‘What happens in …’

I entitled my last column, "Pray", and I thank you for the prayers that were offered for the youth who attended the National Catholic Youth Conference and the youth who remained home involved in their many activities. Not only were your prayers appreciated, but also as I sit here on this Monday morning tired and weary from the conference, I realize how much they were answered.

I prepared and prayed for this conference for a little less than two years. Now that I am home, I will immediately begin preparing for the next conference, Nov. 8-11, 2007 in Columbus, Ohio. But for now, I will focus on the prayer offered for this past NCYC. My prayer was that each young person would find themselves on a pilgrimage to a sacred place, and that they would truly encounter our risen Lord in Atlanta. I prayed that they would find themselves engulfed in a spiritual experience that would not only change their lives forever but the lives of every person they meet.

Words can not express what I witnessed the past five days in Atlanta. Truly my prayers were answered. As I spent time with our 66 youth and 18 adult chaperones, I quickly realized that each of them in their own special way was entering into a deeply spiritual experience. A transformation was taking place in each person, and what an awesome feeling it was. Everyone was changed in some special way, and yes, every person they met and came in touch with was changed by their presence. I am humbled by having the opportunity to be part of this.

And yes, I was able to witness this same transformation in the lives of 18,000 other young people from around the United States and Canada. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine 18,000 Catholic youth gathered in one place, celebrating their faith in this special way. If anyone is looking for a little good news (see the next issue for this along with NCYC pictures) then what was experienced in Atlanta is a true sign of good news: eighteen thousand Catholic youth standing strong for their faith, entering into a deeper relationship with Christ; long lines of young people waiting to receive the sacrament of reconciliation; young people spending time in Adoration, and oh, the power of witnessing the reverence while the Blessed Sacrament was taken from the Adoration Chapel to a workshop designed to help teens grow in their understanding and appreciation for worship and Eucharist; eighteen thousand joining hands during the praying of the "Lords Prayer" during one of the prayer services.

Tears still well up in my eyes as I remember witnessing all of these young people singing together, "I’ll never know how much it cost, to see my sins upon the cross."

As I was sitting in one of the general sessions, I read the back of a T-shirt. On it was printed the words, "What happens in Atlanta, will change the world." A very powerful and true statement. Lives were changed and yes, the world was changed by our presence in Atlanta.

So my prayer continues, and I ask that your prayers continue as well. I pray that as our young people return home to their parishes, schools and communities, they will take what they have experienced in Atlanta and share this message with others. May they continue to make a difference here at home. May "what happens here in the Diocese of Dodge City, change the world."

Be present to each of our youth. Help them on this mission, walk with them, guide them, and together let us change the world.

Thank you for all that you continue to do.