MIDDLE VILLAGE — During the Catholic Youth Day celebration at Christ the King High School, Kimberly Juarez noted that everyone was an active participant in each program, including Holy Hour.
“There was not one person who didn’t kneel, and everybody respected each other and the space,” said Juarez, who was participating in the diocese’s youth day for the first time. “It was beautiful.”
Juarez was joined on Nov. 15 by the youth group of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church in Jamaica, which she leads. It was one of 62 youth groups and parishes that attended the annual celebration.
This year, the diocese welcomed a record 1,853 young Catholics — a number Father James Kuroly, director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the diocese, attributed to the dedication of youth ministers.
“We know that our young people are thirsting for Christ, but they’re also thirsting for companionship on that journey of faith,” Father Kuroly said. “So I knew that it would build up from last year because they get excited by seeing others like them on this journey of faith.”
The theme for this year’s Youth Day was “I Am,” a reference to a gospel passage in the Book of Matthew, where Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”
Father Kuroly said the goal of the day was to invite young adults to turn that question inward and ask themselves, “Who am I?”
“We’re trying to give our young people an understanding of who they are — that they are a beloved son and daughter of God, that they have been redeemed by Jesus Christ, that they are temples of the Holy Spirit,” Father Kuroly said.
To accommodate the large number of guests who couldn’t fit in the school’s auditorium, parts of the day were livestreamed in the gym. As the day progressed, the young adults were divided into groups for talks led by Catholic motivational speakers Mari Pablo and Brian Greenfield, who were invited by the diocese.
Jon Paolo Marasigan, a sacristan and youth minister at St. Mary Gate of Heaven Parish in Ozone Park, said it was “absolutely beautiful” seeing how engaged the youth were throughout the day.
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Speaking with The Tablet after celebrating Mass in the auditorium, Bishop Robert Brennan expressed excitement at the record turnout.
“It’s a testimony to the Office of Youth Ministry and the quality of what they’re offering. It’s also a testimony to the youth ministers and the pastors in the parishes who have strong programs there,” Bishop Brennan said.
“Then finally, of course, it’s the testimony of the kids themselves,” he added. “The kids sometimes are the best missionaries. They have a good experience, and they tell other people about it, and then they bring their friends.”
