I was approached in Atlanta during the National Catholic Youth Conference last Ocober by a parish youth minister about doing a rally for the diocese of Albany. Many times when people show an interest in having me come out to be with them, it doesnt always happen.

That wasn’t the case here. My contact person, Brian Evers, contacted me shortly after NCYC and we set a date over a year away…and it was clear to see that so many people from the diocesan office to a volunteer committee busted their tails to make this youth conference (the first they have had in, like, 9 years, I think) such a big success.

What was even more cool was the fact that the focus of the weekend was VOCATION/CALL. The actual theme was “Unwrap your Gifts.”

The music was top 5 for the year…there was a group of about 15 teens who had been practicing for awhile and it showed. It added so much to the weekend. Special “props” to the musicians leading the way.

One of the highlights for me was how they committee structured and presented a 90 minute workshop to all 500 teenagers who were there. (When was the last time you went to a workshop on vocations and 500 people were there?) I loved the creativity and interaction. They did 4 (very) short game shows connected to the four major states of life:
+ Single life : The Dating Game
+Married Life: The Newlywed Game
+ Religious Life: Who DOESN’T Want to Be a Millionaire?
+ Priesthood: Deal or No Deal

This was well done, cleverly crafted and received very well. I was very impressed with the vocations office (team) and the adults planning this piece.

The energy among the teens was great. Part of that comes from the example of their Bishop, Howard Hubbard.

He was there with us for opening prayer on Friday and even stuck around for icebreakers—he did “Yogi Bear!” Few bishops have done that (Cardinal Keeler of Baltimore did—a personal favorite memory for me!).

Many thanks to all the people who made this event “first class” in the details.