The Combined Youth Ministry in the News
Rally encourages Catholic teens
DALLAS TWP. – Hundreds of teenagers from Central, Eastern and
Northeastern Pennsylvania participated in Light the Fire 2010 Summer
Youth Rally during a daylong Catholic event held at Misericordia
University.
Jesse Manibusan signs as he sings during his ministry at the fourth
annual Light the Fire Youth Rally held at Misericordia University in
Dallas.
Fred Adams/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
The fourth annual rally coordinated by staff and volunteers from
area churches – St. Jude’s, Our Lady of the Snows/St. Benedict, St. John
Bosco/Good Shepherd churches – originally started out as a local youth
event held under a tent at St. Jude Parish in Mountain Top to help
teenagers in grades 7-12 grow in their Catholic faith, Father Brian Van
Fossen said.
Youth from the Scranton, Harrisburg and Allentown dioceses attended
concerts with performances by gospel recording artists, Full Armor and
two workshops from a multitude of choices.
Organizers relied on a simple two verse scripture in 2 Timothy to
provide direction for the rally.
“For this reason I remind you to stir into the flame the gift of God.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather of power and
love and self-control,” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 states.
The teenagers need to realize there is no shame in announcing they
are Catholic and love God, Van Fossen said. He hoped this rally would
instill that in them and help them become leaders in their own
communities.
Keynote speaker, artist and comic Jesse Manibusan, who considers
himself a Catholic lay evangelist, interacted with the students leading
them in singing and dancing during his hour-long program. He told them
of how he shared God’s love without ever mentioning Christ’s name
regarding an overseas trip he made to visit U.S. soldiers recovering in a
hospital. He encouraged the students to do the same.
“Love, generosity, courage, humility, compassion, honesty – that’s
what transforms us. We must defend the unconditional dignity of
children, women, gays, immigrants and people suffering from poverty. Let
the Holy Spirit light the fire of your faith to know what it truly
means to be Catholic,” Manibusan said.
Bishop Joseph Bambera has expressed his desire to strongly support
youth and educational events.
He said the rally’s success shows there is a future and hope within
the Catholic Church.
“We hear so much about problems in the Catholic Church and the
challenges we face, one of which is keeping our youth connected to their
faith. That can be disheartening at times, but then you witness an
event like this, with hundreds of young people coming together to
proclaim their faith in a very public way. This is such a positive sign,
and it’s very encouraging to me and everyone involved in Church
ministry,” Bambera said.
Misericordia hosts almost 400 teens for Light the Fire 2009 Summer Youth Rally 06-16-09
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| Jesse Manibusan engages the 375 audience members. |
Almost 400 regional teenagers participated in the Combined Youth Ministry’s day-long Light the Fire 2009 Summer Youth Rally at Misericordia University
The rally featured the combined youth ministries of St. Jude’s Church, Mountain Top; St. John Bosco Church, Conyngham; Good Shepherd Church, Drums; and Our Lady of the Snows and St. Benedict Church in Clarks Summit. The program was presented in the new Lemmond Theater at Walsh Hall and Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall on campus. Teenagers from as far away as Allentown, Harrisburg and Williamsport also participated in the program that included a variety of inspirational workshops, music, fun and games, Holy Hour and all-day Reconciliation.
Nationally known Catholic motivational speaker and performer Jesse Manibusan, a Catholic lay evangelist who uses music, comedy and stories to connect with people, was the guest artist. He has shared his uplifting message for thousands during performances at World Youth Day and other youth rallies.
“God gives us life,’’ the performer said. “We may have disappointments. We may be really angry or depressed. It’s good we can have a moment to say to God, ‘Thank you for life.’ ’’ Rock worship band, CatholicFX, a group of youth and young adult musicians from the Diocese of Allentown, also presented the Gospel in a dynamic way that was geared toward the young Church of today. The band blends upbeat, high-energy rock music with quiet, contemplative songs to create a dynamic and flowing worship experience that leads teens through a very powerful way to experience prayer.
In its third year, the Combined Youth Ministry Rally began as a way to bring together the youth of the region for social, spiritual and service opportunities, according to Brian Williams, director of Youth Ministry at St. Bosco and Good Shepherd Churches. “We hoped to bring together the youth of many parishes. We asked the students to provide topics that they would be interested in. It has been such a success and we are thrilled to be able to move to Misericordia University for accommodations this year.”
The program offers a variety of workshops, break-out sessions and games, such as volleyball and outdoor crafts. It is a chance for the students to pick and choose the workshops they want to attend and address issues they might be struggling with, such as peer pressure, according to Williams. “The highlight of the day is seeing 300 to 400 youngsters celebrating the Eucharist together with adults at the closing Mass. It is an awesome feeling for everyone involved,” added Williams. The all-day youth conference was sponsored by various priests and parishes throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania.
For more information about the Light the Fire 2009 Summer Youth Rally or future rallies, please log on to CombinedYM.com or call Pam Urbanski, St. Jude’s Church, (570) 474-6327 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (570) 474-6327 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; Brian Williams, St. John Bosco and Good Shepherd Church, (570) 788-1997 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (570) 788-1997 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, ext. 105; or Stephen Wallo, Our Lady of Snows and St. Benedict Church, (570) 586-1741 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (570) 586-1741 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
More than 400 Catholic teenagers from across our area spent the day getting serious about their faith at Misericordia University in Luzerne County.
Teens crowded into an auditorium at Misericorida to get fired up about their faith at the third annual Light the Fire 2009 Summer Youth Ministry Rally.
The daylong rally included music, inspirational workshops, and advice on how to stand up to peer pressure..
"Just keeping the faith, it's not really the popular thing to be a faithful person, so you continue to be a Catholic Christian in this environment is very difficult," said Michael Regula of Clarks Summit.
Teens said they not only learned about nurturing their faith, but also how to share it with others.
"I've learned how to communicate more. We've talked about prayer and about how you should, you can, do it whenever," said Julia Fick of Clarks Summit.
"I have been able to say 'This is my faith, this is what I believe, and that makes me stronger,'" said Regula.
It was also a chance for some to focus on their purpose in life.
"God, family, friends, yourself, and you always put God first and people just need to learn that, and everybody that comes here knows that," said Kayla Maselkezich of Hazleton.
Organizers of the Light the Fire event said this is the biggest turnout the rally has seen since it started three years ago.
PAHomepage.com
DALLAS, LUZERNE COUNTY-Hundreds of high school students gathered on the campus of Misericordia University Tuesday. They were there for the day long ministry rally called "Light the Fire 2009."
Motivational speakers and christian music groups took part in the event.
There were also workshops dealing with youth issues and other activities.
Organizers say the rally is designed to bring the youth of the region together both socially and spiritually.
This is the third year for the event.