Nearly 2,000 Catholic youth, clergy and chaperones brought the Region X Catholic Youth Conference in with a bang on Nov. 12, filling Little Rock’s Statehouse Convention Center with song, praise and energy for social justice. Young people from Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas took in the event, the theme of which was “Ignite Your Heart, Work for Justice, Transform the World.”
It was the first time the regional youth conference was held in Arkansas.
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In keeping with the theme, the weekend’s opening ceremony was equal parts rock concert and call to activism, liturgy and celebration. Every teen carried or wore something that lit up, flashed, sparkled or sang. The night’s performances were punctuated with youth animators, a cadre of pre-selected teens who led the crowd in dancing or singing. For three hours, the crowd scarcely took a breath.
“This is great,” Jose Loyola, a member of Our Lady of Good Hope Church in Hope, shouted. “I’ve been to events like this before and this is the best one I’ve been to. I love it that we can get together and spread the word about the Catholic faith and get so many young people involved.”
“The youth of our diocese have eagerly anticipated this day for two years,” Bishop Anthony B. Taylor said in a bilingual videotaped welcome. “You are the Church. Your participation is vital in your parishes and for your continued development in faith.”
Bishop Taylor was unable to attend the conference because of a bishop’s meeting in Baltimore.
The theme of unity was underscored from the opening performer, drummer and recording artist Kenya Masala. Masala’s high energy performance and commanding stage presence drew every congregant into the rhythm with drumsticks and plastic tubes distributed to the crowd.
“Are you ready to make a joyful noise?” he shouted. “This is you! This is what happens when we all connect! One heartbeat!”
Masala then jumped into the audience and charged through the rows of the auditorium, gathering up delegates as he went and leading them back up front. There, a wild, joyful mass of young people spontaneously danced, leapt and pounded for all they were worth.
“This spirit, this willingness to serve and connect, this is the power that unites our hearts in this journey of faith. This is the power you young people bring every day,” Masala told the crowd.
The celebratory mood and pounding music was more than just a party for the delegates. The speakers and performers were priming the crowd for the work to be done over the weekend and back home in their parishes.
“From the time were baptized, we were commissioned to go out and serve the world,” said featured speaker Brian Johnson, director of youth ministry for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. “We must be the hands, the feet, the eyes and the heart of Christ in the world. You are not too young to do that. Be open to what God has in store for you.”
Audra Seachris, an altar server and member at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Benton, said she believes participation to be a key element in the life of a young Catholic.
“The message of service work at this event is important because it teaches young people that they are needed to go out into their cities and towns and serve others,” she said.
The night’s third featured speaker, recording artist ValLimar Jansen underscored the message. Relating her experiences on an annual mission trip to Caribbean nations, she urged the young people to look for opportunities to serve, even if it takes them outside their comfort zone.
“Solidarity doesn’t mean we just work for those close to us,” she said. “Every single being on earth is valuable to God. Every single person is rare and unique to God. We do what we do not so the world will give us praise. The reward is in the serving.”
Youth sponsor Christina Acosta and her eight youth members from Odessa, Texas, rode 14 hours to get to Little Rock. They arrived late because of mechanical problems and will return home to continue fund raising efforts to pay for the trip. Still, she was all smiles at the end of the exhausting day.
“It’s so powerful for our young people to see that there are so many Catholic young people who see things the same way they do and believe the same things they do,” she said.
The three-day conference closed with Mass celebrated by vicar general Msgr. Scott Friend and priests from Oklahoma and Texas Nov. 14.
Throughout the weekend, youth performed as animators in skits that illustrate the conference’s theme. The animators represented various groups from society who were in search of wholeness and overcoming challenges. Two families — one rich and one poor — were highlighted, as were their family tables — one ornate and one simple.
Before Mass on Sunday, the final skit had both families come together as one and work together to make a brighter future for all. The two tables formed the altar for the closing Mass.
Donna Adams, a chaperone from Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith, came with 19 youth.
“All the kids have had a great time. It’s been awesome,” Adams said. “More kids have been able to come this year, and the experience has affected them so positively in both their faith and their faith connection.”
Chaperone Pat Alaniz from Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Andrews, Texas, said they were reluctant for the experience to be over.
“To me, kids are so wrapped up in games and new technology that they’re kind of gearing away from religious life and religious education. We need to bring them back. Let them get a chance to get closer to Christ,” she said. “From watching my group this weekend, they did really well. They were able to communicate more about Christ. I’m sad to see it end so early.”
The chance for teens to share their faith with peers is special, and something they said is not always easy.
“We go to a school where we’re the only Catholics,” said Audra Schluterman, 16, of Immaculate Conception in Fort Smith. “It’s something you can’t experience at school. It’s nice to have a weekend where you can get away and talk about your faith and not have to worry about school stuff and drama.”
In his homily, Msgr. Friend encouraged teens to persevere in their lives and faith and to remember those in the world who are also struggling to persevere.
“This weekend every one of us has been taught by God. There have been moments each one of us has experienced,” he said. “The point of the Gospel is to persevere — persevere in what? What is it that he’s calling us to persevere in? He’s calling us to persevere in his mission … He’s calling us, brothers and sisters, to a love that transforms the world.”
