NORTH CANTON – “Time 2 Choose” was the theme of the 2008 Diocesan Youth Convention (DYC), held Nov. 2 at St. Michael Parish here. It was a simple designation that was intended – and became – so much more. The theme became a call to action to the teens and adults who attended the biennial event to actively renew their faith.
Approximately 440 participants, including 312 teens from across the diocese, converged on St. Michael for the gathering. The event included an opening presentation by Bishop George Murry, S.J.; a number of thought-provoking workshops; and an interactive area that encouraged creativity and communication.
“We know that ‘when two or three are gathered in God’s name,’ God is present,” said Cindee Case, director of the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. “Well, I think the possibilities of experiencing God’s love can be exponentially greater when two or three (or four) hundred gather. The DYC offers a taste of the larger Church for the teens. Plus, most teens like meeting other teens, and when they know the others share the same basic beliefs, it can strengthen one’s faith.”
“We can also put so many elements together by pooling resources – financial and human – to have workshops on various topics to help participants learn, offer a number of different prayer experiences, and introduce the teens to a number of spiritual and service organizations,” Case added. “Add to that an inspiring keynote address, this year by our own Bishop Murry, and a liturgical celebration with the energy of the youth, and it makes for a wonderful opportunity to grow in faith.”
Participants agreed. “Our youth minister told us that today would be like NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference), only on a smaller scale,” said Kayla Guidone, 17, a student at Louisville High School and a member of St. Louis Parish. She said the NCYC (held in Columbus in Nov. 2007) “was really great for me and I thought it was really amazing. It really showed me who I was and what I believe. And I will take that same feeling home with me today.”
The day was scheduled much like an organizational seminar, offering a variety of pull-out sessions, led by adult moderators, designed to get the teens thinking about themselves and how they fit into the bigger picture. Carla Hlavac, youth minister at St. Patrick Parish, Youngstown, offered a workshop entitled “Will You Choose to Help Change the World?” Her message, born out of many significant grassroots projects at St. Patrick’s, was quite simple: change the world one project at a time. She asked her teens to think about the global issues that really matter to them and called on them to be world changers.
“I ask our youth to open their minds and think of all the good they can do in the world,” Hlavac said. “I let them know that they are people who have power to bring God’s word to life in the communities that they live in and with issues that they care about. I hope to help them be a little more enlightened about practical ways that they can do this, and not think that because they are young and perhaps don’t have a lot of money, they can’t do something. There are things that they can start doing right now in youth and carry into adulthood.”
“I participated in this seminar because I am really big on the issues,” said Brianne Kelley, 17, a senior at Perry High School and a member of Canton St. Joan of Arc Parish. “I’m really big on changing what’s around me and I like to make sure my voice is heard. Participating here is way to hone in on those skills.”
Megan Gabel, 18, a student St. Thomas Aquinas High School, and a member of Canton St. Peter Parish, had not attended a youth convention in the past. She was excited to be at the 2008 event.
“I really like this event,” Gabel said. “There has been a ton of information and I have learned a lot. I think that once I get home and really think about today, it will affect me. I went to the Pop Culture seminar, and it really made me think and realize that the culture does try to influence us.”
Marilou McClimans, a teacher at Ashtabula SS. John and Paul High School, attended with a group of students from the high school for the first time. Her reason for attending with her teens this year dated back to her own teen years.
“The youth convention, back when I was in high school, made a difference in my life,” McClimans noted. “I wanted these kids to be able to share in that enthusiasm. I hope that they find some of that light, that energy, like I did, and choose to share it with the others who are home in Ashtabula.”
“I hope each and every teen walks away knowing that God loves them,” Case said. “Most of the participants come already knowing that, but that knowing can be deepened when we gather in Christ’s name. And I hope that something that they heard, saw, or experienced at the DYC encourages them to truly accept God’s love and share it with others. I hope that the teens are renewed in their personal faith, feel a stronger connection to the diocesan Church, and have at least one more ‘tool’ to help them live their Catholicism in daily life. These are the reasons we gather to learn, pray, and serve. These are the reasons we have a keynote speaker, workshops, the Time Zone inter-active areas, Reconciliation, prayer rooms and end with Eucharistic Liturgy.
“This has been a really interesting day,” observed Michael Simrak, 15, a sophomore at SS. John and Paul High School. “I am really excited about the openness of everything, and how everyone is able to discuss their views and talk about their feelings on issues.”
Although this was a teen event, adults from local parishes and parishes around the diocese were also involved. Case said she hoped that the “senior” members of the group also left feeling God’s love.
“I hope that the adults are energized by the spirit they witness of the teens gathered together at the DYC in Christ’s name,” she told the Exponent. “I hope that they are also strengthened in their personal faith and feel stronger in their discipleship. May they become advocates for and with our young people who are not only the Church of the future, but the Church of today.”
Ann-Margaret Lambo covers news for the Exponent in Stark and Portage counties
Bishop: Decide to follow Christ
Decide who you want to be. Decide to follow Jesus Christ. And you will find peace and happiness.
That was the simple, yet powerful message Bishop George Murry, S.J., shared when he addressed teens at the 2008 Diocesan Youth Convention (DYC) as the keynote speaker.
With his clear voice and positive presence, Bishop Murry welcomed the crowd to St. Michael’s and to the youth convention. And although he was addressing a full audience, he seemed to be speaking directly to each individual.
“This morning I want to take some time with you to talk about something that is extremely important,” Bishop Murry said in his opening remarks. “And that’s you and who you want to be. Who you want to be today, tomorrow and five years down the road. Not who you want to be when you grow up, or who you want to be when you get out of high school, but who you want to be right now and how you are going to carry that into the future.”
The bishop peppered his talk with personal stories, historical anecdotes, current events as well as biblical accounts to illustrate to the young people how important it is to know where they are going in their lives.
“We grow by our goals,” Bishop Murry noted. “Knowing where we want to go affects how we get there. Today, we have an opportunity to learn more about ourselves. You have an opportunity to shape yourselves so that you can become who you want to be.”
And just how does one become who they want to be? Bishop Murry explained that all things are possible, quite simply, if people keep their hearts and eyes on the prize: Jesus.
“Jesus meets with you and me and He challenges us to follow Him,” Bishop Murry said. “When we do what God wants us to do, which is always the very best thing that can happen to us, then we are free and we feel that freedom. That’s discipleship, making that decision for Jesus. That’s what I hope and pray you will do today. That even though you will have to make changes in your life, it is my hope that you will make that mature decision to follow Jesus. It is in choosing Jesus that we can find success.”
“Decide today who you want to be,” Bishop Murry said in his concluding remarks. “Decide today how you are going to use the talents that God has given you. You have the opportunity to leave a light burning in the darkness of our world. To do that you must choose Jesus. Choose Him today. Be not afraid to choose Jesus. And because of you and what you do, make our world a better place, a place of light, where all may find peace and justice.”
— Ann-Margaret Lambo