High schoolers nourish their faith at youth conference
There is no simple answer to the question, “What is the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)?”
It is so many things.
Logistically, it is a three-day gathering of Catholic high schoolers from around the country that happens every two years in Indianapolis, Ind. in November.
There are talks, Mass, eucharistic adoration, music, service projects, a convention hall filled with exhibitors from religious institutions and organizations, vendors of religious items, and areas for teens to play and pray.
That is the structure of NCYC. But the spirit of the teens and the Holy Spirit comprise the flesh and breath of this event. Every component is designed to nurture today’s Catholic youth in their faith and relationship with Christ.
“NCYC is an opportunity for young people to experience the breadth of our Catholic Church and an opportunity to have an encounter with Jesus Christ amongst their friends and all their new friends,” said Christina Lamas, executive director of the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry which organizes the event. “It provides hope, inspiration, and gives life to our present and our future Church.”
Much of the teens’ time at NCYC is spent listening to faith-nourishing and thought-provoking talks by renowned Catholic speakers.
“We look for individuals who can speak from their own personal relationship with Christ, who reflect Church teaching, who can be an example, model and witness of what it means to live a life in Christ that young people can look up to, hear their witness and see elements of that witness in their own life,” said Lamas. “We want speakers on fire for Christ who are filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Local NJ youth event
Back in New Jersey on Nov. 20, the Archdiocese of Newark coordinated a local NCYC event at the St. John Paul II center in Kearny. There was representation from 16 parishes and about 150 teens and adults.
The dioceses of New Jersey decided against a pilgrimage to the NCYC this year because of the pandemic.
“In March of 2021, I met virtually with all of the group leaders that went in 2019,” explained Richard Donovan, the associate director of the Office for Youth & Young Adult Ministry of the Archdiocese of Newark. “We discussed the reality of trying to take 120 plus teens and adults 12 hours away in the middle of COVID. Air Flights, bus travel, hotel rooms, vaccinations, Covid tests, and more.”
Instead, the one-day event in Kearny was planned in tandem with broadcasts from the NCYC. It ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Over 12 religious orders set up tables for the Vocations Row exhibit area. Several priests offered workshops, and during general sessions, the group watched livestream footage from Indianapolis of the keynote speakers.
There was music, prayer, and a presentation on how participants could get involved with the ongoing Synod listening sessions of the Archdiocese. The day concluded with a celebration of Mass.
The teens were broken up into two groups for the talks: the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” pod and the “Fruits of the Holy Spirit” pod. They attended breakout sessions such as “Is God on Your Spotify,” which highlighted the importance of worship music. Other sessions focused on St. John Paul II’s invitation to young people to be a part of the “New Evangelization.” Teens learned what it means to evangelize and discussed whether they were already doing so.
Another session entitled “Called to Courageous Community” explored the importance of community within the Church. The “Life on a Mission” session taught about living intentionally and discovering your vocation.
Bishops Michael A. Saporito and Gregory J. Studerus introduced themselves in their workshop sessions and described their vocations and faith journeys.
Overall, it was a great day, Donovan said. He noted it was the department’s first major in-person gathering since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
One of the benefits of holding a local event like this, he said, was that it allowed parishes that have not attended NCYC to get a taste of the experience.
“Hopefully, we will go back to Indy in 2023, and they will be inspired to join us,” Donovan said.
Learn more about the Office for Youth & Young Adult Ministry.
Portions of this article were written by Natalie Hoefer of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in the Criterion and were reprinted with permission. Read more news coverage of the NCYC.
Featured image: On Nov. 20, the Archdiocese of Newark coordinated a local NCYC event at the St. John Paul II center in Kearny. There was representation from 16 parishes and about 150 teens and adults. Teens from St. Michael Church in Cranford pose with the Holy Father and Cardinal Joseph Tobin. (Photo: Office for Youth & Young Adult Ministry of the Archdiocese of Newark)
