Youth Rally 2003 inspires and entertains

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
October 30, 2003

CARROLL - "Cast all of your worries on Jesus, for he cares about you." (1 Peter 5:7)

Tying into this Scripture verse, the theme of Youth Rally 2003 was "Lean on Me." The theme was selected by the diocesan youth core group. This group consisting of youth and adults throughout the diocese was instrumental in organizing the rally.

There were 1,434 persons registered to attend this annual youth event that was held Oct. 26 at Kuemper High School in Carroll. Counting musicians, volunteers, diocesan core group members and workshop presenters, well over 1,500 participated.

Christian music led by Jim Doyle of Sloan and a group of talented high school students set the mood for the rally as they opened the rally and led music for the two Masses held during the day.

"I thought Jim and his band was the highlight of the day," said Dr. Stephan Davis, director of youth and intergenerational ministry for the diocese. "They are so talented and energetic. Jim is a fun song leader. He performs a couple of tunes that I have never heard anyone else do, including a revved up version of the classic children's song Jesus Love Me, This I Know. Jim's version features a Jesus-cheer that really gets the crowd going."

The band consisted of Ben Grant of Sutherland on keyboards, vocals and bagpipe; Chad Driscoll, a member of diocesan core group of Sioux City, on guitar and vocals and Alex Lohr of Sioux City on drums. April Anderson of Sanborn and Andrea Jenson of Pocahontas helped lead the vocals with other youth from the diocesan core group along with Heelan High School students.

After this performance, the diocesan core group presented a skit that centered on the need for people to put down their masks that can hid their true personalities and values. They asked the youth to open their heart to Jesus.

Next, Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo recognized the Bishop Lawrence D. Soens Youth Ministry Awards winners. There were three winners - one youth and two adults. The youth recipient was John Sandy of St. Mary Church in Spirit Lake, a first-year college student at St. John Vianney College Seminary. The adult recipients were Stephanie Alcarez of St. Boniface Church in Sioux City and Shannon Duffy, the new DRE of the Greene County parishes.

Vince Nims, known as The Banana Guy, delivered the keynote address that incorporated music, storytelling and humor.

He told those gathered that as a talented high school baseball players he had aspirations to play pro ball at Dodger Stadium. When he didn't make the college team, his dream had been shot down. Nine years later, he was invited to lead a youth day for 14,000 high school students. Ironically, the event was held at Dodger Stadium.

"On May 20 of the year 2000, I walked onto Dodger field as a player. Not as a baseball player, but as a guitar player - a Catholic singer. And that is a story about how life can happen on God's terms and not ours," said Nims.

He told them that right now, they may not know why they were at the rally but eventually they would. Through attending the rally, he noted, they were able to get a glimpse of the bigger church, the diocesan church.

"I want you to think about your life. I don't know who you are or where you come from. I don't know if you have a great family or a broken family. I don't know if you have a good attitude or a bad attitude. I don't know if you are into your faith or out of it. Today, none of that matters. All that matters right now is that you are here," said Nims.

He reflected on various unfair social justice situations present in this country and around the world.

"There is something surreal about our reality. The things that happen around us can sometimes seem impossible, but they happen anyway. But today, I ask you personally, I challenge you, I plead with you - like Paul did in Romans, Chapter 12, verse 2: Do not conform yourself to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind," asked Nims.

He told them that they were a gift from God. He asked them to remain committed to the church and stressed that they must become church-doers and not be merely church-goers.

Following the keynote address half of the rally-goers attended Mass that was celebrated by Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo and half went to two workshops. Then the schedules reversed.

During his homily the bishop reflected on the day's Gospel reading. He commented on the faith of Bartimaeus. After Jesus had given sight to this blind man, Christ had told him he could go his own way. Bartimaeus opted to follow Jesus. The bishop said the importance of this Bible story lied in the strong faith statement it made.

"Friends, the Gospel today is a lesson in faith. It is a catechism class in narrative. And the point is this, Jesus doesn't want anything except our lives and our hearts," said Bishop DiNardo.

He told the youth that if they are willing and able, Christ will help them see. He asked them to see with the eyes of faith. The bishop said he didn't merely want them to be hungry for their faith, but famished.

Kristina Paul, a high school student from LeMars, described the rally as fun.

"I liked all of the singing," she said. "I liked how the speaker got us all involved."

Paul pointed out that the rally inspired her. She acknowledged that she wasn't always the best about going to church, but now plans on it.

Kim Ruyter of Sheldon said the keynote address made her want to settle down and become a better person. She thought the Mass was "cool" and admitted that she spoke with the bishop after the liturgy and he gave her a hard question for the workshop Stump the Priest.

Another high school student from Danbury, who didn't want to give his name, said he really liked the Mass. He also enjoyed the keynote address as he got the crowd moving along with providing a positive message.

Youth had the opportunity to select two workshops from over 20 presented during the rally.

Davis pointed out that the rally featured a number of new workshops at this year's rally, including Let Peace Begin with Me by Bernadette Rixner; Liturgy of the Senses by Betty Ann Rosfjord, Mary Moorman and Karen Schwaller; and The Sanctity of Life by Marilyn Naughton of Birthright. A surprising hit, he noted, was a workshop titled Knotted Rosary presented by Carolyn von Tersch, Jane Schnell and the Exodus youth group leaders.

"I was very pleased that youth groups from St. Michael Kingsley, St. Boniface Charter Oak and St. Mary Ute designed their own new workshops," said Davis. Charter Oak-Ute came up with Need to Improve Your Love Life?, a workshop on 'heating up' our most important relationship with God. The Kingsley group presented a workshop on how young Catholics can deal with suicide."

In addition to Doyle's band and the keynote address by Nims, there were also two concerts. Paul Kreier of Vermillion, S.D., presented a workshop titled Christian Music 101 and LeVel*HeAdEd from Boone/Ames performed hard, alternative rock prior to the dance that closed out the day.

Volunteers helped the day run smoothly.

"I am extremely grateful for Beth Bruner, who organizes the event from the Kuemper side," said Davis. "Her planning and the wonderful volunteers that she recruits makes the day possible."