Generation Z learns of the power and the love of God
By Emily Long
Contributing writer
On Nov. 18, 450 high schoolers from across the Diocese of Syracuse gathered at Sacred Heart Church in Cicero for the Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference. Run by the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Discipleship, the day was filled with opportunities for spiritual renewal and a lot of fun.
Youth is not the demographic typically considered eager to hear about Jesus. One might sooner think that most attended to check a box for Confirmation class rather than to learn about God. After having a large part of their lives upended by the coronavirus pandemic, living in an increasingly chaotic world and having the constant noise of technology in their ears, you would think that Generation Z just doesn’t want to give God’s love the time of day. However, as the conference would show, that was far from the truth.
Above, participants pose for pictures with hats and props in the photo booth. (Sun photo | Rick Kocienski)
The day started with Mass celebrated by Bishop Douglas J. Lucia with an unconventional homily. Bursting into song, the Bishop sang a verse from “Deep into the Stillness” from the Monks of Weston Priory. The homily centered on the upcoming season of Advent and the miracle that God is truly with us here on Earth. The Bishop encouraged the participants to take that fact and, quoting Pope Francis, let it become a “flame of hope” in their lives.
At the conclusion of Mass, Kris Frank, a speaker from Steubenville, Ohio, gave the first of the day’s two talks. His morning talk started light, with a spirited round of “This-or-That” which asks participants an array of goofy questions. Then he got into the purpose of the day, to spend the day with Jesus.
Frank grounded his talk in the Gospels, starting in the Gospel of Mark. “I started in Mark Four and I walked them through Mark Five because it’s one long day with Jesus. … We have one day here with the teens, so I thought, maybe Jesus can do something similar here with a single day,” said Frank. This day in Mark’s Gospel includes several memorable scenes including Jesus calming the storm and Jesus healing the woman who had been hemorrhaging for 12 years. Using these illustrations, Frank showed the participants the power of God in even the smallest moment.
At the conclusion of the talk priests were available for the sacrament of reconciliation, which many participants took part in. One participant, James Cass, 15, from St. Augustine’s in Baldwinsville, said, “I feel better coming out of it because I feel like cleaner — I know I have a clean slate and I feel like everyone should go through that because it’s a great feeling when you come out of it.”
After confessions, participants got to head to the parish hall for a much-anticipated lunch of Chick-fil-A. A long morning of sitting down means one thing for high schoolers — they had a lot of energy built up. Luckily for them, the gym became home to five giant inflatables offering jousting and an obstacle course. In the photo booth participants donned hats, sunglasses and props for pictures with friends. Giant checkers and Jenga were the sources of fierce and fun competition. The participants also had the time to hang out with friends, find places to talk or play card games.
After a few hours of fun, it was back to business. When the group reconvened in the church, musician John Paul Von Arx continued to lead worship music. Kris Frank’s second talk prepared the participants to take part in Adoration by talking about having a relationship with God. “The same guy who walked and lived on this planet 2,000 years ago, is present here,” said Frank. “Wherever you are, just know that God loves you.”
At the conclusion of the talk, Von Arx began to lead worship for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Von Arx described leading worship for Adoration as a culmination of the whole day. It was “really amazing,” he said, to see teens and preteens drop any skepticism after hearing the talks and the music and attending Adoration and the Mass. “It really was … a palpable change that happened in the room and just the softening of hearts,” he said, “and I really believe that … there were miracles in the youth in their hearts today, and that’s the most worthwhile thing ever.”
Leaving the conference many of the participants felt at peace and were able to really feel God’s love. According to participant Cayden McClary, 14, of St. Joseph’s in LaFayette, “It’s an amazing story of Jesus. He helped all of us back then in life and made everyone happy but he also died for us and suffered for us. It feels really good because it feels that someone has your back always.”
