Teens attend national youth conference
SUPERIOR -- Among the 23,000 young people attending the 2003 National Catholic Youth Conference in Houston, Texas, Nov. 13-16, there were 136 people from the Diocese of Superior.
The group, made up of both teens and adults, came from the parishes in Barron, Birchwood, Cameron, Chetek, Cumberland, Dobie, Eagle River, Grantsburg, Ladysmith, Merrill, Rice Lake, River Falls, Tomahawk, and Webster.
Chris Newkirk, assistant director of the Bishop George A. Hammes Center for Religious Education and Youth Ministry, also attended the conference. She said, "It was a good experience, but the thing that I would like to say the most is how proud I am of the young people and their mentors. They were great people to have on board with me."
Editor's note: Two young people from St. John the Evangelist Parish in Birchwood wrote reports on their experience. Excerpts are printed below.
Heather Hayes
Thursday, Nov. 13: It was a long day. We didn't get much sleep. Went to the Holocaust Museum. It was very interesting to hear real life stories and see that some of them live in Houston. I really thought the paintings there were really cool!
When we went for the opening session it was fabulous to see all the kids that were there from all over America!
Friday, Nov. 14: Walked around dome to talk with other kids and trade stuff. That was really fun. Took some pictures with kids from different places. Went and listened to Matt Smith and Jason Everett (guy from MTV) about sex before marriage. There was 15,000 kids listening to that session! The talk was interesting, funny and I got a lot out of it. Listening to younger guys talk about it made us listen more and really think about the subject.
Saturday, Nov. 15: Walked very far to everywhere. Got rained on bad. Was soaked.
Guy and girl sang and played keyboard. Talked about why we pray and how we believe in God. Put words that they talked about into music we listen to. I thought it was funny and they were very good speakers.
Sunday, Nov. 16: Went to dome for closing session. Had church in dome with everyone. It was a real good experience for all of us. We sang and listened to songs in both English and Spanish. One of the readings was in Spanish. Doing Communion was an experience. This whole trip was very fun and I got a lot out of it. I went once with no one from my church, but going with everyone and friends, it was very fun. Listening to the sessions I learned a lot and it made me think about a lot of things. I had a fabulous time!
Hayes is 16 and a junior at Birchwood High School. This was the second conference she attended.
Matthew Reidell
Thursday, Nov. 13: We took a bus out to the museum of Natural Science for lunch and to see a few of the historical sights. Then we left for the Holocaust Museum. Our guide's family was killed during the Holocaust. I already knew quite a bit of the holocaust, but the stories from survivors were very interesting.
Friday, Nov. 14: We then went to the Reliant Arena to shop and explore the vast area of religious vendors and organization books. To top off the day we went to a talk presented by Jason Everett and Matt Smith. The talk was focused on the virtue of chastity and sex. I feel that their message to hold this virtue was felt by all of the 15,000 listeners -- the show was excellent and was definitely a major point of the trip.
Saturday, Nov. 15: In Reliant Arena there was a comedy club show that we sat in on. There were three comedians. I believe that the show was meant to touch your faith through the form of song, story, and incredible action.
Sunday, Nov. 16: At reliant Park for the Mass there were half as many participants as expected. In spite of this there was twice the energy as before. The Mass was presented by an archbishop, deacons, bishops and many priests. After the most exciting Mass in my life we left for the Houston Zoo. Unfortunately the weather would not cooperate. Rain soon came and the heat and humidity took its toll.
Reidell is 14 and a freshman at Birchwood High School. This was his first National Youth Conference.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2003