Catholic Spirit writer Maria Wiering reports on the National Catholic Youth Conference in Kansas City, MO.
After a seven hour drive, I’m at NCYC, and already I’ve run into several youth from the Diocese of St. Cloud.
I’m currently in the “Reign Forest” — the convention center’s exhibit hall. There are teenagers EVERYWHERE — this is obviously the place to be right now. They’re checking out booths (colleges, volunteer organizations, books, etc. = FREE STUFF) and meeting other teens.
And the trading has begun.
For those of you who’ve never been to the National Catholic Youth Conference, trading is the THING TO DO.
You bring stuff — bracelets, hats, key chains, small pets, whatever — and give them to other people. It’s a great — and very easy — way to meet people from around the United States.
Typical conversation:
Colorado kid: “Hey— want a glow-in-the-dark Rocky Mountain temporary tattoo?”
New York kid: “Yeah — do you want a tin of mints in the shape of the Statue of Liberty?”
CK: “Totally!”
NYK: “Awesome!” (Exchange.)
They then get names, towns, what they like to do, and underneath the quick introduction, they revel in the fact that THEY’RE BOTH CATHOLIC.
That’s a very cool thing to realize — this 20,000 strong throng of teenagers are ALL CATHOLIC. The kids who may feel alone in their faith can’t feel that way anymore.
