WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG March 20-April 2, 2020
FLORIDA Catholic
OR NDO DIOCESE
GLENDA MEEKINS
of the Florida Catholic staff
ORLANDO Music, skits, per- sonal testimonies of faith and time for prayer and reflection set the stage for more than 100 middle and high school youths who came to- gether to hear God's voice calling them. "It opened my eyes to a new experience, learning new things," said eighth-grader Daniella. As Confirmation approaches, she said attending the Youth Summit made her feel more confident "to show people the way of God." The St. Francis of Assisi parish- ioner traveled from Apopka with a group of peers preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Among the day's highlights, the Doug and Dave Show's presenta- tion, "Mass Confusion" - interac- tive skits set to music and brimming with humor intended to help others understand the Mass. "They (Doug Brummel and Dave Wilson) were hilarious and they taught me about things I never knew, which I love," Daniella said, adding their "goofy" format, costumes and songs made her happy. The event at St. Charles Borro- meo Parish March 7, was the brain- child of diocesan youth director Carlos Bernard, inspired by Pope Francis' April 2019 Post-Synodial Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vi- vit (Christ is Alive). The document is based on the pope's meetings with young adults over three years, as he sought to learn about their needs and desires. Pope Francis con- cluded Catholics need to stop tell- ing youth they are the church of the future. "The youth are the Church of today, now," Bernard said. In Christus Vivit , the pope states, "The community has an important role in the accompaniment of young people; it should feel collectively responsible for accepting, motivat- ing, encouraging and challenging them. All should regard young peo- ple with understanding, apprecia- tion and affection, and avoid con- stantly judging them or demanding of them a perfection beyond their years." (p. 243) After reading those words, Ber- nard thought, "Why not walk with them? They're making adult deci- sions. The youth of today need ac- companiment, so we can help them understand where they are being called in their life." The Doug and Dave Show's
Youth called Youth 'called'
to summit
Diocesan Youth Director Carlos Bernard and Bishop John Noonan wave light-up flags, rallying youth at the Called Youth Summit. (PHOTOS BY GLENDA MEEKINS FC) After encouraging youth to "do great things now", weatherman Brian Shields goes Live on Facebook, showing his 2,000 followers the inspiring messages written by young attendees of the Called Youth Summit, March 7, 2020.
quirky catechesis" as Doug refers to it, appealed to both young and old. Vocationist Father Cyril Of- fiong, also of St. Francis, was in stitches as Doug's Church Lady came in clad in pink, wearing two hats, and asking questions about why the priest kisses the altar and Mass participants have to stand up and sit down so much. The combi- nation of Doug's 20 years of youth ministry and Dave's award winning Country Music song writing gifts, made their "Catechetical Cateche- sis" fun, moving and elicited belly laughs and even tears from some in the audience. WFTV Channel 9 meteorologist Brian Shields testified, sharing his struggles with the faith as a youth and as a college student. Although he felt he had no choice in his Bap- tism and being raised in the faith, a priest who taught one of his college courses helped him understand that these were gifts from his par- ents and he could chose to accept or reject them. The idea changed his perspective. He spoke about be- ing Catholic in the world, and how he uses his celebrity to evangelize. Shields also empowered the youth to "Go and do great things." His message was not about what young people can do in the future, but what they can do in the present. Middle and high-schoolers are al- ways looking ahead, but we don't want to lose the moment we are in and the opportunities that are right in front of us," Shields said. "Our youth are doing amazing things right now. They are influencers. Look at social media." With that in mind, he invited those present to write notes, prayers, and joyful messages of hope to the more than 2,000 followers on his Facebook page-many of whom he served as a missionary in Haiti and in chil- dren's hospitals. Within moments of going "live," their words reached more than 1,000 people. It was a tangible way of showing them the opportunities that lie right before them. Recalling the late Kobe and Gigi Bryant, Shields noted Kobe's Cath- olic faith and how he went to Mass daily. He and Gigi participated in the Mass just before boarding the helicopter, the day of the fatal crash. His point was the importance of living out values and doing small things to strengthen the faith each day. Quoting Mother Teresa of Kol- kata, he said, "Do small things with great love," fueling them to small acts of charity that will change them and the lives they touch. Darryl Dziedzic, St. Mary Mag- dalen youth minister and the event's master of ceremonies, led the crowd through an examina- tion of conscience, then Father Ben Lehnertz and seminarian Kyle Fennesy came forth for the Bene- diction, ushering in Eucharistic Adoration and inviting the teens to silent reflection and the sacrament of reconciliation. For J.P., a young parishioner at Prince of Peace Parish in Ormond Beach, the hour drive with his friends was worth it. They attend- ed as part of their Confirmation retreat. He said, "Confirmation is what I've been wanting for a while now," noting his particular interest in taking the classes to learn more. He wanted to be sure of his decision and be informed about his faith. The Called Youth Summit was an- other positive component of his sac- ramental journey. The conference and his long period of discernment brought him to the conclusion: "I think I'm called to be Catholic."
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The Doug and Dave Show present Mass Confusion," a humorous series of skits and songs explaining the Mass. (GLENDA MEEKINS FC)
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