Florida Catholic | Youth rally attracts hundreds from across diocese

Youth rally attracts hundreds from across diocese

More than 300 young people from as far away as Sebring and Naples came together for a day full of music, fellowship and spiritual enlightenment.

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC VENICE BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 10.24.08

Bishop Frank J. Dewane is surround by young people from St. Raphael Parish in Lehigh Acres during the “One Body, Many Members” youth rally Oct. 10 on the campus of the Epiphany Cathedral Parish in Venice. “You need to be the light of the world,” Bishop Dewane said. “Don’t be afraid.”

VENICE | The young people of the Diocese of Venice are not the future of the church, they are the church.

This was the recurring theme of the “One Body, Many Members” youth rally on the campus of Epiphany Cathedral Parish Oct. 11. About 350 young people from as far away as Sebring and Naples came together for a day full of music, fellowship and spiritual enlightenment.

“This is wonderful,” said Tatiana Perilla of St. Catherine Parish in Sebring. “This is so much fun.”

Michael Manolers of Epiphany said he had a great time and was inspired by the speakers and the music.

Youth groups came by bus, by car and by caravan; some youths came in large groups and others came as individuals. The common purpose was sharing in their love for the Lord.

The event was organized by youth ministers Tim Holliday of St. Thomas More Parish in Sarasota, Nate Boock of San Pedro Parish in North Port and Cheryl Vignola of Epiphany. They brought in Mike Sylvester and musician Bryan Murdaugh from South Carolina to inspire the young people.

Murdaugh performed a concert for the group and talked about his journey of faith that was inspired by his father. He showed off a bicycle tire and said the center of the spokes is the support and all of them need to get to the center of their connection with God.

“I challenge you to realize the importance of the Eucharist,” Murdaugh said. “Do not forget the gravity of what you are receiving. It is not something to be taken lightly. It is not a joke. It is serious. It is heavy. Take the Eucharist seriously.”

Sylvester repeatedly reminded the young people gathered that they are the church of today, not the church of the future. “You are why the church exists,” he said. “You are the heart of the church. Don’t wait to be a part of what is already yours.”

The inspirational words were intermixed with music from Murdaugh, and games and activities to get the young people to interact, such as hitting beach balls around and finding the pieces of a puzzle and putting it together to reveal an image of Jesus.

Murdaugh and Sylvester also made a point to recognize the priests and nuns who attended the event, generating rousing cheers and applause from the young people.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane, who addressed the young people about half-way through the day, said he was excited to see so many young faces gather in unity. He reminded them that they should let their faith be the strength in their lives.

Bishop Dewane offered a different perspective when he told the youths that he went to minister to juvenile offenders early that same day in Arcadia.

“Please keep that other youth group in mind as you go through your day and through your life,” he said. “A lot of them didn’t have what you have: a relationship with God. Remember that and pray for them.”

The bishop also spoke of Pope Benedict XVI and what the Holy Father told the young people at World Youth Day in Sydney in July.

“You need to be the light of the world,” Bishop Dewane said. “Don’t be afraid.”

The day concluded with singing and dancing among the young people before the closing Mass in the cathedral.

Holliday said the event was a success and more rallies are going to be planned in hopes of attracting more young people.

“Not too bad for our first diocesewide event,” he said. “We are encouraged by the enthusiasm and excitement this event has generated and hope to build on it.”

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