‘The Way, the Truth and the Life’:
20,000 attend National Catholic Youth Conference
The group from St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis takes a break for a photograph during NCYC 2007.
By Bryce Bennett
COLUMBUS, OHIO—The music started as a whisper, the words as a soft accompaniment.
Gradually, the whisper grew into 20,000 exuberant voices. The youths moved in unison to the music, clapping, dancing and singing all in the name of Jesus Christ.
The scene was the 29th biannual National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) held on Nov. 8-11 in Columbus, Ohio.
Of the 20,000 Catholic youths, more than 500 represented the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Each participant came to Columbus hungry to grow in their relationship with God.
This year’s theme was “The Way, The Truth, and the Life.” Bob McCarty, executive director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, spoke to the crowd during the opening ceremonies.
“You are a sign of the future Church lived out today,” McCarty said.
Throughout the conference, the youths were encouraged and challenged by presenters to be a voice in the Church, and to rid themselves of the shackles of sin.
“You can be a light to the desolate … . It’s not up to the president or a general to change the world, it’s up to you,” emcee Steve Angrisano shouted to an enthusiastic audience.
The participants listened to special speakers, featured daily, who shared their personal stories of faith and triumph over challenges ranging from physical and spiritual disabilities to natural disasters.
Father Tony Ricard, pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in New Orleans, whose church and community were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, spoke to the youths about the importance of letting God’s Word into their lives.
“The problem in today’s Church is that too many are waiting for the Word, when the Word is actually right in front of you,” Father Ricard explained. “All things, including a hurricane, cannot defeat the power of God.”
Speaker Renee Bondi, a quadriplegic from Long Beach, Calif., shared her story of hope and recovery. She related to the young audience with her testimony about the struggles in faith she experienced at a young age.
“I remember in high school at 15 and 16 years old, I was not all that good at recognizing God and his will. … I know sometimes we do not think God exists,” Bondi said. “But I challenge you today to blow the lid off. Invite God into your life.”
Caley Martin, 15, of Holy Family Parish in New Albany, thought Bondi’s speech was powerful.
“I thought she [Bondi] was amazing. The fact that she can carry on life with such a positive, faith-filled attitude was inspiring to me,” Caley said.
In addition to daily activities that included prayer, dancing and singing at the Nationwide Arena, the conference also offered opportunities for Catholic youths to interact with each other through faith-filled workshops and sessions ranging from presentations on bullying to devoting oneself to God through music and dance.
Stephen Hawkins, 17, of St. Thomas More Parish in Mooresville, attended a session on chastity hosted by speaker Jason Evert and his wife, Crystal.
“I thought the speakers [Jason and Crystal] were very open and honest,” Stephen said. “I also thought they presented it in a way that was very relatable to me.”
Father Jonathan Meyer, archdiocesan director of youth ministry, stressed to the youths the importance of prayer, not only at NCYC, but daily as a devotion to Jesus.
“Persistence in prayer is the only way to Jesus, who is the truth and who will give us the life,” Father Meyer said. “Every young person must dedicate time for silence and conversation to God.”
The NCYC celebration concluded with Mass on the evening of Nov. 10. Bishop Matthew H. Clark of the Diocese of Rochester, N.Y., presided at the liturgy. He focused on Christ’s “human” element and our acceptance of it.
“To be a Catholic, to be baptized into Christ’s rising and dying, we have to embrace everything that is human. I have seen many of you exhibit this behavior these four days,” Bishop Clark said.
Laura Elstro, who served as a chaperone for youths from the Richmond Catholic Community, said she felt a special connection when she received Communion.
“The pivotal moment, for me, came after receiving the Eucharist. I felt like I received everyone there,” Elstro said. “That is really a central belief in Catholicism, that we are all one in Jesus Christ.”
After the conference ended, many young people vowed to dedicate more time to their faith.
“I plan on really staying focused on God and putting others first in my life,” Stephen Hawkins said.
“Take what you have learned and experienced here, and bring it out of this arena into the real world,” emcee Angrisano told the youths.
NCYC will be held in Kansas City, Mo., in 2009. It returns to Indianapolis in 2011. †
