Teens to step out in faith at national conference

 
  More than 23,000 people are expected at the “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) being held Nov. 21-23 in Indianapolis, sponsored by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM).
    Among the crowd will be approximately 150 teens, adult chaperons and Archbishop Gregory Aymond from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, said John Smestad Jr., director of the archdiocesan CYO/Young Adult Ministry office.
   
  “It’s an experience of large church that most teenagers won’t experience in any other way,” said Brigitte Burke, associate director for youth ministry of the CYO/Young Adult Ministry office who also is on the NFCYM board as the Region 5 representative. “To celebrate Mass with 20,000 people is incredible.”
    Burke has seen attendance at the conference double since she started going as a teen in 1997. In fact, it’s so big, that much of the entertainment, general sessions and closing liturgy are being held at Lucas Oil Stadium where the Indianapolis Colts play football.
Who’s speaking locally

    Several people from the archdiocese are keynote speakers and workshop presenters.
    Ansel Augustine, director of Black Catholic Ministries for the archdiocese, has been attending the conference since 2007 and will give the last keynote address on the “Delivered” segment of the conference theme, concentrating on what Jesus endured during the crucifixion and to let teens know that Jesus is always there, no matter what they are going through.
    “Jesus delivers,” he said.
    To amp up his spirited talk even more, Augustine formed the Psalm 119 Step Team by inviting young adults who had signed up for the convention to participate. This team has held nine, two-hour practices.
    Augustine said young audiences relate to young step dancers, who use their bodies in movement to give praise to God.
    “When I’m up there, I want the people to see the archdiocese and what we can do,” Augustine said about his keynote. “What better way for young people to get motivated than seeing other young people step?”
    Augustine also will present the “God is Talking. Are you Listening?” workshop with Father Daniel Green.
    Other local presenters include Father Tony Ricard, who teaches at St. Augustine, giving the all-male workshop “Thuggin’ for Jesus: Ain’t Got Time to Sag,” and Beth Joubert, youth minister at St. Matthew the Apostle in River Ridge, presenting “Be the Party,” Nov. 22 with young adults Maddie LaForge and TeeJay Nash II to motivate youth to take an active role in their church parish.
    Mount Carmel Academy students Christian Hera and Emily Ricalde also were selected as “Youth Animators” at the conference and will lead song, worship, dance and other inspirational programs.
    “We say they are the church of today all the time, but we have to let them be the church of today,” Joubert said. “We don’t give them many opportunities to do it.”
    She said Maddie and TeeJay will relay their joys and challenges in the church as teenagers and how other youth can be part of the church.
    “We are going to challenge them to get involved in their parishes, to become a reader (not just join CYO or be a youth leader),” Joubert said. “When you go to college, it remains a part of who you are; it is instilled in you. And you can always fall back on it. It is always there waiting.”
    Joubert, a long-time convention attendee, said the convention Mass blows teens away when they are worshipping with 20,000 people.
    “It is so moving, and they feel they are not alone,” Joubert said. “They can leave New Orleans and feel they are not alone. It goes to show that our church is so universal. That Catholic faith comes into play. It is alive.”
What teens gain
    Several of the Psalm 119 Step Dancers are repeat convention attendees.
    “It was cool to see people from all over the country your age so into the same faith as you are,” St. Mary’s Dominican student Julia Delesdernier, 17, said. “It made me feel not alone in my faith.”
    Allison Chartier, now a junior at Academy of Our Lady, was a freshmen still developing her faith the first time she attended the conference.
    “I know now what I believe,” she said. “I am Catholic. With so many youth, it’s eye opening. You could feel the spirit there at closing Mass.”
    As a youth minister, Burke finds it powerful to watch teens and young adults so comfortable sharing their faith with others, not just at the convention either, but when walking down the street to random people who ask why they are in town.
      “They realize they are not alone and that there are others who believe the same thing, and it’s OK to share it,” she said.
    Two years ago, Burke remembered a comment from a 17-year-old whom she brought to the convention for the first time. That teen said seeing all those Catholics in one place at Mass was the first time he believed Jesus was real. She said that’s why she continues to do what she does and bring teens there.
    “One of the things I love about it (the convention) is seeing our young church alive; seeing how excited they are about sharing their faith … to see their witness. I think it gives them confidence to come home and be evangelizers here,” Burke said.
    Those not able to attend can stream some parts of the conference live on the Internet, including Augustine’s keynote on Nov. 23 at 8:20 a.m. Visit www.ncyc.info.
    Christine Bordelon can be reached at cbordelon@clarion herald.org.