The diocesan World Youth Day Rally in Omaha was an awesome day for me. Rita Ramos, diocesan director of youth ministry, invited me to be there with 500 teens. Our theme was “Catholic to the Core”–and these teens were.

I heard their questions and answers about our Catholic faith and I was so impressed with them. They really are curious about what we believe and why we believe it. It really gave me a sense of pride and hope in working with them.

The other keynote address was given by Sarah Bauer. She is very talented and a delightful, fresh, real new voice and witness for Catholic teens, who is very much Catholic to the core.

I also got to visit with Mike Carotta, who is another one of my “ministry giants.” He has done so much for Catholic youth and those who work with them. He makes me think, he helps me to laugh and he’s been a big support to me in the 25 or so years that we have known one another.