By Dubravka Kolumbic-Cortese | Correspondent
The 600 or so young people who attended the 2019 Diocesan Youth Conference focused a lot of attention on the theme of “Servant.”
But probably the most powerful message they heard came from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who offered simple, yet profound insight on how one goes about becoming a servant.
“We were born to serve,” the Bishop said. “How we do that is as different as each of us, but we need to trust God, like Peter [did] in the Gospel, to trust God without any proof. That kind of trust requires faith.”
“To be God’s servant, my sisters and brothers, we must first trust him, and then spend the rest of our lives seeking out his will. A servant is one who does the will of another. We are called to be God’s servant. And if we are God’s servant, we follow where he leads – and that’s the service and care of one another.”
The young people heard from Bishop O’Connell during the DYC’s closing Mass he celebrated in the auditorium. Along with the Bishop, a number of priests from around the Diocese had also traveled to Delran, some taking the time to hear Confessions or concelebrate the Mass. While the auditorium had already been filled with the spirited youth whose energy was palpable, their reverence was moving and their desire to serve was inspirational, the enthusiasm was further enhanced by the youthful and upbeat music played by the DYC band.
“All of us, as different as we are from one another, we have a reason for being, a reason that God had in mind when he created us,” Bishop O’Connell said in his homily. “We spend our lives trying to figure out what that reason is, and what our purpose in life is. You are never too young to think about that.”
The Bishop reminded the young people to trust in God – to have faith – and that “he will lead us to where he wants us to be.” He then explained that faith is the grace to believe and trust is the result of faith.
“Let’s make a commitment to keep this day alive, to keep the things that we talked about alive,” said Bishop O’Connell. “Let’s all make a commitment to remain a people of faith who trust God to lead us wherever we need to go.”
Alexis Valverde, 16, and Christian Lopez, 13, who are both active in the youth group in St. Joseph Parish, Trenton, reflected on how their faith had been strengthened by attending events such as DYC.
“It doesn’t matter if people put labels on you. Don’t be afraid to show people Jesus,” Valverde said, adding that the day’s events inspired him to “help bring people to the Catholic community.”
Lopez said he appreciated learning about “how to be God’s servant.
“I feel like I have more knowledge on how to serve him and how to teach others the way of the Lord,” he said.
Siblings Nick and Natalie Foley of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, were all smiles as they participated in the closing hymn. It was the second youth conference for Nick, 16, but the first time for Natalie, 14.
Natalie Foley said she was moved by the enthusiasm of the crowd, adding that the DYC experience further strengthened her belief in God.
“As you get older, you learn more about what you believe in,” she said.
Nick Foley, a leader in his parish’s youth group, pointed out that, “It’s about being close with Jesus, no matter what, even in your darkest moments, he is always with you. Even when you don’t think of him, he is always thinking of you. You lose yourself if you don’t have faith.”
Caitlin Clayton, Catherine Rowe and Bridget Morris, from St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant, talked of how energized they had been by attending DYC.
“Because of the inspiring words of all the speakers, and Bishop David O’Connell’s homily, I know to use my talents in the way I feel God is calling me to serve him, and not to worry about how others will perceive me in my doings,” Clayton said. “I want to continue to sing and play at Mass and to use my talents I was given by God. I want to always have the good feeling I have after serving God.”
Rowe spoke of how personally moved she was after having received the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
“When I came back from Confession and sat down in front of our Lord during Adoration I felt relieved,” she said. “It was so wonderful to listen to the music and to be with Jesus, knowing he forgave me. I want everyone to know that feeling.”
While Morris admitted to already having a strong faith, she said that DYC “really helped me to realize how important and easy trusting in and serving God can be.
“I was able to get a clean slate after Confession and be open to God and talk to him about everything – good and bad – that’s been going on lately, and how I plan on serving him in the future,” she said.
Samuel Garcia of St. Veronica Parish, Howell, smiled when he talked about DYC being “unbelievable.”
“I had no idea that there were so many teens in my area that cared for the faith as much as I did. Knowing now that it is possible for young people other than myself and [my] youth group to have a relationship with God, I plan to use my faith to help my friends and family form a lasting relationship that will benefit them for their entire lives,” Garcia said.
Fellow DYC participant and St. Veronica parishioner Faith Wittstruck reflected on how one of the most important things she learned at DYC was “that we, as children of God, become his servants when we put all of our trust in him without hesitation, and follow his plans for our lives.
“Although sometimes there are challenges for us as teens, there is always a God who loves us and has open arms, waiting for us to come and serve him and live his will.”