By Jennifer Mauro | Associate Editor

The Diocese of Trenton is encouraging its young people to attend the annual Diocesan Youth Conference to experience not only the Church’s energy through prayer, music and camaraderie, but its joy and hope as well.

“Come and see that you are not alone,” said Cristina Imparato, ministry assistant in the Department of Evangelization and Family Life. “Come and see that you are loved by God.”

Related Coverage: Bishop Talks 2017 DYC During Carpool Karaoke

This year’s Diocesan Youth Conference is set for March 4 in St. Gregory the Great Parish, 4620 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square. The day-long event will begin with 10:30 a.m. registration and end with 5 p.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Agustino Torres will be the keynote speaker.

A graduate of Seton Hall University, South Orange, Father Torres is known for his involvement with the Catholic Underground in New York City, ministry with the homeless in Honduras and the Bronx, N.Y., and missionary work with youth and young adults in Central America, Europe and the United States.

Open to youth in grades nine through 12, DYC 2017 will include Christian contemporary music by DJ Bernal of the Texas-based nonprofit Modern Teen Ministries, as well as opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and time for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, led by Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Sebastian Kajko. There will also be a breakout session given by the Sisters of Life and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

This year’s theme is ABLAZE, which is taken from the words of St. Catherine of Siena: “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.”

Imparato said the theme plays into what is planned for DYC 2017.

“This year, we will be asking some hard questions like ‘Who am I?’ ‘What is my purpose?’” she said. “We will give you that answer, and if you choose to surrender your life to Christ, you will, as St. Catherine says, ‘set the world on fire.’”

Josue Arriola, Department of Evangelization and Family Life director, agreed.

“We all are looking for happiness, and what the world proposes – power, fame, richness – is not making us happy,” he said. “Happiness or joy is not something [but] is someone with a face and a name – Jesus Christ. The moment we encounter Christ, we will be joyful. Problems will still be there, but you will face them with peace.” 

Imparato said DYC 2017 will be focused on Christ’s healing love, faithfulness, mercy and greatness. “We will be challenging all those attending DYC to live as Christ is calling us to.”

Registration for DYC 2017 before Feb. 3 is $25; from Feb. 4 to March 3, registration is $30. For information on available scholarships, contact Imparato at [email protected].

Imparato emphasized that those other than youth can benefit from the conference, which last year drew roughly 700 teens.

“DYC not only brings the young people together to experience God in new and exciting ways, but it’s an opportunity for the youth ministers to gather and have a chance to not only pray together but to grow together,” she said.