made on debt cancellation.

TAKE THE PLEDGE

We are standing now with millions around the world on this symbolic day, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, to show our commitment to the fight against extreme poverty and for the achievement of the MDGs.

We are standing because we refuse to accept more excuses in a world where 50,000 people die every day as a result of extreme poverty and the gap between rich and poor is getting wider.

We are standing because we want our leaders to honor their promises to meet the Millennium Development Goals � and we ask them to exceed these goals.

We join in solidarity with people from over 100 countries to say:

To the leaders of the wealthy countries � We urge you to keep your promises on poverty � debt relief, more and better aid, universal education, trade justice, and gender equality.

To the leaders of poorer countries � make it your first responsibility to save the lives of your poorest citizens. We ask you to tackle inequality, to be accountable to your people, to govern fairly and justly, to fight corruption and to fulfill human rights.

Today, and every day, we will stand up and speak out against poverty. We will continue the fight against poverty and inequality and to hold our leaders to their promises.

We are asking not for charity but for justice. We are millions of voices standing in solidarity to say, no more excuses - end poverty now.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

“Catholic Student Guide to the Millennium Development Goals, Volume 1: Education and Awareness Toolkit� � Publication of the NCSC International Relations and Communications Committee 2006, PDF format, 4.7 MB (Limited FREE download availability � TODAY ONLY)

“It is time for the Catholic community to act!� � Resource from www.standupagainstpoverty.org, PDF format, 577 KB

“Involving your church in Stand Up Speak Out 2007� � United Nations Millennium Campaign, PDF format, 67 KB

What's Next?

Share what you know and learn what to do about the relationship between faith and global affairs at the National Catholic Student Coalition�s Annual Leadership Conference! This conference is a great opportunity to network with students from campus ministries around the nation and around the world. You, yourself, are a great resource to each other!

Join the NCSC in Los Angeles from 28 December 2007 to 01 January 2008 focusing on the theme “Our Catholic Faith, Our World in Need.�

For more information, visit the conference website: http://www.catholicstudent.org/conference/

To contact the conference coordinators, send an email to: ncsc_conference@catholicstudent.org

World Youth Day 2008 with NCSC

13 Nov 2007 07:13:40 GMT

Have you ever wanted to...

See the Pope in person?
Share past experiences and grow in faith with other young adults from around the globe?
Travel to Australia?
Take a week or more away from the daily routine for spiritual renewal?

In a year's time, you could experience all of the above -- and more -- during the 2008 World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia!

World Youth Day (WYD) is a triennial pilgrimage of Catholic young adults from across the world. It is a time for growth in faith through catechesis by Church leaders, sharing with fellow pilgrims, service to the host country, and participation in the Sacraments of the Church. The 2008 WYD will be held July 15th-20th with preparatory Days in the Dioceses held July 10th-14th. The theme is taken from Acts 1:8: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses." -- a verse which encapsulates the WYD experience of renewal and mission. Most importantly, WYD is not a vacation, but a deep experience of the true universality of our Catholic faith and calling.

NCSC, in coordination with out friends in the Canadian Catholic Student Association, will be journey to WYD representing the North American Coordination of the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS-NAC). Our members will be able to fundraise, prepare for WYD, and travel to Sydney with fellow NCSC members. Additionally, as the United States movement of IMCS, we will have the opportunity to meet college students from our sister organizations in other countries and learn from their common, and yet different, experiences of being Catholic collegians.

More information on our pilgrimage to Sydney will be posted on the NCSC webpage (www.catholicstudent.org ) in the early fall. You can also learn more about the Sydney WYD at the official WYD website (www.wyd2008.org). If you are interested in journeying with us on this life-defining pilgrimage, or have any questions, please contact Tony Manzella, the NCSC's IMCS-NAC WYD Committee co-chair, at ncsc_wyd@catholicstudent.org.

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses." - Acts 1:8