BLACK MOUNTAIN — High school students from 17 parishes around the Diocese of Charlotte attended the 48th annual Diocesan Youth Conference May 2-4 at Ridgecrest Conference Center. The event was sponsored by the diocese’s Youth Ministry Office.
The conference theme was “Rescued,” and its goals were to help youth to develop a personal relationship with Christ, solidify their moral values and character and reach a deeper understanding of what it means to be rescued by Jesus.
Keynote speakers included Father Pat Cahill, pastor of St. Eugene Parish in Asheville, Louisiana-based retreat leader and musician Anne Trufant, and Dr. Matt Harrison.
There were workshops on the Beatitudes, dealing with anxiety and despair, different cultural heritages and worship traditions in the Church, overcoming sin, and responding to the problem of human trafficking as part of the Catholic pro-life programming focus.
Youth had time for fellowship and activities as well as for prayer, including the opportunity to go to confession, attend Mass and adore the Blessed Sacrament. A Eucharistic procession was held on May 3, while Masses were celebrated by Father Cahill and Father Shawn O’Neal, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Brevard.
As Bishop Michael Martin wrote to participants: “You don’t have to wait until you’re older or have it all figured out to make a difference. Right now – in your school, on your team, among your family and friends – you’re called to bring the healing presence of Jesus.”
“This is our ‘rescue mission’ as disciples of Jesus!” he noted.
— Christina L. Knauss
