Craig Pittelli photo
MARCH 23, 2017
201 DYC 7 MARCH 4
M ONITOR M ONITOR M
Craig Pittelli photo
ONITOR
Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, N.J.
THE
Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, N.J.
DIOCESE
of
Craig Pittelli photo
Joe Moore photo
THE
TRENTON • DIOCESAN YOUTH CONFERENCE A Supplement of
THE
Newspaper of the Diocese of Trenton
Sense of BELONGING “A Story by Jennifer Mauro, Associate Editor and Haley Cafarella, Correspondent Photos by Craig Pittelli
in’t no party like a Catholic party,� DJ Bernal sang into the microphone as he addressed the hundreds gathered March 4 for the Diocesan Youth Conference 2017 in St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square. “Ain’t no party like a Catholic party,� the teens responded, jumping to their feet and clapping their hands. Then, in unison, Bernal and the teens sang for the third time, “Ain’t no party like a Cath-o-lic party ‘cuz a Catholic party don’t stop!� With laughter and applause, Bernal, of Texas-based Modern Teen Ministries, kicked off DYC2017 with the help of Gez Ford, youth minister in St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton, as Ford and some of the Diocese’s teens energized the crowd by rocking out to faith-filled tunes. The day that began with music, moving and personal witness by Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Agustino Torres and Bernal, faith sharing,
Confession and candle-lit Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and ending with Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., brought nearly 450 teens, volunteers and family members together from across the Diocese of Trenton. With the theme of ABLAZE – taken from the words of St. Catherine of Siena, “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire� – the conference encouraged high school-aged participants to spend time with the Lord and discover the power that their faith in Jesus Christ offers in their daily lives. And from the laugher, smiles, hugs and even tears, it was apparent throughout the day that the teens discovered just that. “The spirit is alive!� said Father Martin O’Reilly, diocesan youth chaplain, as he took the stage at
INSIDE: Spiritual Talks ‌4-5 • Adoration ‌6-7 • Mass with Bishop ‌8-9 Y2 đ&#x;”Ľ DYC2017 • The MONITOR • MARCH 23, 2017
the beginning of the day, along with Dan I hope I learn more Waddington, the new and become closer associate director for to God. youth ministry. DYC2017 MARIELLEN BOLLOCK, 18, was sponsored by the St. Barnabas Parish, Bayville Department of Evangelization and Family Life. “Give me an Amen!� Father O’Reilly said to the sea of teens gathered before him. As the cries of “Amen� died down, Father O’Reilly said a prayer for the day ahead before the lights dimmed and a video was shown that talked about everyday issues facing teens. Words such as “insecurity,� “heartbreak� and “depression� flashed across the screen, ending with the hopeful words that knowing God can help with such issues. “The main thing I got out of that video,� DJ Bernal said, “was that Jesus is the answer to everything.�
“
Hundreds of teens enjoy the start of DYC2017 as Gez Ford, youth minister in St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton, and his band energize the crowd March 4 in Ferrante Hall, St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square.
�
“
I feel like I’ve been straying from the path lately, and I hope a day like today can help me stay on the path. ALLY ALESSI, St. James Parish, Red Bank
�
~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~
“Drugs.� “Depression.� “Broken families.� All were phrases discussed in a five-minute video shown to teenagers at the beginning of DYC2017. After the video, the young people were encouraged to turn to prayer and faith in helping them deal with the challenges they encounter in their everyday lives.
After success of DYC, it’s important to
KEEP MOMENTUM OF
FAITH
“For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them.� Mt. 18:20
I
’m delighted to say that there were more than two or three gathered on Saturday, March 4, for the Diocesan Youth Conference. As a first-timer, I didn’t know what to expect, and yet I knew within my heart that it would be an exciting day for all the young people attending. My own experience has taught me God makes all things good when we make an effort. I can honestly say that the Diocesan Youth Team with all their volunteers made a wonderful effort. And, I can honestly say the day was a roaring success. So, how do I quantify success? Is it bums on seats, By Father Martin O’Reilly Special Contributor the mix of male and female? Or simply the joy that was expressed by those gathered? All of the above, but I’m going with the joy of those gathered. I spoke to several young people about their experience at DYC – the positives, the negatives, what they would do differently and what stood out for them. The welcome by young people toward young people as they arrived to register really set the tone for the day. I was so impressed by their enthusiasm – given the time of the morning and without coffee, I don’t know if I could do it. I asked some of my young friends what struck them initially, and they said: “The numbers – it was great seeing so many people,� and “Knowing that there were others who were like me and wanted to be there.� We all have a craving to belong, and our young people are no different. It got me thinking what would be the possibility of creating opportunities within our parish Cohorts at Christmas and Easter, where our young people could be approached to organize, lead and deliver a liturgy by the young for the young? This could be a wonderful discussion topic for our youth ministry leaders: evaluating DYC and what it means to the parish, Cohort and county. Two young people I spoke to, Sarah Sablom and Zelda Wagner, said they found the speakers fun and interesting: “We felt they connected with us. Their personal stories, shared with humor at times, enabled us to relate to their lives.� Both Zelda and Sarah and their friend, Olivia, really loved the verity of the day. I think Zelda and Sarah sum it up beautifully: “DYC was very uplifting. Being a teenager is very difficult, but I left feeling secure that everything is OK in the hands of God. He is the only one that will love you perfectly,� Zelda said. “The experience I had at DYC was very moving and spiritual. It is more comforting seeing how many people my age participate and believe in the same thing as I do,� Sarah agreed. All said and done, DYC was a success in my eyes, but as anyone involved in youth ministry knows, it’s not what has been done that matters, it’s what you do to follow up. How do we tap into this faith-filled experience these young people experienced and utilize it for the positive? This is the exciting challenge we face.
“ WE ALL HAVE A CRAVING TO BELONG, AND OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NO DIFFERENT.�
Father Martin O’ Reilly is the diocesan chaplain of youth ministry and parochial vicar in St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake.
T renton M onitor . com • MARCH 23, 2017 •
DYC2017 đ&#x;”Ľ Y3
Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Agustino Torres gives a rousing talk to the teens that included stories of his many travels. Craig Pittelli photos
Inspiration LOVE, confidence can be found in faith
D
YC is all about inclusion, a point Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Agustino Torres, the day’s first speaker, emphasized from the very start. “I want to teach you a word right now – Ă“rale,â€? he said of the Mexican-American slang word. â€œĂ“rale can mean a lot of things,â€? he said. For example, it can be a greeting or something people say when they’ve come to a realization. “It can be a Eureka moment – like when algebra finally makes sense,â€? he said to a room full of laughter. “But Ă“rale comes from the Latin root Ĺ?rÄ le, which means to pray. So when we say Ă“rale, we’re also saying to pray.â€? Father Agustino shared many instances in his life when he was asked to pray with friends, acquaintances and even strangers. He then explained that he had been on the grounds of St. Gregory the Great Parish before, when he was part of a prayer community in college and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal were visiting the parish. “This one brother came up to me and asked, ‘What is the Lord doing in your life? Pray that you know that you know God’s will in your life,’â€? Father Agustino said. “So I say that to you today: Pray that you know that you know,â€? he said, asking everyone to turn to the person next to them and say those words to their neighbor. “When you allow him to glorify himself in your life, your life becomes an adventure,â€? he added, relating a story of being in an airport wearing his Franciscan habit, carrying a guitar and being asked by fellow travelers to sing a song. Picking up his guitar, he sang
Y4 đ&#x;”Ľ DYC2017 • The MONITOR • MARCH 23, 2017
the song to the teens, asking them to join in singing, Reggae-style, “Jesus is the winner man.� Jesus, he said, won a victory against sin when he died on the Cross. Father Agustino asked the teens to think about Adam and Eve, their sin in the garden, the power of choice and love. “All Adam had to do when he heard Eve talking to the snake was say, “Hey! You’re talkin’ to my woman, man!� Father Agustino said to more laughs before somberly adding, “He gave them everything, but the one thing he couldn’t do was make Adam and Eve love him back. “When God says he loves you, he backs it up,� Father Agustino said, referencing the Cross. “When we say, ‘I love you,’ it’s always a choice.�
Dan Waddington, the Diocese’s new associate director for youth ministry, left, and Father Martin O’Reilly, diocesan youth chaplain, welcome the more than 400 teens, volunteers and families to DYC2017.
SELF-WORTH another
common theme heard throughout DYC2017
F
“
What really touched me was the talk about have you ever been bullied. When he [DJ Bernal] said, ‘I’m sorry,’ it made me realize how much I wish the person who had bullied me had said that. ALIZA LIRANZO, 16, St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson
�
ather Agustino left off talking about God not wanting the teens to look at themselves and see anxiety, rejection or ugliness, saying, “You will have the chance today to let God become part of you so that when you look in the mirror, you will say, ‘loved, forgiven, child of God.’ You will say, ‘I have a purpose.’� To that end, DJ Bernal picked up the gauntlet. “You are priceless. There’s no monetary value that is equivalent to your life,� he said. “You’re literally an endangered species. There will only ever be one you.� He went on to tell the teens that by knowing they are the children of God, a king, they have power and are princes and princesses on earth. It is when they don’t know their worth and power that leads to bad situations, he said. Bernal then shared his life story, explaining that his father was an alcoholic when he was growing up, leading Bernal not to think very highly of himself. “I would ask God why this was happening,� he said, adding that he didn’t understand why his father didn’t treat him or his mother well, even though they
went to church every Sunday. His father passed away the summer before his senior year of high school, which led Bernal on his own path of drinking, smoking and doubting his self-worth. It is only when one experiences an encounter with God that one becomes evangelized and surren“YOU ARE ders to Jesus, Bernal said. He used the parable of PRICELESS. Jesus’ encounter with the THERE IS woman at the well as an example of this surrender. NO MONEY Everyone has a purpose, EQUIVALENT TO he said, and everyone has to open themselves up to YOUR LIFE.� God to find that purpose. Continuing his witness, he apologized on behalf of those who may have ever wronged the teens in attendance and handed out “Prayer of Surrender� cards. He then prayed with the crowd, and several of the teens became visibly emotional.
Encounter
T renton M onitor . com • MARCH 23, 2017 •
DJ Bernal tells a story about his life experiences and finding God in the midst of challenging times and hardships.
DYC2017 đ&#x;”Ľ Y5
Adoration “Open your heart like never before.�
T
hose were the words Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Sebastian Kajko softly murmured into the dimly lit chapel as the DYC2017 teens, volunteers and family members knelt in rows around a monstrance and wooden plinth adorned in candles. Recalling the parable of the hemorrhaging woman who reached out to Jesus for healing, Father Sebastian said, “No matter how much or how little your faith right now, I’m going to encourage you to reach out in faith and touch Jesus.� The crowd sniffled with emotion. Some cried, others were seen walking across the room to hug a family member or friend after the monstrance had passed them in the Eucharistic procession. Simultaneously, Confessions were being heard across the hall by priests who had traveled from all four counties of the Diocese. Giovanny Alberto, 13, of St. Paul Parish, Princeton, walked between the two rooms, visibly affected by the faith events. With a tremble in his voice, he said it was his first time to experience Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and found that it had helped him de-stress. “ I was a little worried and shy, but now I feel calm,� he said.
Y6 đ&#x;”Ľ DYC2017 • The MONITOR • MARCH 23, 2017
DYC is an annual day of music, witness, fellowship and prayer hosted by the Diocese for teenagers. Here, teens join Gez Ford in providing music. Craig Pittelli photos
“
One of my favorite parts of the day was Adoration. It made me feel closer to God. EMILY RODRIGUEZ, 14, Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton
�
Father Sebastian Kajko positions the monstrance above the head of an adorer during Eucharistic Adoration.
“
I’ve never seen it [Adoration] done like that, with everyone looking to a central figure. And that was Jesus. SAMUEL SHAPIRO, 16, St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson
�
“
I really like that I got to do Adoration and Confession. I got to give up all my sins and then be blessed by God. ELIZABETH SHERIDAN, 14, St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson
�
The Franciscan Friar of the Renewal father encourages the DYC2017 participants to quietly pray before the Blessed Sacrament. T renton M onitor . com • MARCH 23, 2017 •
DYC2017 đ&#x;”Ľ Y7
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell exhorted the young people to avoid sin by staying close to Jesus and true to their Catholic faith.
Eucharist Bishop: ‘We are God’s creation ...�
T
he daylong DYC2017 came to an end not too differently than it began, for just as Father Agustino talked of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, so did Bishop O’Connell during the evening Mass he celebrated in the church. “God created the world and everything within it, including human beings. We are God’s creation, and sometimes I think we need to remind ourselves of that,â€? the Bishop said. “From the time we were very young, we learned the story of Adam and Eve, our first parents. ‌ Somehow for some reason, our first parents turned against God, preferring to change what he created for a purpose that was not part of God’s original plan. Adam and Eve chose to put themselves above God, to be God. It was a terrible act of pride. With their bad choice, sin entered the world, and humanity has suffered from that choice to this very day. “We call their choice ‘the original sin’ and it left a stain, a mark on every human being born after them,â€? Bishop O’Connell continued. “It doesn’t seem fair, but
Y8 đ&#x;”Ľ DYC2017 • The MONITOR • MARCH 23, 2017
that’s what sin does: sin never affects just the sinner. It affects everybody. And it continues to affect us.� “That’s true,� murmured a parishioner, one of more than 500 filling the pews and standing around the perimeter of the nave. Before the start of Mass, there was an energized hum as teens gathered in the pews alongside their
DYC participants reverently pray during Mass. Craig Pittelli photos
youth ministers. DJ Bernal and Gez Ford once again rallied the crowd with song and words of faith, and Bishop O’Connell visited with some of the young people. During the Mass, concelebrated by Father Michael McClane, St. Gregory the Great pastor, and a number of priests, Bishop O’Connell addressed the young Catholics specifically. “The world throws everything at you to challenge your faith, to turn you away from God much like Satan did to Jesus in the desert,â€? Bishop “ TEMPTATIONS O’Connell said. “At first, those temptations ONLY LEAD TO might have some atSELFISHNESS, traction, but Satan is called the Father of TO ISOLATION, Lies for a reason, make TO SEPARATION.â€? no mistake about it. The attraction doesn’t last, because all those temptations only lead to selfishness, to isolation, to separation ‌ and we are left alone. Is that what we want? “That’s not the way God made us to be,â€? he continued. “Deep down inside we know that, even when temptation is strong, even when we give in. The Lord Jesus and his Church offer us something to believe in, something bigger than ourselves, something that creates a connection, and that something is faith, which gives us hope, which turns into love. Only God can lead us down that path, and the Church is here to guide us every step of the way.â€?
Mass-goers smile as they exchange the Sign of Peace during Mass.
Bishop O’Connell was delighted to have an opportunity to greet the youth following the Mass he celebrated in St. Gregory the Great Church.
Youth join hands as they recite the Lord’s Prayer during Mass in St. Gregory the Great Church.
T renton M onitor . com • MARCH 23, 2017 •
DYC2017 đ&#x;”Ľ Y9
During DYC2017, the teens separated into small groups, one session for boys and another for girls. Breaking into small groups provided a close-knit setting, allowing the teens to share their thoughts and worries and respond to challenges given by the group leaders. Craig Pittelli photos
Reflections “
[The small group discussions] made me realize ‌ you have to be grateful for how many ways you can celebrate your faith. ALIZA LIRANZO, 16, St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson
�
“
It was a good opportunity to learn about being a Christian and get to know other people you can relate to. NATALIE BELTON, 13, Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton
�
“
I found that my religion was more important than I thought, and it helped me clear up some doubts I had, like about certain sins that I didn’t know were a sin. BOBBY JORDAN, 14, Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton
�
“
Jesus is there for our problems. Jesus has the solution to every problem. That’s what I saw. JONATHAN KOEHLER, 15, St. Catherine Parish, Middletown
�
The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal lead a male group discussion, answering any questions the teens have.
Y10 đ&#x;”Ľ DYC2017 • The MONITOR • MARCH 23, 2017
GOD’S PRESENCE
felt in many ways throughout DYC2017
F
rom the moment our department (Evangelization and Family Life) started to plan this year’s DYC, we all felt God’s hand in it. Even when planning became difficult, he always came through, and that’s exactly what he did Saturday, March 4. Not only did he come through, he came face to face with all those who attended. I was overwhelmed with so many emotions, but the one that stood out was love. There were so many experiences of the day that were especially meaningful. I remember standing in the back of the empty room and praying that all who came would be filled with God’s love, and with my “Amen,� the teens started flooding in. Some looked excited, others confused or even sacred, but overall, there was a feeling of enthusiasm for what the day had in store. The opening video spoke of the everyday struggles facing many teens – insecurity, bullying, broken families, heartbreak, drugs and suicide. It ended with the one word that gives faith, hope and love: Jesus. He is the answer to all struggles; it is only in him where we find our joy, our hope, our satisfaction. The band led by Gez Ford, youth minister in St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton, opened the day with, “Our God’s not dead,� and everyone was up on their feet, ready to start this amazing journey! More than 20 years ago, I was blessed to have met the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Brother Agustino, who is now Father Agustino Torres, was one of the first brothers who made a huge impact in my life. Hearing him give the first keynote presentation at DYC was pure joy. Right before Father Agustino was introduced, he said, “Pray over me.� I turned around thinking he was asking someone else behind me, but he said, “No, you! Will you pray over me?� As I laid my hands on his head and started to pray to the Holy Spirit, I felt a calm come over us. I asked God to bless his talk and that it would not be Father Agustino speaking but Christ through him. Never in a million years did I think God would use me in such a way. Never did I think I would be praying over a priest; I was truly humbled. Father Agustino gave an amazing keynote where he spoke of transformation, sin, forgiveness and God’s love. The second keynote was given by DJ Bernal. I was moved to tears by
“ HE IS THE ANSWER TO ALL STRUGGLES; IT IS ONLY IN HIM WHERE WE FIND OUR JOY, OUR HOPE, OUR SATISFACTION.�
his vulnerability. He spoke of his father’s alcohol abuse and the damage that brought upon his family. It was toward the end of his talk that I stood looking at the crowd, watching their faces as DJ apologized for all the hurt that they have endured. “I am sorry,� he said, “if you were used, abused, if you were hurt by someone you trusted. I stand here before you, and I ask for forgiveness.� There were teens who were cryBy Cristina Imparato Special Contributor ing; others looked almost stunned. He then asked the teens that if they were ready to give their lives to Christ and surrender all of the hurt and pain that they have endured to stand up – and they did! DJ then told the teens that they were about to enter into Eucharistic adoration and it was there that they would have a personal encounter with Christ. I was one of the last people to walk into the chapel, and I couldn’t believe how unbelievably beautiful it was. The soft amber lights, the candles flickering on the burning bush, and the music. I was brought to tears when Father Sebastian Kajko, another Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, exposed the Blessed Sacrament and read the story of the woman with the hemorrhage. As I walked around to help form rows and clear the path for Jesus, I saw tears of sorrow, hurt, pain, confusion, but I also saw so much joy. The joy came with the freedom of knowing that they had just had a face-to-face encounter with Christ. I was the last person to receive Jesus in the Eucharistic procession. As I waited for Jesus to pass by, the woman next to me was crying. She simply kept repeating, “My Lord, My Lord.� It was such a simple yet powerful prayer. When it was my turn, I was overwhelmed with emotions. I reached out and held onto the humeral vail, and then Father Sebastian placed Jesus right on me. At that moment, I surrendered. I gave him my heart, again. I felt this Eucharistic Procession was his will and that he was smiling over all of us. It was one of the most beautiful moments I have ever encountered with Christ. We are blessed. This DYC will forever be close to my heart. My prayer for all those who attended is that their hearts would be set ABLAZE with the love of God and that they would choose to surrender their lives to the only one who can completely satisfy them, so that they can be who God meant them to be and set the world on fire. – St. Catherine of Siena Cristina Imparato is the ministry assistant for the diocesan Department of Evangelization and Family Life.
~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • Bishop O’Connell greets Christina Kotowski of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, not long before he celebrated Mass in the church. Craig
For even more photos ‌.
The photos in this booklet are just a sampling of a large collection of images available for viewing and purchase. Go to TrentonMonitor.com >MULTIMEDIA>PHOTO GALLERIES.
Pittelli photo
T renton M onitor . com • MARCH 23, 2017 •
DYC2017 đ&#x;”Ľ Y11
DYC Karaoke video goes VIRAL
Video screen shot
Since a Carpool Karaoke video featuring the Trenton Diocese’s shepherd was posted in late January, the video has received more than 15,300 views. The video shows Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., travelling to the 2017 Diocesan Youth Conference and welcoming teens to join him for the day of faith, fellowship and fun. With Bishop O’Connell in the car are Father Martin O’Reilly, diocesan youth chaplain, and Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Sebastian Kajko, who was on hand at DYC to address the young people and preside over Eucharistic Adoration. A joint effort between the Departments of Multimedia Production, and Evangelization and Family Life, the video has been watched by people in 95 countries, including a significant number in the United Kingdom (954), Canada (821), Argentina (333) and Ireland (253), and been viewed more than 47,068 total minutes (that’s more than 32 days’ worth of time). DYC also introduced the Diocese of Trenton’s first event-specific Snapchat filter. The filter, which included the ABLAZE logo representing the event’s theme, allowed users to add flair to their photos throughout the day. The filter was used more than 220 times and reached an audience of more than 4,400 people, including friends and family members of event participants within a 24-hour window.
MORE OF DYC ON VIDEO! Craig Pittelli photo
Be sure to check out video of Bishop O’Connell’s DYC homily and lots of interviews from youth participants, organizers and speakers. Go to TrentonMonitor.com>Multimedia
Keep up with your Catholic friends across the DoT! Read about them in the YOUTH pages of your diocesan newspaper... The Monitor...your source for news from parish youth groups, diocesan youth programs and extraordinary young Catholics who are making a difference in their communities. Here’s just some of our youth-based coverage coming this spring:  St. Timothy Award honorees N J Catholic Youth Rally at Six Flags Great Adventure  Graduation 2017 R espect Life poster, essay and video contest winners Check out the print edition of The Monitor... or visit TrentonMonitor.com > FEATURES > YOUTH to see how young Catholics like you are living out their faith! For more information, or to share news about your youth group, email us at Monitor-News@dioceseoftrenton.org
Y12 đ&#x;”Ľ DYC2017 • The MONITOR • MARCH 23, 2017