NCYC asks 20,000 youth to Discover the Way

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
Nov. 15, 2007

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A sea of 20,000 youth and chaperones in a multitude of colors surrounded a boat the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio for NCYC 2007. Each person represented their state and hometown parish in a different way. The 150-plus participants from the Diocese of Sioux City wore matching T-shirts.

"I welcome you to this 29th biennial National Catholic Youth Conference," said Bob McCarty, executive director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). "Gathered here are 20,000 stories of good news and stories of young people committed to the Gospel, committed to being disciples. You are signs of God's presence. You are a sign of the power and the hope of the Catholic Church of the future lived out in the young church of today."

The conference was held Nov. 8-10 for high school age youth. The theme of the conference was Discover the Way. The boat décor to the main stage tied into that theme of discovery.

"God is good," shouted Steve Angrisano, the emcee for the weekend. The crowd responded in unison, "All the time."

"We are here because this is a celebration of the young church of today and God who calls us to discover his way," said Angrisano. "Spend some time knowing him."

He taught the participants a song that embodied the theme for the weekend, "Jesus is the way, he is the truth, he is the life."

Throughout the weekend, keynote speakers talked about discovering the way, the truth and the life. Each shared their story and how God has influenced their life.

On Friday morning, Tony Melendez, a man who was born with no arms, gave the keynote address. He plays guitar and push-button organ using his feet. His talk focused on discovering the way.

Father R. Tony Ricard talked about discovering the truth during his Friday evening keynote address. He is a priest in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the pastor at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in New Orleans. "I will survive," has become his motto while dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The Saturday morning keynote was presented by Renee Bondi, who was left quadriplegic after a bizarre accident shattered her spine. She not only lost the use of her hands and legs but also her singing voice. Her talk focused on discovering the life.

After her accident she didn't want to accept that her life was over so she asked the Lord for direction. She shared the story of her accident and how she got to where she is today.

"To this day, I still have no idea what happened. I don't have a history of sleep walking or a disease that would cause a seizure," said Bondi. "The doctors said I would never walk again and I would never have functional use of hands again. They also said I would never sing again, hmmm."

Not only did she regain her singing voice, she was also able to have a child. Her son Daniel is now 12 years old and she has been married to her husband for 18 years.

"There is no such thing as coincidence," she said. "All three of my siblings were in careers to help with my every need from fixing my wheelchair to flossing my teeth."

The Lord allowed for many things to happen in her life that helped her regain a strong relationship with the Lord.

Each day attendees were given the opportunity to go to workshops and sessions, daily liturgy, reconciliation and much more. During the workshops, participants were given the chance to discuss topics including bullying, dating, sharing the faith with family and friends, Catholic social teaching, stress management and tragedy.

Port Discovery was open for people to visit exhibitors from around the country including Catholic organizations, Catholic colleges and religious orders. Also part of Port Discovery were activities for the students such as a climbing wall and inflatable games.

Bishop Matthew Clark of Rochester, N.Y. presided at the closing liturgy for NCYC in the Nationwide Arena on Saturday evening. He was the celebrant in place of Columbus Bishop Fredrick Campbell, who was recovering from foot surgery.

"My heart is pounding," he said as he began his homily. "What a privilege and a joy it is as a bishop in our church to stand in your midst, to experience your faith, your focus, your gifts, your hopes and to be strengthened by you. I realize more deeply how our lives are fed and nourished by people like you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

He also grew throughout the weekend not only as a bishop but as a disciple.

"As I have sat here listening to our speakers, observing you, enjoying your company, I have tried to be careful to note the fundamental themes that have emerged," said the bishop. "They have spoken to me. One, to be a Catholic Christian, to be baptized into Christ's dying and rising and to share the sacramental life of the church and to minister in Christ's name really means that we have to embrace everything that is human."

He said there had been cause for tears throughout the weekend along with a lot of laughter and song.

"I have seen you extend kindness and care and consideration, not just to one another but to the people of Columbus, the staff at this arena and convention center," said Bishop Clark. "You have moved through these days able to wrap your arms around that which is painful and that which is beautiful not letting one exclude the other, but combining them in your prayer, your offering and your service to others. To me that is very Catholic."

He hopes that the theme of the Catholic faith will be something that they take home with them and make part of their daily lives.

"There are people all over this country anxious to see you again," said the bishop. "I hope when you return to your respective communities, churches and parishes that you will share your experience with them. Tell them how your being together in these days in Columbus has spoken to your heart."

During the Mass, the priests that were present helped with the distribution of the Eucharist to the whole arena. Father Brent Lingle from the Diocese of Sioux City was able to participate.

Prior to Mass, Angrisano extended a thank you to all those who made the weekend possible including everyone from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and all the volunteers from the Columbus area. He also acknowledged all of the adults who made it possible for the youth to attend the conference.

In 2009, the National Catholic Youth Conference will be held in Kansas City.