Over 100 Youth Animators Lead on NCYC's Main Stage at Lucas Oil Stadium
Washington D.C. (PRWEB) November 08, 2013 -- On November 21-23, 2013, Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium will be the host of the largest biennial gathering of Catholic teenagers in the country. With approximately 23,000 participants and 35 U.S. Catholic Bishops, this event produced and presented by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry is planned to be a powerful, life-changing faith experience facilitated by top national speakers, performers, musicians, and youth themselves.
More than 100 young people from 32 U.S. dioceses will be involved as animators and pit choir members for the main stage programming. Giving witness to their faith, they will lead song, prayer, dance and gesture movement. These animators gathered in July 2013 for an intense three-day rehearsal program at Marian University (Indianapolis) and were led by a team of national adult liturgical and youth ministers.
“The energy, talent and faith of the animators and pit choir is a glimpse of the incredible gifts that young people bring to our Church,“ said Jeannie Bross-Judge, a member of the NCYC national program team and a campus minister at Benilde-St. Margaret’s School in St. Louis Park, MN. “I have been blessed to work with NCYC since 1997 and believe that the young people who respond to God’s call to stand on that stage as witnesses to the Gospel to 23,000 of their peers are prophetic voices in our Church.”
Kate Cuddy, director of the 20-member pit choir and the Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Naperville, IL commented, “NCYC is a conference for and about young people. The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry is providing these young people with an opportunity to use their gifts and grow in their ministry leadership. It’s an honor to see youth musicians singing along side of national artists and witness those adults encourage, enliven and raise up these young people as much needed emerging leaders in our Church.”
NCYC will feature national speaker and artist Jesse Manibusan as this year’s emcee, and keynote speakers include Bob Perron of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, Jackie Francois of Orange County, California, and Ansel Augustine of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Top musical performers include internationally known Christian artists, Israel Houghton and Matt Maher, along with top Catholic artists from around the U.S. The three-day conference will include opportunities for spiritual growth, prayer, learning, and service. Attendees will be served with an extensive program of workshops and prayer experiences, along with the Inspiration Junction theme park, which will include service opportunities and exhibits for all registrants.
Live streaming of the main sessions from Lucas Oil Stadium will be provided, especially for parents, and those who cannot attend and want to share in the experience. Information and a link to the live stream can be found at http://www.ncyc.info . In 2011, NCYC was viewed in 93 countries and received over 65,000 page views.
About the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, Inc., a nonprofit organization, is a broad internationally recognized leadership alliance for Catholic youth ministry. Its mission is “To serve those who serve the young Catholic Church.” With the national office located in Washington D.C., the NFCYM ‘s membership is comprised of 179 Catholic dioceses in the U.S. including U.S. military bases throughout Europe, the National Catholic Committee on Girl Scouts and Camp Fire, and 64 youth-serving organizations known as Collaborating Members. In addition to advocacy, research, and support for the field of youth ministry, the NFCYM is the executive producer of the largest single gathering of Catholic youth in the U.S. at the biennial National Catholic Youth Conference, as well as the largest gathering of Catholic youth ministry leaders at the biennial National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry.
Media Relations, Natl. Fed. for Catholic Youth Ministry, http://www.nfcym.org, 202-636-3825, [email protected]
Share this article