Led by Steven Polley, Director of the Offices of Youth Ministry and Religious Education, the Oct. 18 Junior High Youth Rally at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe brought youth together from across the diocese under the theme, "Hungry—Why Wait?"

In breakout sessions by the Diocesan Youth Council, participants learned important lessons, such as the importance of recognizing that Christ exists in all people, and that one shouldn’t judge others by their outward appearance.

Keynote speaker Marc Ortiz discussed how he had come to know and understand the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and encouraged the young people to work toward that same conversion.

The next junior high youth rally is scheduled for Nov. 13, 2004.

"I was pleased with how things went," Polley said. "We’re continually looking at ways to enhance the experience and make it more dynamic."