Nearly 200 Ocean County Catholics enjoyed a blend of rock and religion at the DecembeRadio Christmas concert held Dec. 19 in All Saints Regional Catholic School, Manahawkin. The event was co-sponsored by the youth and young adult ministries of the five Ocean County parishes which comprise the school’s enrollment: St. Mary, Barnegat; St. Theresa, Little Egg Harbor; St. Pius X, Forked River; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Whiting, and St. Francis of Assisi, Brant Beach.

At first glance, the event fit the bill for a typical rock concert. Volunteer teens served as roadies to carry equipment and set the stage, spotlights were bright and the volume from the guitars, keyboard and drums was cranked up to ear-splitting levels. Vocals were sung by longhaired, casually dressed young men while a wide range of audience members, both the young and the young-at-heart, were entranced by the performance.

But as the first words were sung, the similarity to the average rock concert ended. Despite DecembeRadio’s public acclaim by the Grammy and Gospel Music Associations, the message in their music was not about earthly awards or selfish desires. The quintet instead wove tales of service and spirituality between the notes.

Aubrey Gant of St. Mary Young Adult Ministry recalled, “They shared beautiful songs, and shared their stories on what Christmas is all about. They also shared their ways of helping children in need during the holiday season, and how the audience can get involved. It was significant, and a great way to lend a helping hand! It amazed me!!”

Rosemary MacMaster agreed. “It was unbelievable, outstanding for my teens,” said the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton youth ministry leader. MacMaster was pleased with the intimate setting for the concert: without rows of chairs to separate them from the band, teens stood just before the stage, and DecembeRadio’s members encouraged them to participate in the musical worship.

“There’s just something about young men singing about God on the [teens’] level,” she concluded. “It’s great for teens to hear guys so open about sharing their faith with others.”

Cindy Craft, St. Mary Parish youth minister, echoed MacMaster’s accolades. “Everyone in attendance was touched by the band’s message of Christ’s love for us, peace and the importance of taking care of each other and our world. I think it is important for our youth to see that their faith reaches way beyond the perimeters of their circle of friends and parish youth groups. The band brought a new dimension to outreach.”

Event producer Jeff Bruno summarized, “Ultimately, the event [was] about bringing people back to the Church, helping find their way back to Christ.”