INDIANAPOLIS, IND.—A contingent of young people from the diocese recently attended the National Catholic Youth Conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ten thousand youth from all over the country came together to celebrate life, express gratitude toward a God they are learning to talk to, and to pray.
“Get a group of teens together to talk about God and they will show you Jesus’ promise come to life: ‘where two or three are united in my name, I am in their midst,’” said Jennifer, a youth minister at St. Philip Parish in Norwalk.
The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Ablaze’—calling on the Holy Spirit to descend upon the young Church and set it Ablaze for the Lord.
Jennifer explained that the Holy Spirit was the center of attention throughout the conference: joyful song and praise alternated with moments of prayer and witness, she said.
“NCYC was an amazing way to see how other teenagers around the country also go through the same things as I do and believe the same things too,” said Sarah Chalarca, one of our diocesan young people who attended the conference.
“Going to NCYC was a valuable thing,” shared Daniel Cruz. “I really got to connect more to my religion and my belief in God the Father.”
Daniel mentioned that he enjoyed the sessions he got to attend with the group and speeches that helped him connect more with his faith. “We heard a speech about the fact that we have to be the light in the dark at all times. We have to be the ones that lead by example to make this world better.”
Jennifer shared that one of the most profound moments occurred during Adoration. She described it as “an intimate, yet communicative dialogue with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist that simply transforms each and every one of us.” “At the end there were no words, she said, just emotional embraces among participants.
“Adoration was a very powerful experience,” said Kyara Scialpi. “The Masses were beautiful. I felt that everyone was connected through the same values and I will carry that with me always.”
Participants were invited to spiritually go to the Upper Room—the site of the Last Supper and the place where, immediately after Jesus’ ascension, the disciples returned to, devoting themselves to prayer and be of “one accord.”
“Every time we come back from NCYC, I see a marked change in the participants,” said Father Sudhir, pastor of St. Philip’s. “I feel that they have matured a little in their faith and I can discuss matters of faith comfortably with them.”
Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Christophe read a message from the Holy Father, which Jennifer said gave everyone much courage: “The Church is waiting for your yes… Jesus wants your help to build his kingdom of Truth and Light, Justice and Love, Hope and Peace. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom…”
AJ shared that he felt like part of “one big Catholic family” at NCYC. “Going to NCYC always transforms me. This event can turn anyone who is new in the Catholic Faith into a full believer,” he said.
Jennifer shared that downtown Indy was inundated with colorful flags and eclectic hats, waiting to be exchanged, as it is customary for attendees to bring a unique hat or other accessory to exchange with someone else, while using that opportunity to create new friendships.
Brien McMahon, who attended the conference for the second time spoke about the excitement he experienced on the trip. “Indianapolis, Indiana, stayed true to past years in a sense of transforming the environment and aura of the big city into an inviting safe space for all in attendance.”
“The ‘N-C-Y-C’ chant filled the streets, often involving the volunteers that helped manage traffic throughout the day, gaining the curiosity of passersby,” Jennifer said. “The wish for our youth comes from St. Catherine of Siena: ‘Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.’”
