It is always exciting to be a part of “big church” especially when it is Catholic teens from across the US. This was my 9th NCYC (and 8th as a presenter)

Atlanta GA was the site for 16,500 teens and adults. We celebrated the theme “Winds of Change.” It was so awesome to see teens from all over trading pins, hats (Rochester dragon tails and Baltimore crab hats were hot), mooses that poop, beads and more. There were clickers and whistles and duck calls‘; return true;” onmouseout=”window.status='’; return true;”>duck calls and who knows what else. There were prayer areas, game areas, reconciliation, service projects, vocation areas, college areas; you could even pay to ride an ostrich! (Special thanks to my buddy, Marlene Stammerman and all her committee for making Peachtree Corners a really awesome place for teens.)

And the talent…there were awesome speakers throughout the program! Steve Angrisano was the emcee for the whole conference and brought his joy and energy to the main stage. Tammy Everard gave a keynote and there were awesome workshop speakers.

Musical talent was abounding…hip hop, praise and worship, contemporary Christian, liturgical, Celtic…it was all there.

There was a comedy club featuring some of “my” fellow presenter friends Apex (Gene and Brad), Over the Top Ministries (Justin and Anne Marie), Oddwalk (Shannon and Orin), Bob Perron and more. Teens came back raving about it.

A personal highlight for me was getting to see the heart, the hope, the passion, and the million dollar smile of keynoter and all around good guy‘; return true;” onmouseout=”window.status='’; return true;”>good guy (the Catholic “Elvis”), Jesse Manibusan. He continues to be so good to me, supporting me in my work as a presenter. The best compliment came from a New Orleans teen a few years back, “When he talks with you, it is like you are the only person in the world!” Yep, the real deal, calling the real young church to BE real. Sweet.

I had a booth and sold tee shirts. That was a lot of work but I was blessed by getting help from a ton of people…namely some friends from Our Lady of the Snows Shrine in Belleville IL. To Donna, Fr. Raul and Gina…as well as East Coast vocation director from the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Fr. Dwight—thank you all for the work at the booth. You made it awesome. And thanks to John and Katrina Rae, my “booth neighbors” who taught me much and shared so well.

Anna Scally and I did a concurrent session on “Tuned in Teens” on Friday afternoon.

It was a new presentation and a lot to cover but Anna made the whole thing go smoothly. It was a treat to present with one of the best presenters in youth work I know. Thank you, Dame Scally.

I was touched deeply when I got to go to night prayer with the teens from the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Their warm welcome floored me. Their faith in these hard times makes me proud that I was able to be serving among them for close to 13 years. Some tears were shed but also some smiles and tons of beads (Cory Howat and his buddies, along with the unflappable Chris Gross and New Orleans teens, raised over $5000 by getting donations for beads).

The biggest treat was visiting with friends met on the journey…from teens in Rochester, Davenport and Bethesda, MD to Austin, Alaska and Alabama. I re-connected with adults who are walking in faith along teens as young disciples.

And what would a trip be without a little drama. I few into Atlanta for the conference from Pensacola—a 42 minute flight. Yet when I arrived in Atlanta, “the Winds of Change” had claimed my luggage. It was found 2 days later…in

Johannesburg South Africa! Not a joke. My personal items (translation: underwear) went across the Atlantic without me. Just not fair. Thank God for Wal-mart! I did get my luggage back on Saturday morning, just in time to wear my Notre Dame jersey even though the Irish didn’t play.
My luggage went 17, 260 miles (round trip) without me. I am working to see if I can get those frequent flyer miles.

Speaking of thanks, thanks to
• The staff of NFCYM—Bob McCarty, Kathy, Mike, Maureen, Mark, Ruby, Andrea, and Katie. I have NO IDEA all the stuff that goes on behind the scenes to make this work. You do it well and call little attention to yourselves. Thanks for serving us so well.
• The Catholic Youth Foundation—for providing monies for teens on the Gulf Coast to attend this conference. It wouldn’t have been the same without these people at NCYC.
• Barb Garvin and all the Atlanta organizers—bravo for taking this on! And it was a great experience.
• Mark Butler and the Columbus staff—I look forward to Columbus hosting us in 2006.
• Declan Weir and his technical people who make the lights and sound on this huge conference work.
• God…I get to do this and meet some super people and you give us a chance to come together to celebrate our faith in you.

I had a wonderful time with the faculty and students of this BLUE RIBBON school.

I did a day for the faculty on Monday; it’s always so neat to watch a faculty’s body language as I come to give a day of in-service or a day of reflection. It is almost like they are asking, “Who is this goomer and what does he THINK he is going to tell us? I’d rather be cleaning my room or grading papers!” I usually get told about how many people approached the principal asking to do something else…actually, anything else, rather than being “on retreat.”

But the faculty and I had a good day. One teacher even told me “I wasn’t THAT bad.” (remind me to put that in the next brochure!).

I could tell from this group of women (and Stephen) that there was some tangible chemistry. There is something about how they pull together and achieve excellence. There is a joie de vivre and an espirit de corps that you can feel among them.

Monday evening was a supper sponsored by Msgr. Mike Cherup, the pastor, at a very nice restaurant. I was impressed by the support of neighboring pastors who offer presence and financial support.

I spent Tuesday speaking to the students as part of their fun day celebrating the blue ribbon accomplishment. The day began with Bishop John Ricard presiding at Eucharist. They had a day of inflatables—those “space walk” things etc. Funniest thing was seeing faculty members challenge each other and cheat on the obstacle course. I spoke to all the students in 2 age groups. Great energy! Polite, well mannered young people. From the witness of the staff and students, I could see that Mrs. Regina Nadicksbernd, the principal, does a great job.

While I was there, I got to see a neat thing. One of New Orleans most prominent families was enrolling their grandson that day. When they heard I was from New Orleans, they introduced themselves and I was in awe. Not because of their”aire” but because of their humility. I alerted the principal of the school about the great family they were getting. I can also say now, that as hard as relocating is, I am sure this family will realize how blessed they are to have found St. Mary’s School.

It was great to visit with my colleague, Msgr. Mike Cherup. He takes great pride in his people, his parish and the school. I’ve known him for close to 15 years and he has always been about excellence. He just completed 20 or so years as diocesan director of youth ministry. He is a man of detail and compassion. I respect him greatly and it was a kick to share a slice of life with him. I look forward to being back in the diocese for the youth conference in the spring.
Good times.