Catholic Spirit writer Maria Wiering reports on the National Catholic Youth Conference in Kansas City, MO.
You wouldn’t necessarily expect NCYC to open with executive director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry rappelling down from the Sprint Center’s ceiling to the stage.
But that’s exactly what happened.
After a video told the story of his climb of Mt. Everest with his wife to raise money and awareness for NFCYM, Bob McCarty dramatically made his entrance, telling youth that the same principles that guided his mountain climb should guide the youths’ discipleship.
Everyday during the climb, he had to show up (with the right gear and attitude), step up (to the challenge) and step out (of his comfort zone).
“At the heart of every disciple of Jesus … is the challenge to show up, step up and show up,” McCarty said.
Living one’s life for Christ requires the same determination, he said. Discipleship means showing up (for church, daily prayer, even if one doesn’t want to), stepping up (to the challenge of living one’s faith daily) and stepping out (to evangelize and serve).
It would seem the youth already have the “show up” part pretty well down. Getting from dinner to the center was like being stuck in a mob during Carnival. I can only wonder what it looks like to the uninitiated — kids with cow bells, hats with every kind of plush creature known to man, light-up necklaces, star-shaped sunglasses, umbrellas open in the dark, ALL SHOUTING. ALL OF THEM. They’re yelling “NC-YC” and clapping and screaming and this just went on for blocks between the convention center and the Sprint Center.
During the opening session, Catholic musician and speaker Steve Angrisano got the youth on their feet singing and clapping (they really didn’t need much encouragement), and Jesse Manibusan led the group in a beautiful reflection about discipleship.
Living a Christian life isn’t about a list of right thing and wrong things, he said. It’s about surrendering one’s life to God, and asking him to walk with you in every decision you make. Don’t ask the Holy Spirit to be present; he already is, Jesse added. Instead, pray that you might be present to the Holy Spirit.
