Local teens wowed by national conference

The four-day event, attended by 22,000 youth and their adult chaperons from around the U.S., featured keynotes, liturgy, workshops, activities and two special sessions: a Youth Congress on Scripture attended by bishops (including Bishop Howard J. Hubbard; see his remarks beginning on page 1) and two young people from each diocese; and an Environmental Justice Training Institute attended by teams from each diocese.

The theme of the event focused on Jesus as the gateway to the future.

Excitement

"I absolutely loved it," he said. "One night, we sat on the floor of the stadium. There were 22,000 kids there, and every one was excited being there and being Catholic. There was such energy."

Jennifer Jones, a 16-year-old parishioner of St. Pius X Church in Loudonville, agreed. "It was amazing to see so many kids who share the same beliefs as me," she said.

Alanna Dolen, a 17-year-old from Holy Spirit parish in East Greenbush, came back with a desire to do more. "It was amazing," she said. "I have some new ideas and more motivation to do things in my church."

Scripture in focus

The Congress provided bishops and youth ministers with the opportunity to dialogue with youth about Scripture and offered young people the opportunity to share with Church leaders their ideas on how Scripture can be presented to young people, she said.

"We want to know how we as Church can encourage more Scripture reading and what resources are needed," Mrs. Harrison said.

Benefits of Congress

Participating in the Congress gave her a better understanding of Catholic traditions. A student at the Academy of the Holy Names in Albany, she attended Mass at school soon after returning from St. Louis.

"Mass at school made much more sense," she said. "I think I have a more religious outlook on life now."

She had concerns about attending the Congress with the bishops, noting: "I was really nervous, but they were laid back and interested in what we had to say."

Jennifer would like to do a mini-version of the Congress on the diocesan level, and is making plans to do it at her parish and at her school. Mrs. Harrison said plans would be made soon to have a similar Congress in the Diocese, held in conjunction with the Jubilee Year.

Environment

"We did activities that show how God feels when we ruin the earth," she said. "The environment should be important because it's God's creation."

Nathan, a member of his school's crew and swim teams, shared his perspective: "We should be concerned about the environment, not so much because it's nice and pretty but because it's a gift from God. We should do it for Him. Even if we don't value it, He does."

Speakers

* Nathan enjoyed listening to Suzie McConnell Serio, a two-time Olympian and starting point guard for the WNBA's Cleveland Rockers. "She said the most important thing in her life is her family," Nathan said. "She was in the Olympics, and she puts family first. It makes you open your eyes."

* He also was impressed by Craig Kielburger, the 16-year-old founder of Free the Children, an international children's organization whose purpose is to free children from poverty and exploitation, and empower young people to become leaders in the world. "He got you really feeling," Nathan said. "I was really impressed by all he's been able to do."

* Jennifer enjoyed listening to Rev. J-Glenn Murray, SJ, a teacher of homiletics and director of the Office for Pastoral Liturgy for the Cleveland Diocese. "He was amazing," Jennifer said. "He brought us back to the basic beliefs of Catholicism."

Littleton memories

Since the shootings, people often ask her "How could God let this happen?" Her response: "God gives us free will. Unfortunately, some people choose a different path."

As evidence that God was present at Columbine in the midst of the killing, Stephania that Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold planned to kill many more people.

"The number of people that were [supposed] to die was outrageous, and we got by with so few," she said. "There were so many bombs that were supposed to go off" that it was miraculous that hundreds weren't killed.

She told her fellow teens they may never understand how God can let something like the Columbine shootings happen, but that shouldn't matter. A major misconception about Christianity is the belief that God somehow makes life easier for His followers, she said.

"God can't make our lives easier," she said. "God can only bring us comfort. We are called to be Christians so that we can get through things with Christ."

(12-02-99) [[In-content Ad]]