For Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, the love that teens showed for the Eucharist at Lucas Oil Stadium in November during a night of adoration and the closing Mass at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis was a preview of the National Eucharistic Congress to be held in the same city and stadium July 17-21 next year.
Yen Fasano offers her time as a chaperone for the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) because she believes in the mission to bring young people to see the universal Church with their peers “worshipping and growing in faith and holiness.”
At the closing Mass of the National Catholic Youth Conference, Indianapolis Archbishop Charles C. Thompson encouraged the nearly 11,000 teens from across the country to return home with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
A spirit of joy permeated Lucas Oil Stadium as the call-and-response rang out. But it was not the typical call heard in the stadium home of the Indianapolis Colts. Nor was it led by any ordinary fan.
The National Catholic Youth Conference drew 20,000 youths from across the country to Indianapolis to be inspired by a wide variety of speakers, energized by lively, faith-filled music and to share in fun fellowship with Catholic peers.
I’m often asked what gives me the most hope in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. It’s a tough question because there are so many signs of life in this local Church. A recent trip to Indianapolis for the National Catholic Youth Conference, however, may have tipped the scales in favor of the youth of this archdiocese.
