During this month’s National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) November 20-21 in Long Beach, Father Hau Vu, Diocesan Director of Vocations, will have the honor of accepting the Saint Katharine Drexel Pathway Award from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM).
Fr. Vu, along with seven other awardees, will be recognized during a special presentation at NCYC. These NFCYM awards strive to honor exceptional contributions to youth ministry, recognizing individuals and organizations that shape the vibrant youth ministry landscape in the United States. A Diocesan delegation of about 130 Catholic youth, their chaperones, and diocesan seminarians will be attending NCYC.
The Saint Katharine Drexel Pathway Award reflects her pioneering spirit by recognizing diocesan initiatives that boldly create and sustain transformative ministry.
Nominees for this award must lead a diocesan-level initiative that develops innovative pathways that:
- Inspire others by their efforts to support and strengthen those whom Christ leads
- Collaborate at the diocesan level to illuminate the path of Christ in ministry outreach with young people
- Advocate for a comprehensive approach to ministry with young people
- Promote cooperative engagement with one or more diocese(s) that foster the values of the NFCYM in the above-mentioned areas
The theme of this year’s NCYC, which will take place at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, is “Known. Seen. Loved.” St. Francis’ joyful witness and the Digital Encounter with Pope Leo XIV at the 2025 NCYC influenced this year’s theme. Rooted in the Gospel truth that human dignity is a gift that we cannot earn, participants are invited to a transformative encounter with the divinity of Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself to share in our humanity. Through His incarnation, death, and resurrection, he reveals that we are truly known, fully seen, and profoundly loved by God. Participants will be challenged to go forth as instruments of God’s peace, reflecting His compassionate heart to the world.
NCYC is a powerfully unique multi-day experience of prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis, service, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers (of high school age) and their adult chaperones across the Unites States.