by Antonina Zielinska
Hundreds of teens from Brooklyn and Queens gathered at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, for the diocese’s very own Youth Day.
“Seeing all the different people here for the same reason made me think that I am not the only one who’s into this kind of stuff,” said 17-year-old Dana Reandelar, from the youth group of Ascension Church, Elmhurst.
The young people came for a day of retreat, complete with uplifting song, a comedic routine, food, workshops, Holy Hour and Mass.
“I’m here today to worship God, to hang out with friends, and to have a good time,” said Humberto Garcia, 15.
Paul Morisi, diocesan coordinator of adolescent and young adult faith formation, said he organized the event to help youngsters better understand the faith.
“My goal is to get the youth to have a personal reaction to Christ,” he said. “Through the different talks and different types of prayer, I am trying to give the teens a variety of ways they can experience Christ today.”
He said diocesan youth days are important because they allow young people to experience the faith as it is meant to be experienced: in a community.
“This really is an opportunity for them to share their love for Jesus among each other,” said Ted Musco, diocesan director of faith formation.
Father Kevin Abels, diocesan vocations director, came to the event to give a workshop entitled “Love Changes Everything” in hopes of planting the seeds of discerning a religious vocation.
“Today is an opportunity to gather the young people of the diocese and present to them the different aspects of the faith in a way that they can understand it and live it out in their lives,” he said.
Garcia said he enjoyed learning about new aspects of his faith. During one of the sessions, he heard the story of Elijah under the broom tree and how God helped the prophet regain the will to live (1 Kings 19). He said this is the first time he heard the story and was inspired by it.
“I learned that I could always pray and that God is always with me so I don’t have to be afraid of anything,” he said.
What surprised him even more is the medium through which the message came. He heard it from the youth ministry music group, Popple, who came to the retreat armed with a guitar, a ukulele, wit and a sense of humor.
“I actually liked it, I didn’t think I would like it,” he said. “I hope there is more Christian music like that.”
Kyle Heimann and Daniel Harms, who make up Popple, said they use humor, cultural references and music to make the gospel message accessible to youth. During their performance, they referenced Latin soap operas as a way of explaining how various people from the Bible could proclaim their love of God with absolute passion and no shame. Their routine kept the youth laughing and alert.
The duo performs around the country, but admits not all dioceses are as open to their form of ministry. They said budget and staff cuts often discourage Catholic leaders from investing in New Evangelization efforts.
In order to prevent that from happening in the Diocese of Brooklyn, the Youth Day did not neglect those ministering to teens.
“The adult session are important because as leaders, we have to be reaffirmed in our commitment to the Church and to be given guidance as to how best serve our communities,” Morisi said.
Father Abels said ministering to the youth is not only important for the future church, it is also vital for the church of today. He said the entire church community is strengthened by the faith of its younger members.
“We need their faith,” he said. “We need to be inspired by their faith in Jesus Christ.”
