By Rachel Hipschman

Picture this: It’s a cold autumn night in the middle of November. The streets of Indianapolis, Indiana, are filled with men and women making their way around the city. All seems normal. All seem still. And then you hear it. It starts out as a faint echo, a chant of some kind. You think you can make out a few letters, a ‘y’ here, an ‘n’ there…or is it an ‘m’? Your mind wonders, “What is the source of this mysterious chanting?” And then you see it.

At first you think there’s only a few, but then you realize there’s many. As the thousands of teens dressed in absurd hats march towards you, you realize that there has to be at least 20,000 of them. You can now make out the cheer. One side of the street is screaming “NC” and then other is replying with “YC!” Everyone on the street stops. Everyone stares. And everyone gives witness to the incredible event that is the National Catholic Youth Conference.

On Nov. 21, over 50 youths from the Diocese of Trenton traveled to Indianapolis to take part in this national event. They sacrificed school, work and sports practices and spent 13 hours on a bus in order to attend NCYC. What they left behind is little to what they gained. Tears were shed, teachings were proclaimed and the love of Jesus Christ was poured down upon each of the 23,000 participants in attendance at this year’s NCYC.

The event was held in Lucas Oil Stadium, which usually houses the Colts Football games, and the Indianapolis Convention Center. From the opening celebration to the closing Mass, an unexplainable joy could be seen in the faces of the many participants as their hearts became ignited with an inextinguishable fire for Christ. The theme of this year’s conference, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” was enforced through song, dance and testimony. This year’s conference was hosted by Jesse Manibusan who shared his faith journey, led the thousands in prayer and introduced each of the keynote speakers. Among those speakers was singer/songwriter Matt Maher who recently performed at World Youth Day in Rio, speaker Bob Perron, speaker/singer/worship leader Jackie Francois and many, many others. Each presented their own unique story and perspective of the Catholic faith that touched many in profound ways. In addition, hundreds of sessions were offered on the 22 and 23 at the Convention Center. Teens had the opportunity to attend sessions that appealed to them or attend Confession, musical warm up sessions, adoration or hang around the Inspiration Junction, a massive collection of booths set up by many religious orders, musicians and vendors.

The many teens in attendance from the Diocese of Trenton had nothing but positive things to say about the life changing experience. “NCYC was, by far, one of the greatest faith builders I have ever experienced. It is important for today’s youth to recognize that expressing our faith is vital to who we are, especially in a world that constantly tells us otherwise” said Christina Goumas from St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel. Her thoughts were echoed by Michael West, also of St. Catharine’s, Holmdel, “NCYC is such a unique and intense experience that you get entirely engulfed in.” For some of the juniors and seniors in the diocese, this was their second time at the National Catholic Youth Conference but they still were very moved by the experience. “I really got so much out of this experience. Two years ago, I went and I was reserved. This year I went with an open heart and Jesus flooded in” said Ella Ahern of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold. Additionally, many of the adult chaperones who traveled with the young people also had experiences that greatly deepened their faith. “NCYC was awesome. I loved seeing my teens have God moments and grow closer together as they grew closer in Christ” said Catherine Werner, the youth minister in St. Joe’s Parish, Toms River.

At NCYC new friends were made, chains were broken and love was spread like wildfire. Stories were told, songs were sung and praise was given to the Lord Jesus Christ our King. But if there is one thing that is to be said about NCYC, it is that the young Church is very much alive and ready to change the world!

Rachel Hipschman is a member of the youth group in St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel, and serves as a host for Realfaith TV, the diocesan teen talk show.

Baptism sets up life of 'fulfillment, purpose,' speaker tells youths. Click here.

To see youth from St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, at NCYC, click here.
To see youth from  St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel, at NCYC, click here.
To see youth from Holy Family Parish, Union Beach, at NCYC, click here.

Faith forms bedrock of who they are, say Catholic youths at conference. Click here.