VCYC

The Vermont Catholic Youth Conference in June was AWESOME!

There were I think around 180 participants this year! Praise God! The Capuchin Franciscan Friars of the Renewal were greatly received! So many people were touched by these gentle souls. And the Sisters of Life from New York were a perfect addition/combination to this year's conference!

Steve Angrisano, a Nationally recognized Catholic youth speaker, was phenomenal! There was beautiful music and prayers the entire weekend, I think everyone went to confession! I really wonder how we can follow up with next year's conference.

The planning of the Vermont Catholic Youth Conference (VCYC) of 2011 is in the works, and it's looking like another wonderful year! We have so many wonderful young priests in our diocese, spreading graces of God like wildfire, and our beloved Bishop is doing wonders in the parishes through them! I think the last straw that should fall into place is the youth response. I've seen so many apathetic kids going into these conferences and coming out changed people. Will this hold true in Vermont, the most irreligious state of the U.S.? I know that whatever happens now is the Divine Will of God, with so many praying and pushing for youthful enthusiasm for our Catholic Church.

Blessed Pier Giorgio: pray for us

Blessed Chiara Badano: pray for us

Vermont Catholic Youth Conference 2010

Big plans for July 10th and 11th!

This year's MC will be STEVE ANGRISANO!!! Also we will have over 20 religious visiting for this event from Sisters of Life based in NY and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal!

This is going to be awesome!!!

Mark your calenders and register for VCYC this year!!!

The planning meetings continue and we are hoping for a very large crowd!

NCYC promo

"NCYC" promotional video!


Seriously CHECK THIS OUT! I went when this video was made (Columbus, Ohio) and the feeling of God's presence among 20,000 other kids like me was overpowering. I laughed, I cried, I gasped and I sighed. There's hardly any words to describe an experience like this.

Mainly, there were two places the even was hosted at. One was the stadium where those shot of thousands of people were taken and the other was a huge building where the games and some 'general sessions' were(other talks for people of different interests). The second building is the one where so many of us were actually able to meet in person the various speakers and singers/musicians.

With all my heart, I pray everyone can experience a love for God as I have experienced at NCYC.

God Bless
Benny

Sorry! Writing more soon!

So there is this huge retreat called NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference) that takes place this year in Cansas City, Missouri!

I am having difficulty figuring out how I am going to pay for going but I'll figure a way!

The other retreat that I am hoping to attend is called "Stubenville East". I'm not sure where the exact time and place is but there you have it!

Hope to write more on the subject later! God bless <3

Confirmation!

I almost forgot!!!

I got confirmed this Easter at the Vigil Mass! I went through the RCIA class for that so I could study different things than my peers were learning in the traditional Confirmation Class. I wanted more in depth lessons and a change of schedule. (Sundays just weren't cutting it...) Wednesdays were better and I got to know some interesting people along with solid information I was grateful to learn.

This is what happened:

First, Father called up the people that were getting baptized, then down through a list until it got the the people getting confirmed; the last sacrament. I was last in line though we all stayed on the alter. Father went all down the row, confirming us. Finally we all stood in a row across the alter with a pot of lilies in our hands while people clapped.

I'd just like to add one thing that was a continual frustration. Sparkles..... They were everywhere! This was mostly because of the dress I'd picked out for the event. Every time I took a step or brushed the material with my hand, sparkles showered the ground. My feet were really bright by the end of the night. Not to mention the floor of my bathroom at home of any of the floors I besparkled by simply walking on. The next day, I served the 11 o'clock mass. Father had one on his forehead and C and I almost burst from laughing when we stood there for him to wash his hands before the consecration. I know, I know. Not the best time to find something amusing... Ah well!

After the mass, we had a reception downstairs in the hall. This was nice, with people congratulating me and so on. But I felt I didn't deserve the attention half as much as any of the others that had been in the class. They were the ones taking the big step. I felt so exited to be confirmed. I was not disappointed in the least.

My Easter was wonderful! The dinner was delicious as I might have predicted, but just as memorable as the last Easter dinner. I am glad to be blessed as I am with my family and friends, but so many things I take for granted pass me by everyday. What are they? I am trying to look closely at my life. What can I improve? Of course, at that, about a thousand things come to mind. Growing in virtue will make these things better but that is easier said than done.

I am praying for all souls, especially the ones who take time to read this dull blog because I know they can only be people who feel bad if they don't. This is admirable and I don't release you from that. I need someone to read this blog...

The only thing I hope is that somehow I can help infinitesimally in bringing someone closer to God by informing you of wonderful things that happen to and for these Ladies in Mary's Grace.

God Bless

Meet Bridge

Hello again!


Now, I introduce myself after introducing the Blog.

I am a cradle Catholic. I went to a Private Catholic School until fifth grade in which I started homeschooling. When I started homeschooling, I was still relatively naive about my faith and how to really praise and follow God. JJ and C started getting involved in Youth Ministry almost immediately (we started homeschooling at the same time) and making new friends. I couldn't wait until I was old enough to join the youth group they were in!

Shortly after I started homeschooling, I realized more and more how much I hadn't been taught about the Catholic Church while in school. Was this because the government didn't like Catholics? Maybe I was in the middle of a revolution! I found, instead, that my parents had only counted on the school to teach me what I needed to learn about the faith. This is highly inadvisable if this is what some are doing. A school can only do so much after teaching you about Science, Math, Geography, History... so on and so forth. They are not responsible for my faith life.

When I started to find out about all the things I hadn't been taught in school about Catholicism, I started going to retreats and getting more involved in my faith. Mom and Dad wanted me to get a better grip on what the youth do in our diocese/state. JJ and C were both involved in making retreats so I naturally went to one that they helped make. My first was called "Middle School Youth Rally". While I can't say it was the best experience with retreats(I've been to so many wonderful ones), it was eye opening. There were a lot of youth there putting it on (two of them being C and JJ) and leading the middle schoolers, respectfully talking about prayer and Jesus Christ. Passion blazed their words when they talked about God and His Mercy that I was very taken aback. The group of youth putting this on was called the Diocesan Youth Council. At this time, I was only about 12. It made an impression...

After I turned 14, I was admitted into the Diocesan Youth Council long after applying two years before, hoping to slip into the group. I was denied at first, but only because I was under than the suggested grade and age while other people wanted to join the group. I was, as you can imagine, really exited when I got in. At the same time I got into the DYC, my mother and I were asked to join a group called the Vermont Catholic Youth Workers. They are a group of adults who provide resources and training for other adults in Catechises and youth oriented programs in the Catholic Church. The reason they wanted me was for a Youth's perspective on what adults should teach other youths. This sounded interesting so we said yes. Since then, C has joined this group. (My mother was invited because she seemed the perfect adult addition.)

In the middle of this whole process, I was attending many retreats and going on spiritual pilgrimages with my family (including World Youth Day which we will talk a lot about later.). I came to love the people I went to these retreats with and respect those that made it happen. I really couldn't have gone to most of the things I've gone to if it weren't for a specific three people.
God really is awesome!

In Christ,
Bridge

Meet C. ...

Hi, Bridge explained this blog rather well, so I don't actually have to say much on that account.

I want to share a bit of my faith story, and my retreat story too! (they have much to do with each other).

The first retreat that I ever went to was called Youth 2000. It took place in Massachusetts, and it was a weekend retreat (as opposed to a one day retreat). Youth 2000 is hosted by the Franciscans(I think it's the Friars of the renewal, but I'm not positive). They are so wonderful! They really bring out the feeling of the true Faith. They breath life into the Church, they describe and explain things so well, as to open me up to even consider the religious life!

This retreat followed the basic awesome retreat schedule:
Registration
Food
Mass/Prayer
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for Perpetual Adoration(through the night and everything!)
Lights Out by 11:00 or so
Wake Up at around 6:30 or 7then Breakfast
____________________________________________________
This day(usually Saturday) is the day that all the talks and workshops happen.
At Youth 2000 we also have small group times to discuss the talks, and all the Speakers are Franciscans! The most common talks to have would be the Vocational talks, and then you can have talks based somewhat on that year's theme.
____________________________________________________

The meals happen throughout, and a couple of breaks. We don't want to make this retreat too grueling! ; )

I remember one year, the talk that was given in the evening was about the Way of the Cross. A talented Franciscan did an awesome in depth talk (he had props and it was very involved) about the way it must have been like for the Lord to be crucified back then, and what the crucifiction entailed.

Youth 2000 also trains an awesome team of youth who help outat the retreat and are the small group leaders. Though, I think they had to cut back on the youth help, since last time they had Brothers and Sisters leading the small group sessions.


As for my faith story, I usually just think of my vocational discernment, and what journey that has taken me on.

It think I will save that story for next week... ; D

Love you all!!

in Christ,
C.