More than 1,300 young people and youth ministers from across the state gathered May 18 in Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, for the annual New Jersey Catholic Youth Rally. This day of faith, fellowship and fun drew participants from the Dioceses of Trenton, Metuchen, Camden and Paterson and the Archdiocese of Newark.
PHOTO GALLERY: New Jersey Catholic Youth Conference 2025
The day began with a prayerful opening session in the Showcase Arena, led by John Cammarata, director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Paterson. During the morning session, the teens were invited to write down their fears and place them in a box. As pilgrims of hope, the young Church of New Jersey brought these fears with them to the concluding Mass celebrated in the Batman Stunt Arena.
“It was very peaceful — putting the fears in the box and handing them over to God,” said Shannon, an eighthgrade student from St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, who was one of 150 participants from the Trenton Diocese.
Following a day of thrill rides, carnival games, fried foods and sweet treats, Jay Donofrio, director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Metuchen, who organized the Mass, welcomed the crowd gathered for the celebration of the Eucharist.
Father Jonathan S. Toborowsky, vicar general and moderator of the curia in Metuchen, was joined by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney of the Diocese of Paterson and several priests from around the state.
Father Tom Lanza, vocations director for the Diocese of Metuchen and Rutgers University, New Brunswick, and chaplain at St. Joseph High School, Metuchen, served as the homilist.
In his homily, Father Lanza urged the young people to begin to view the world differently.
“My challenge and what I think the readings today call us to do,” he said, “is to start to see the world as God does.”
Father Lanza emphasized that regardless of age or background, each person is a beloved child of God.
“Jesus, in our Gospel today, tells us that we’re children. And that’s the way God views us. However old you are, you are a beloved child of God. We are all brothers and sisters in God’s eyes.”
He called on the youth to apply this divine perspective to their daily lives.
“My call for you today is to strive in everything you look at, in every conversation you have, every relationship that you have and every experience that you have — to ask yourself, ‘How does God see this? How does God see this beautiful creation?’ If you start to view the world as God does, you’re naturally going to be better at love,” Father Lanza said.
The annual event held in the Ocean County theme park aims to inspire the Catholic youth inspired to return to their communities with a renewed commitment to living out their faith.
“I feel very united with everyone here,” Milena, from St. Joan of Arc Parish, said. “It’s great to come out and celebrate our faith. It shows us that we can celebrate and share Christ’s love anywhere.”
Dan Waddington, director of the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, was pleased with the participation from the youth in the state and is looking forward to Rally next year.
“The New Jersey Catholic Youth Rally is great tradition that invites young Catholics from all over the state to come together each year as one Church. It is a time to celebrate our Catholic Faith and have a fun day in the park. We can’t wait for the tradition to continue next year when the Diocese of Trenton will host the closing Mass. All young people and their families will be welcome!”