NCYC 2007

National Catholic Youth Conference:
20,000 young people celebrating their faith.

Columbus Ohio is where I found myself about ten days ago. It remains on my mind still.
Attending NCYC as just a chaperone this year rather than a full time youth minister is something I am still processing and learning to adapt to.

I felt a bit awkward and I was uncertain of my role. I enjoyed seeing a number of old friends but there wasn't enough time to catch up as they were busy with their responsibilities. However, my chaperone role of only one youth (my son) did give me personal time that I wouldn't have had otherwise.


If you have never been to a National Catholic Youth Conference, I am fairly certain it would not look at all like one might expect. It looks unlike any other religious event. Some might even say it just looks like a party!

But I know different.
I have seen first hand how the experience can impact a young person's faith formation.

Young people make living life holy.
They find holiness in the most ordinary things.

I find this way of living contagious. When I am around youth I find God in the most wonderful of ways. I see God in their eyes, in their passion, in their energy, in their faith. That is what I love about young people. Finding God in new ways.

Over the years of leading groups of youth to NCYC, YNIA and other such faith experiences I have watched them be surrounded by peers who share the same faith and I have watched them be empowered to share with friends and family when they get back home. Its as if they find safety and confidence in numbers.



Being able to join my son as he experienced his first NCYC was one of the best gifts a parent can receive. Watching him grow in his faith and come home feeling more confident and comfortable with who he is as a young Catholic is a treasure I will hold in my heart.