By Shirley Hageman-Belcher

ARCHDIOCESE — A group of seven youths and two adult chaperons from Visitation Parish in Eaton were among the 400 youths from the archdiocese that attended the National Catholic Youth Conference in Columbus last month.

It was the first time any youths from Preble County attended NCYC, said Kimberly Leach, Visitation youth minister.

"They embraced the weekend and took the opportunity seriously to grow in their faith," she said. "They had fun with the concerts, dancing, staying in a hotel, trading items with friends, etc., but more than that, they really ‘got it’ that this was about their faith and leaving the conference a changed person, leaving NCYC with a mission to continue their own faith and to challenge others to do the same."

Leach has been the church’s youth minister since May, and because of previous experiences of taking part in the NCYC, she put it before her students, and they were excited to attend the event.

COURTESY PHOTO

Youths from Visitation Church in Eaton gather at Nationwide Arena in Columbus during the National Catholic Youth Conference. From left: Will Allen, Kyndahl Reindel, Becca Mumma, Elizabeth Bulach, Kaitlyn Reindel, Olivia Goubeaux and Olivia Glander.

Other fund-raisers were a car wash, baby-sitting night, and working at the Knights of Columbus fish fry. All together they raised approximately $3,500.

The teens who attended the conference are Rebecca Mumma, Olivia Goubeaux, Kaitlyn Reindel, Kyndahl Reindel, Olivia Glander, Elizabeth Bulach and Will Allen. The chaperones were Kim Leach and Mike Quinn.

Quinn, fourth-degree Knight of Columbus, said he commended the youth for their work earning money for the trip.

"The kids need to say to the CCD kids that are becoming teen-agers: ‘This is a wonderful experience. Don’t let it pass you by.’"

Leach said what stands out in her mind about NCYC is the sheer magnitude of this event and that so many kids come together in the name of Christ and in the name of being Catholic.

"I love NCYC!" said Becca Mumma, a senior at Eaton High. "It’s a totally crazy experience that gets you high on Jesus. There is no way of explaining the power of over 20,000 people singing and praising Jesus simultaneously. All the people are so nice, and everyone is from all over the country. We learned about so many touching stories and so many amazing and crazy people."

Twin Valley South freshman Olivia Glander, said guest speakers came from around the country to talk to them.

"There is lots of entertainment and praying time," she said. "There is a lot to do at NCYC, especially making new friends from the west coast to the east coast."

The students all agreed that Father R. "Tony" Ricard of New Orleans and pastor at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, left a lasting impression on everyone. He talks to the youth around the country with a message of hope during troubled times. Having survived Katrina, he has authored I Still Believe — A Testimony of Faith after the Storm and edited MAXimum Faith: Prayers and Reflections by Young Katrina Survivors.

Leach said Father Tony has lots of energy and speaks the kids’ language.

"He teaches the teens that with Christ, you can do anything and that He is the source of all confidence," said Leach. "He also said that the kids should not be stupid when they get home. Ignorance is when you do something and don’t know that it is wrong. Being stupid is when you know that something is wrong and you do it anyway and try to tell yourself that it’s OK."

Crystalina and Jason Evert were among the speakers.

"They did a talk about chastity," Leach said. "They spoke for an hour-and-a-half and the kids were riveted the entire time. They spoke from the heart, telling their personal stories and struggles, and shared stories from talking with previous groups.

"They laid out the dangers of STDs, pregnancies, etc., but went further to talk about the sacredness of saving yourself for your future spouse and respecting yourself and your boyfriend or girlfriend to wait until marriage," Leach said. They provided ideas to help them stay chaste through hard times and strategies to learn to stay away from temptation. They also provided hope and reassurance for those who had already lost their purity."