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The flame of faith for youths in the archdiocese blazed strongly during the three-day National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, Ind.
“Once we start lighting these young people on fire, the archdiocese will never be the same,” said Father Joseph Espaillat, director of the Archdiocesan Office of Youth Ministry.
He spoke those words during a homily he delivered at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, just before buses arrived Nov. 20 to take a total of 106 youths from the archdiocese to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC).
The Nov. 21-23 event with the theme “Signed. Sealed. Delivered.” took place at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. More than 23,000 Catholic high school youths attended.
“Maybe you’ve been lukewarm in your faith. You need to come back with the presence of God,” Father Espaillat said to the New Yorkers who would be attending.
“This will change you for the better,” he said.
Participants took his message to heart.
“I didn’t know what to expect when I came to NCYC, but I never expected it to be so wonderful!” said Cassandra Solano, 17, a youth from St. Mary’s on Grand Street in Lower Manhattan.
“NCYC enabled us to worship and give thanks to God through many different outlets,” she said. “We were able to sing praise to God with thousands of our peers (and) listen to God’s message through very well respected men and women in the Catholic Church.” She also noted that there were other areas, including creating art projects, which allowed her to express her faith.
Those outlets included moments for prayer, music concerts and workshops. Masses and liturgies were celebrated for the thousands of youths present. There were even places for participants to engage in works of charity, such as donating hair to Locks of Love. The sacrament of reconciliation was available throughout.
“It is important for young people to attend events like this because they are able to witness a Church that is alive, that is fun, that is full of young people just like them wanting to learn and grow closer to Christ,” said Cynthia Martinez, associate director of the Office of Youth Ministry, told CNY.
“They receive the energy and the motivation to be disciples when they return to their groups, and encourage those around them to also be witnesses,” Ms. Martinez said.
The weekend’s highlights included keynote addresses by Bob Perron, director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, W.Va.; Jackie Francois, a singer and songwriter from Orange County, Calif.; and Ansel Augustine, associate director and coordinator of black Catholic youth and young adult ministry for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
The real main act was the participants themselves, who showed their love for Jesus and his Church through silent prayers and shouts of joy.
One of the trip’s chaperones, Alina Requena, from St. Mary’s in Manhattan, told CNY, “To watch so many young people grow in their spirituality was a blessing.”
She said that seeing Lucas Oil Stadium filled with youths from around the nation was a beautiful sight. “Each one of them fully participated in Mass,” she said. “It really put into perspective one of the most beautiful aspects of Mass. No matter who you are or where you are from, when you are Catholic, you are one.”
The massive gathering also made quite an impact on participant Joelle Abejar, 17, of San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel in Manhattan. “It’s such an incredible feeling being in a room with thousands upon thousands young Catholics who are proud of their faith,” she said.
She said she know feels stronger about expressing her faith. “Before, I was afraid to openly express my faith with others,” she said. “But being at NCYC changed me. Here, everyone was so open and loving that it lifted my spirit.”
She met teens from Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, among other states. “Being surrounded by and meeting these young Catholics from all over the country has inspired me to take pride in saying I am Catholic,” she said.
