September 23, 2011
Reflection
Youth Rally: ‘Do this in memory of me’
By ZOE CANNON (Sacred Heart Church, Vincennes)
In living our faith, people may sometimes doubt the things we say, but they will always believe in the things we do. Scripture tells us, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1. The life of Jesus on earth taught us to walk in the presence of God, preach the Word of God, and shepherd the people of God. I recently took part in an event where faithful people were following his teachings with a “Youth Rally” planned for our diocese.
I entered the road driving up to the Catholic Center in Evansville on Sunday, Sept. 18. I had made the trip from Vincennes many times before for meetings or events at Sarto Retreat House, but this time I really thought I had made a wrong turn. The property had been transformed into a giant inflatable playground. People were setting up tents for the display areas, playing music, and preparing food for 400 high school students from around the diocese. Though it was raining, the forecast did not dampen the spirits of those who had spent 14 months planning this “Youth Rally.”
The Youth and Young Adult Director for the Diocese, Steve Dabrowski, met me at my car with a big smile. It had been raining all morning, but by noon the sun was shining. Steve said he went to Mass and asked the Blessed Mother to help make the day a success. He was praying the rain would stop until the outdoor events were enjoyed and we could move inside for a Convocation and Mass with Bishop Charles C. Thompson. Steve was convinced that the blue sky at noon was Mary’s Mantle protecting us.
The events of the day were being reorganized because the radar showed another weather front coming into the area later in the afternoon. It was decided early on, that by 3:30 p.m. we would move inside for the remainder of the day. The afternoon sun was hot and the outdoor events were a huge success. When we entered the gymnasium at 3:35 p.m. the thunder and rain began to hit the roof with a roar.
The witness of God’s hand in this joyful day was very evident. The answered prayer for good weather was just a small part of his plan for the young people participating. These 400 high school students were involved in everything from kickball, ultimate Frisbee, corn hole board games, and line dancing on the parking lot; they were challenged by an obstacle course, and a karaoke competition, just to name a few of the activities. But the greatest attention grabber was when Benedictine Sister Michelle Sinkhorn, with Fathers, Jason Gries and Alex Zenthofer, our Diocesan Vocation Directors, each suited up for the Velcro Wall. Most people will never see their parish priest or religious sisters dressed in colorful Velcro jumpsuits, or see them jumping high in the air and throwing themselves into a wall, where they stuck! Seeing was believing!
The main presenter for the day was Chris Stefanick, a Catholic speaker from the Archdio-cese of Denver, who captivated and engaged this audience with a message on “Balancing God and Technology.” Seminarians from St. Meinrad and Simon Bruté Seminary in Indianapolis came for the day to enjoy the activities and celebrate Mass with our bishop, who had just returned from a two week visit to Rome with Pope Benedict XVI. I am certain he was tired from his travels, but his enthusiasm for these young people was a wonderful witness of truly living the faith. In his homily he reminded them it was Catechetical Sunday, and that we are all called to be teachers of the faith in our words and actions. “We are all called to model something.” He encouraged them to be good role models for Jesus.
How providential and appropriate for this “Youth Rally” to be planned on Catechetical Sunday. Many of our diocesan catechists, youth ministers and directors of religious education, priests and religious sisters were involved in the day. They were walking in the Presence of God, preaching the Word of God, and shepherding the people of God while throwing Frisbees, tossing bean bags, rolling kick balls, cooking hotdogs, and “suiting up” in Vel-cro. A great witness of how we each play a role, by virtue of our Baptism, in handing on the faith, which nourishes both the evangelizer and those being evangelized.
The theme for this Catechetical Sunday 2011 was “Do this in Memory of Me.” Ending this great “Youth Rally” with Eucharist and a blessing from our new bishop was something to remember. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to take part in this beautiful day of sharing God’s love with the future leaders of our Catholic Church, in the Diocese of Evansville, and beyond. I know each person left that assembly energized and rededicated to the mission of proclaiming the eternal Word of God, and building up the community of faithful. Something we certainly hope for, and could definitely observe at the Catholic Center on Sunday, September 18, 2011, people living their faith, not just in what they say, but in what they do. Amen!