PORTLAND, Maine — Despite temperatures in the mid-20s and a freezing drizzle, nearly 200 teenagers and accompanying adults processed through the city of Portland on Sunday, April 15, in a procession at the annual Catholic Youth Convention.
The teens also carried a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a banner displaying the convention’s theme, which was “Believe,” and banners or flags representing their home parishes. As they processed, they prayed and sang hymns, such as “Ave Maria” and “Salve Regina.”
“It was really awesome, because it shows our faith and that we’re not scared to go out in the world and to prove we are Catholics and that we’re not afraid of that, and to show that we love God and that we’re willing to share our faith with others,” said Dominic Lagasse from Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish in Madawaska.
“It was exciting. We got to sing. We were just showing our happiness to everybody else around us, and we felt God’s presence with us,” Lagasse said.
The annual convention gave Maine teens a chance to gather to celebrate their faith with speakers, workshops, Masses, prayer, the sacrament of reconciliation, eucharistic adoration and more.
The convention is sponsored by the diocese’s Office of Lifelong Faith Formation, but teenagers who serve on the Catholic Youth Leadership Team played a key role in planning and running it.
They included emcee Danielle Nadeau of St. John Vianney Parish in Fort Kent. She said the convention gives teenagers, who often have very busy lives, an opportunity to stop and concentrate on their faith.
“With this, they’re all able to come. They’re all able to find their faith and see people that share their faith with them, so they’re able to share it with each other,” she said.
“I find that a lot of teens, when they’re with their friends and stuff, they want to fit in. Or, if something bad happens, they say, ‘God, why did you do that?’ So, they don’t believe. But I want them to know it’s God time. It’s not on your time. God will give you the right answers,” Nadeau said.
Youths from Aroostook County to York County attended the convention.
During Mass at Portland’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Bishop Robert P. Deeley said this is a year in which the Church is especially focusing on young people. Pope Francis, bishops, and dioceses around the world have been preparing for an International Synod of Bishops, to be held in October, which will be devoted to young people in the Catholic Church. The results of a survey of Maine young people conducted by the diocese will be included in the data considered for the synod.
“Pope Francis places much trust in the mission he gives to young people like you. He believes that there is a mission that you are able to carry out in the world. In your time together this weekend, I think you have deepened your appreciation of what believing means and what a difference it makes to the way you live,” the bishop said.
“You should not be surprised that Pope Francis places great faith in you. From its beginnings, the Church has been blessed with the presence of young people alive in faith and eager to serve the Lord Jesus.”
Michael Patin, an inspirational speaker from Louisiana, who has worked in ministry for more than 30 years and formerly worked as a high school teacher, gave the keynote address.
Patin told the teens that God doesn’t only call those who are the best athletes or the brightest; he calls everyone.
“This is not a fairy tale. This is not a history lesson. My God is alive. The same Jesus Christ who did miracles, and healed people, and multiplied stuff, and showed goodness and love and kindness, he is risen. … He’s alive because he’s in me and he’s in you.”
During Mass on Sunday, the bishop blessed and installed new members of the Catholic Youth Leadership Team (CYLT), as well as a new adult leader.
The new CYLT members are Isabelle Castonguay from St. Rose of Lima Parish in Jay, Mary Daniels from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, Brendan Fedrizzi from St. Matthew Parish in Limerick, Israel Gombojav from Corpus Christi Parish in Waterville, Isabella Gould from St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Bangor, Jacob Guillemette from St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford, Jenna Roane from All Saints Parish in Brunswick, Christina Roy from St. Michael Parish in Augusta, Matthew Sawiciki from Prince of Peace Parish in Lewiston, and Thomas Smith from St. Agnes Parish in Pittsfield. The new adult leader is Bob Guillemette from St. Thérèse.
Lagasse reflected on the experience.
“It was awesome,” he said. “We had so much fun dancing, and our keynote speaker was awesome. It was really good. I loved it. The food was good. Everything was good.”
