The Tablet . Youth | Diocese of Brooklyn

Nearly 250 seventh- and eighth-graders from around the diocese were inspired to discover more about their faith at Bishop Ford H.S., Park Slope, last Saturday, April 12, at the diocesan Spring Junior High Youth Day. Preteens and teens experienced a day of worship and praise, featuring spirited music, interactive workshops, and an engaging keynote address, which closed with Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros.

“Discover the Way/Descubre El Camino” was the theme for the six-and-a-half hour event, which started just after noon. As youth arrived in Bishop Ford’s cafeteria, they received white T-shirts displaying an image of Christ’s head and the words “King of Kings” along with the day’s theme. They were then invited to create angel pins and cross necklaces, play a catechism trivia game and decorate themselves in wash-off “I Have Jesus In My Heart” and “Fishers of Men” tattoos.

Activities were facilitated by members of the diocesan Office of Faith Formation, which co-sponsored the event with the Alive in Hope Foundation. A similar event was held last fall for 250 young people at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston.

Seventh-grader Nicaurys Castillo and eighth-grader Rusbeyri Nunez, two of 50 youths who attended from St. Michael’s religious education program, Sunset Park, were making friends by helping others to affix tattoos to their arms.

Youth got energized by taking a ride on the worship train, singing and grooving with Caminando con Jesus, the music ministry of St. Michael’s youth group.

“We’re trying to get the youth more involved in church. Youth and adults ... we should all be working together,” said Ivana Nunez, part of St. Michael’s music ministry team, led by youth minister Noel Vasquez.

Nationally known speaker, storyteller and musician ValLimar Jansen flew in from California to give the keynote address. She broke down the Apostles’ Creed into three parts and brought the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity to life using the story of creation, Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well and a personal experience.

“As we are ‘discovering the way’ we recognize that God walks with us. Amen. And Jesus is our friend,” she said.

Youth enjoyed her renditions of “Jesus Is a Friend Next to Ya,” “Trading My Sorrows,” and “Gotta Move Child.” The Folk Group from St. Luke’s, Whitestone, led by Patricia and Joe Brintle, accompanied her on vocals and instuments.

Jansen reminded the young people who are preparing for the sacrament of confirmation either this year or next that, “When we are confirmed, it’s the end of our initiation into the Church. And it is the beginning of our faith journey — to be bread, broken and shared,” she said.

Teens learned the ways they could walk with Christ at several breakout sessions conducted by Father Kevin Sweeney, vocation director; Steve Pulick, youth choir director at St. Matthias, Ridgewood, and Holy Child Jesus, Richmond Hill; Brooklyn seminarian Dwayne Davis; Rockville Centre seminarian David Anastasio; and Michael Lopez, a seminarian with the Vincentian Fathers.

Over a dinner of stuffed shells and vegetables, youth shared their experiences with friends and acquaintances.

“I wanted to come because I heard it would be fun and enjoyable and it has been,” said Julio Panora, a seventh-grader at Mary’s Nativity, Flushing. He thought Jansen was “great” because of the “physical expressions” which accompanied her words.

He will take the name Peter when he makes his confirmation next month. He said, “Jesus told him to lead the Church and take care of the Church. I want to be like Peter. I want to participate in church more and become an altar server.”

“I just came to praise the Lord so I can be happy,” said Evita Benavides, an eighth-grader in the religious education program at Our Lady of Miracles, Canarsie. Religious ed coordinator, Sister Vilma Orejola, FLP, brought students from both the religious ed program and the cluster school, Our Lady of Trust. Evita’s brother Jermy, a 12th grader, assisted as a chaperone.

Benavides, who loves to sing, was impressed by how Jansen uses her vocal gifts to serve the Lord. “She inspired me a lot… She told us to sing and praise God and show Him you love Him.

“I’m always thinking about God and all of the different things He’s created. I’m always praying the rosary,” said Benavides, who will choose St. Therese of the Little Flower as her patron saint in confirmation next month.

Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros celebrated the 6 p.m. closing Mass, at which he related the Parable of the Shepherd from John’s Gospel to the day’s theme. He discussed the difference between good leaders, who care for the well-being of the people entrusted to them, and bad leaders, who only lead for their own benefit.

Quoting the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, he told youth, “If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great.”

“Can we find in the relationships we hold dear a friendship that is free, beautiful and great?” he asked. He instructed young people to “seek that friendship with Christ and then go back to your friends. See if their friendship makes you free, gives you beauty and helps you to be great.”

Kaylynn Murchison
St. Edmund Prep
Freshman

Trustworthy because I’m honest with friends, family and teachers. People can depend on me. If someone needs something to be done, I’ll usually say yes and do the best job I can.

Brian Fay
St. Edmund Prep
Senior

Cheerful. I can always find the good in any situation.

Candice Silver
St. Edmund Prep
Senior

Leader. I don’t follow what other people say or think. I have my own brain and I can think for myself.

Sherrell Williams
St. Edmund Prep
Senior

I would pick the word unique. In all my years I have never met anyone quite like myself. Maybe I’m a little weird, but that’s okay.

Kaitlin Murray
St. Edmund Prep
Sophomore

Trustworthy. I think it’s important for me to trust other people so I want other people to be able to trust me in return.

Timmy Horgan
St. Edmund Prep
Sophomore

I would choose independent. I like to achieve most things on my own and then I enjoy a sense of success.

Dana Scotto
St. Edmund Prep
Sophomore

Understand-ing. I try to look for the best in situations and listen to everyone’s side. I’m always there to help others with their problems.

Angelo McEneaney
St. Edmund Prep
Junior

I’m energetic. It seems as if I am always on the run and always busy, whether it is with sports or my school work, I am always on the go.

Maria Luisa Capobianco
The Mary Louis Academy
Freshman

Ambitious. I wish to lead a successful life. I want to become a doctor one day and I know it will take a lot of work. I also want to be a positive role model among my peers.