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"Kids need a foundation," says Sarah O'Leary, a 14-year-old from the Catholic community of St. Patrick's in Athens and Catskill.

She believes she'll get one when she attends the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in November in Indianapolis, Ind., along with 222 other youths from across the Albany Diocese, their chaperons and Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger.

The first NCYC was held in 1983. Now held every two years, the conference brings together Catholic teenagers for prayer, community-building, music, comedy, workshops and exhibits on the faith.

Sarah said she wants to be inspired by the Masses and speakers at NCYC and find the tools to craft a meaningful and faith-filled future.

Not only has NCYC grown over the years, said David Stagliano, diocesan associate director of college campus ministry and coordinator of youth and young adult ministry, but so has the delegation from the Diocese of Albany. This year's group represents 36 parishes around the Diocese.

"More people are finding out about it," he said. "It's word of mouth by the young people."

Can't wait
Meghan Ames, a 17-year-old from St. Patrick's in Athens, found out about NCYC through friends who'd attended past conferences. Although this will be her first NCYC experience, she'll be reuniting with new friends she met while attending the papal Mass at Madison Square Garden in September.

"I'm mostly excited for the Matt Maher adoration part," she continued, referring to a Christian recording artist who'll be performing at NCYC.

Mr. Stagliano noted that the conference gives teens an opportunity to experience "big Church" -- the universal Church, as opposed to their local parishes -- and get "a different view than what they're used to."

"I'm looking forward to being with kids who have the same faith as me," said 17-year-old Sarah Meemken of St. Henry's parish in Averill Park. "I'm a concert junkie all the way, so I'm really excited about the musical part of it."

This year's NCYC will include music-based worship and a youth music competition. The masters of ceremony for the conference are Christian musicians and speakers Jackie Francois Angel and Paul J. Kim.

Life-changing, please

This will also be Sarah Meemken's first time at NCYC. "I hope it's life-changing like people say it is," she said. "I can't wait to tell other young people at my church" about the experience.

Sarah O'Leary is looking forward to the "gear swap" that's become an NCYC tradition: Groups bring something specific to their area, such as a t-shirt with the Diocese's logo on it or a knick-knack from the Capital Region, to swap with other youths from around the country. The Albany teens are "giving hats and other stuff," Sarah explained.

Among the NCYC events are daily liturgies, workshops, general sessions and a "thematic park" called Camp Tekakwitha, a summer camp-like activity during which the teens will knit hats and write notes for homeless people, learn about life in developing nations, scrapbook for people in hospice care and make t-shirts for Haitians in need. Youths are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, jeans or shoes to benefit aid organizations. The thematic park will also feature a giant Game of Life.

Finding funding
In order to attend the conference, many of the teens participate in parish fundraisers. While some parishes use time-tested car washes or bake sales, others get more creative: for example, All Saints on the Hudson parish in Mechanicville/Stillwater sponsors "Take Stock in Youth," having young people talk about NCYC during Masses and ask parishioners to become "stockholders" by helping the youths to attend the conference.

"When we get back, we have a dinner for the stockholders" where the teens present a slideshow, give out mementos from the conference and talk about their experiences, said seventh-grade catechist Debbie Clements.

The parish also holds traditional fundraisers like bottle drives.

The experience isn't only good for the youths, said Mr. Stagliano, who has attended NCYC more than 10 times.

"It helps the adults connect better with the young people. It gets me reenergized," he told The Evangelist. "It's a matter of seeing the young people have their experiences of faith."[[In-content Ad]]

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