Catholic Youth Learn to
be Super Heroes
of Faith at Annual
Convention
Next weekend, February 16-18,
more than 950 youth and chaperones will gather for the 55th Annual
Diocesan Youth Convention. Held in
downtown Buffalo at the Adam’s Mark Hotel and sponsored by the diocesan youth
department, this year’s convention theme is Super
heroes of faith – sent by the Son to serve the world.
The three-day convention will include
a keynote presentation by APeX Ministries, a
nationally known comedy duo who perform “Christian Vaudeville.” Their act includes juggling, humor, skits,
story-telling and personal testimony.
Their presentation next week (Fri., February 16, 8:30-10 p.m.) is a
return engagement for the energetic pair.
In 1999, they also were the featured guests at the annual youth
convention and appeared in 1999 and 2000 at the Lights for the World
events.
Friday’s schedule also includes
reconciliation and a prayer service.
About 20 priests are expected to be on hand to hear confessions.
On Saturday (February 17), the group
will focus on Catholic social teaching in light of immigration and will be followed
by smaller learning sessions and an evening cotillion.
Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, bishop of
Buffalo, will present the Manus Christi and For God and Youth Awards on Sunday
(February 18, 12-1 p.m.). A Mass at 1:30 p.m. will mark the culmination of the
convention.
In addition to the scheduled
presentations and liturgies, there will be a PowerPoint presentation on Friday
(February 16, 7:30-8:30 p.m.) during the annual “year in review” that will
include a brief moment of silence for those who have been so instrumental to
youth ministry in the diocese and have died in the past year. In addition to parish youth ministers, it
will include Sister Karen Kilmczak, SSJ, and former
diocesan youth director Father Gary Bagley.
Memorial posters for Sister Karen and Father Bagley also will be on
display in the prayer chapel where youth can add their own tributes to the pair
that died so unexpectedly in 2006.
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