Teens embrace faith and fun at New Jersey Catholic Youth Rally
June 4, 2024 at 2:46 p.m.
On the day the universal Church celebrated the Solemnity of Pentecost May 19, more than 200 teens from the Diocese of Trenton joined 800 of their peers from the state’s four other Catholic dioceses where they transformed The Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park in Jackson into a fairground of faith and fellowship for the annual New Jersey Catholic Youth Rally.
The day began with the opening ceremonies hosted by the Archdiocese of Newark and concluded with Mass celebrated in the Batman Stunt Arena by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney from the Diocese of Paterson.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney from the Diocese of Paterson was the chief celebrant and homilist. Rose O'Connor photo.In his homily, Bishop Sweeney focused on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and asked the teens to yell out the names of the Gifts.
“The Holy Spirt can speak to us in many different ways. Be open to the Holy Spirit. On this day of Pentecost when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, ask God the Father, the Son and the Spirit to speak to your heart,” he said.
Chelsea, 16, from St. James Parish, Pennington, who has attended the Youth Rally for the past three years with her youth group, said she finds the day to be “a great bonding experience.
“Days like this create a larger faith community where we can celebrate what we have in common- our faith,” she offered.
Adam, 15, from St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Middletown, also felt the powerful witness of coming together prior to the start of the Mass.
“I like meeting new people. So, this is great,” he said, gesturing to the number of people who took a break from the games and rides and filed into the Arena for Mass.
While some youth groups have attended NJCYR for a number of years, youth leader Matthew Zabrosky from St. Joseph Parish, Millstone, acknowledged the work of the Spirit in bringing his newly formed youth group to their first Catholic Youth Rally.
“It was the Holy Spirit at work– working wonders! We planted the seed and brought up the topic of attending and here we are,” Zabroski said, noting that it was his intention to have his youth group to see and experience their Catholic faith outside of the parish community.
“I’m amazed. The day has been so lively and focused on the faith,” he said.
Giovanna, 15, from St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, concurred.
“It’s been so eye-opening to see how many are here who love God. You can feel the Holy Spirit.”
Dan Waddington, diocesan director department of youth and young adult ministries reflected on the yearly event, one that has been uniting from around the state for almost 30 years.
“The NJCYR is the only event that gathers Catholic Young People from the entire State! It is a chance for youth and their families to be “Church” in a fun place while also having the opportunity to grow in their faith.
To see so many young people stop their day at Great Adventure to gather for Mass, is a powerful witness both for each other and for all young Catholics,” Waddington said.
Almost one thousand teens from the state’s five Catholic dioceses visited Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park in Jackson for the annual New Jersey Catholic Youth Rally. Laura Cortes photo.Related Stories
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On the day the universal Church celebrated the Solemnity of Pentecost May 19, more than 200 teens from the Diocese of Trenton joined 800 of their peers from the state’s four other Catholic dioceses where they transformed The Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park in Jackson into a fairground of faith and fellowship for the annual New Jersey Catholic Youth Rally.
The day began with the opening ceremonies hosted by the Archdiocese of Newark and concluded with Mass celebrated in the Batman Stunt Arena by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney from the Diocese of Paterson.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney from the Diocese of Paterson was the chief celebrant and homilist. Rose O'Connor photo.In his homily, Bishop Sweeney focused on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and asked the teens to yell out the names of the Gifts.
“The Holy Spirt can speak to us in many different ways. Be open to the Holy Spirit. On this day of Pentecost when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, ask God the Father, the Son and the Spirit to speak to your heart,” he said.
Chelsea, 16, from St. James Parish, Pennington, who has attended the Youth Rally for the past three years with her youth group, said she finds the day to be “a great bonding experience.
“Days like this create a larger faith community where we can celebrate what we have in common- our faith,” she offered.
Adam, 15, from St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Middletown, also felt the powerful witness of coming together prior to the start of the Mass.
“I like meeting new people. So, this is great,” he said, gesturing to the number of people who took a break from the games and rides and filed into the Arena for Mass.
While some youth groups have attended NJCYR for a number of years, youth leader Matthew Zabrosky from St. Joseph Parish, Millstone, acknowledged the work of the Spirit in bringing his newly formed youth group to their first Catholic Youth Rally.
“It was the Holy Spirit at work– working wonders! We planted the seed and brought up the topic of attending and here we are,” Zabroski said, noting that it was his intention to have his youth group to see and experience their Catholic faith outside of the parish community.
“I’m amazed. The day has been so lively and focused on the faith,” he said.
Giovanna, 15, from St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, concurred.
“It’s been so eye-opening to see how many are here who love God. You can feel the Holy Spirit.”
Dan Waddington, diocesan director department of youth and young adult ministries reflected on the yearly event, one that has been uniting from around the state for almost 30 years.
“The NJCYR is the only event that gathers Catholic Young People from the entire State! It is a chance for youth and their families to be “Church” in a fun place while also having the opportunity to grow in their faith.
To see so many young people stop their day at Great Adventure to gather for Mass, is a powerful witness both for each other and for all young Catholics,” Waddington said.
Almost one thousand teens from the state’s five Catholic dioceses visited Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park in Jackson for the annual New Jersey Catholic Youth Rally. Laura Cortes photo.