Hello my fellow Fearless Catholics! I hope you're all doing well, I've been praying for each and everyone one of you. I haven't written in awhile but I hope you enjoy this post because I had fun experiencing Youth Day 2015 with my best friends!
The theme of Youth Day was 'Talk Jesus With Me.' and we were encouraged to Talk Jesus with everyone we encountered throughout the busy day. My friends and I went with the coolest church around, Sacred Heart who in fact, and this is the truth has the coolest youth ministers! I just love them so much.
Youth Day started at 8:00am and even though I had to wake up at 5:00am (Which I dreaded.) It was totally worth it. In the car my friends and I made the famous 'Free Hug' signs which are always so fun to make and get hugs all day! Once we got to the Anaheim Convention center we went straight into the arena where we were blessed with mass, amazing music from the Incredible Catholic band Jeremy & Ryan, and a talk from Father Greg Boyle founder of Homeboy Ministry for gang members who want to return to their loving Father's arms. No I'm not talking about their fathers, I'm talking about OUR Father, our loving Lord in Heaven.
If you would like to learn more about what kind of things Fr. Greg Boyle does and his ministry click the link to the right: http://www.homeboyindustries.org Fr. Boyle is such an amazing priest and such a great man.
Our parish, Sacred Heart were immensely blessed to have lunch with the Bishop. Bishop Barnes across the street at the Hilton Hotel straight across from the Anaheim Convention Center.
We headed back over to our workshop at 1:00 in the afternoon where we got to listen to Fr. Rob Galea who is an ordained priest, singer/songwriter who plays the guitar wonderfully. Fr. Rob's talk was #DoItScared. Fr. Rob is funny, humble, and a great speaker. Fr. Rob lives in Victoria, Australia but is from Malta. Our group even got to hear Fr. Rob Galea's rendition of Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars. (I'm pretty sure we all know that song.)
Our last session was Ike Ndolo who is such a great artist who sings for the Glory Of God and absolutely loves what he does. My friends and I were very lucky though because not only did we get to see Ike Ndolo but the Jacob and Matthew band who also sing for the Glory of our King.
This was (part of) our day at Youth Day 2015! Top right is me with my youth minister Candice who has the coolest hair. Top left are inspiring lyrics from the Jacob and Matthew band. Bottom left, is me with one of the lead singers from the J&M band who was nice enough to stop and take pictures. The bottom right is a (bad) picture of Jeremy and Ryan who totally rocked the arena and had everyone singing and shouting.
I encourage everyone who hasn't gone to Youth Day to go. You are surrounded by 15,000+ teens that love and praise God, that give you hugs, and that 'Talk Jesus' with you. It's a crazy feeling knowing you can be your Jesus freak self and not be ashamed or made fun of. Please go to Youth Day! Ask anyone and they will tell you what an experience you will have. I wish every month there was a youth day because not only do you have fun but it strengthens your faith in more ways than one.
I want to leave you with something Fr. Greg Boyle said to us, "Youth Day is not where you go but where you leave." Meaning it is not somewhere you go and then leave and act like it did not happen but somewhere you go, learn, and spread the gospel.
God bless, ya'll
Sammy
If you are interested in any of the speakers/musicians I mentioned here are the links to their official websites. Don't forget to check Fr. Rob Galea out on Instagram and don't forget to check Jeremy and Ryan out on Facebook.
Fr Rob: http://www.frrobgalea.com/about/
Jeremy & Ryan: https://www.facebook.com/JeremyAndRyan
Jacob and Matthew now known as WAL: http://www.walmusic.com/
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