Youth Supplement

‘Infinite’ possibilities will mark high school rally

A participant at the March 3-4 Archdiocesan High School Youth Rally held at Our Lady of Providence Jr./Sr. High School in Clarksville raises his hands in prayer while joining others in eucharistic adoration. (File photo/Katie Berger)

By Rebecca Totten (Special to The Criterion)

Dave Gehrich enjoys seeing hundreds of young people get together for high school games, plays and musicals. He appreciates it even more when young people join together for faith-related events.

“We seem to have a desire to share exciting or entertaining moments in our life with a crowd of our peers,” said Gehrich, the youth minister at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Shelbyville. “So why not feel the same way about sharing our excitement for the One who provided all of these gifts and talents to us? We may not be able to return the infinite type of love that Christ offers, but we can certainly offer an infinite amount of praise for it.”

High school students in the archdiocese will have that faith-filled opportunity with the Archdiocesan High School Youth Rally 2008 on March 2 at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis.

The theme that the Archdiocesan Youth Council has selected for the rally is simple but profound—INFINITE. God’s love and mercy are infinite.

The theme will focus on the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, and the Incarnation where the Father’s infinite love is given in human flesh to be our salvation. The youth council said, “This will be the focus: the infinite love that God the Father has for his people, found in his son, Jesus Christ.”

The entire day is planned by the youth council, a group of 15 young people from across the archdiocese. The teenagers plan the theme, topic, design the T-shirt, and develop and implement skits.

Many young people know that the youth rally is a fantastic way to spend the day with friends while worshipping God.

“I love seeing my friends from all across the archdiocese gathered in one place,” said Sean Scott, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Shelbyville.

This year’s keynote speaker is Steve Angrisano, according to Father Jonathan Meyer, the director of Youth Ministry in the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education and Faith Formation.

“He is a talented musician, and young people really respond, not only to his music, but to his stories and the sharing of his faith,” Father Meyer said.

The only question that remains is, “What are you doing on March 2, 2008?”

The answer is simple. It’s INFINITE, the Archdiocesan High School Youth Rally 2008. Talk to your youth minister today.

(Rebecca Totten is a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Indianapolis and a senior at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis.) †