I Send You Out
At rally, youth told to use gifts for others

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
November 17, 2005

LE MARS - In opening comments at the 2005 Youth Rally held at Gehlen Catholic School, the director of youth ministry for the Diocese of Sioux City reminded the 1,000 youth gathered there that through the Gospel Jesus has said, "I send you out."

"I think this is a wonderful opportunity to show the universality of our church," added Jessica La Fleur, director of youth ministry. "We are all here together to praise the Lord and have a good time."

I Send You Out was the theme of the rally and its message was woven throughout the day. The opening prayer, done by way of a reflection and skit, was led by Bishop Heelan High School students of Sioux City. The students sent the message of the importance of letting their faith shine through their actions.

John Angotti of Memphis was the keynote speaker. Centering his message on the theme, I Send You Out, the speaker held the attention of the youth through a mixture of song, personal stories and humor.

Encouraging the teenagers to reflect upon their lives, he asked many "What if.." questions such as what if you could change one thing - what would that be, what if you couldn't fail - what would you do, what if you had to choose between everything you ever wanted or an eternity with God.

"That's a difficult question or is it? There is only one answer and the thing to remember is that we are here only for a second. We are only here for a moment and in that moment, we have to figure out what's our purpose, what does God need us for," said Angotti.

He told them that their souls define who they are and added that while every person may have different gifts and skills, everyone had the talent to love others, to be kind and generous.

"I would like you to realize that we are spiritual beings having a human experience, instead of human beings who have periodical spiritual experiences," said Angotti. "We are spiritual beings first."

He stressed the fact that each person was made differently. He compared them to musical notes on a staff. While some notes may appear more significant, each and everyone is special and necessary to come together for great a symphony.

The speaker acknowledged that when people come together for the Eucharist, that is the one place where everyone is on common ground.

"It doesn't matter how much money you make, where you live, if you have a lot of hair or not, it's about meeting on this common ground. When we meet today for the liturgy, it is the only place where we come to meet on common ground," said Angotti, who added that it doesn't happen in athletics, the scholastic world or in business.

The question that everyone at the rally must ask himself or herself, he said, was whether or not they believed. The speaker pointed out that they must be strong because the devil will try to work against them. He warned that it is not always going to be easy and throughout their life there will be times of sadness.

"You can't always find happiness, sometimes you will be sad. But in the sadness you can find the joy because in the end there is resurrection and redemption," he said.

Prior to closing with his song "I Send You Out," he called Father Kevin Richter, president of Gehlen Catholic School, forward. The speaker asked the young men at the rally to listen carefully to what's in their hearts so that they might hear the call of God. Father Richter gave the students a blessing as they went forth to attend workshops.

The rally-goers had the option to attend two of 20 workshops. The workshop topics ranged from Scripture to reconciliation, service and facing conflict.

After the workshops, the youth gathered once again in the gymnasium for Mass. Father Richter was the celebrant as Msgr. Roger Augustine, diocesan administrator, was in Washington D.C. for the U.S. bishops meeting.

In the homily, Father Richter pointed out that he recently had a friend die in a car crash.

"The question I would like to present to you is if it were me, if my life suddenly ended today and I was standing face-to-face with God. What would God say to me? What would I say to God?" The priest said, "Don't forget the theme of this rally - I Send You Out. You see, your talents are not just for you."

Father Richter said it is the Christian call for people to use their talents in mission - to be sent forth.

As his homily drew to a close, he said, "My prayer with you and for you today is please don't let it be a sudden disaster that comes upon you that invites you to say, 'Who am I before God?' Let it be a choice you make each day to say yes. God give me all that I am because I know it comes from you. I am a child of the light."

At the end of the Mass, La Fleur presented the Diocesan Youth Ministry Awards to one adult and one youth. The awards went to Erica Schueder of Cherokee, a freshman at Briar Cliff University; and Sue Hrasky of Nativity Parish in Sioux City. (See story on page 3.)

The response to the rally was very positive.

Cody Langel of Le Mars, a student at Gehlen, said he learned a lot from the speaker and workshops.

"The Mass was awesome," he said. "It was great."

Sherri Rienfeld, a youth from Primghar, said she liked the keynote speaker.

"His music was good and he had a good point. He reached us," she said.

Anna Geier of Le Mars, a student at Gehlen, said she liked the opening of the rally when John Angotti was singing.

"Here at Gehlen we listen to him a lot and we get involved with that type of music," she said. "What he spoke about was really cool, too. I liked the workshops, too."

La Fleur extended gratitude to the Gehlen Catholic School community for hosting the event.