NCYC

A great thing is happening in Indianapolis, Indiana at the present moment.  Upwards of 23,000 Catholic young people and those who minister to them are taking part in the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC).  Christie Smith, the diocesan director of youth and young adult ministry is leading the group from the Greensburg Diocese, including my neighbors, Monsignor Paul Fitzmaurice and Father Jonathan Wisneski from Saint Agnes.  247 youth and adult pilgrims left by bus for Indianapolis on Thursday.  It is the largest diocesan group from our Region: the states of PA and NJ.  Keep them in your prayers, both for the conference but especially as they return and bring home the message of the theme: "Called To Glory".

Pictures and blogs are being sent home and can be viewed at
http://www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/Blog/NCYCCYG/default.aspx
Parts of the conference are being streamed live at ncyc.nfcym.org 
Check it out.  I have never attended a NCYC event, but anytime you get 23,000 exuberant Catholic youth together, it has got to be awesome.  If you check out the pictures, look for the hats.  The abbreviation for Diocese of Greensburg is D.O.G.  Our group's hats are cute little "doggie hats", that they say are very popular for trading among delegates.  It definitely "sets them apart".

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     Today the Church celebrates the dedication of two churches that honor the two great foundational Apostles - Peter and Paul.  Those churches built in their honor in Rome are built over the place of their death and burial.  They are Saint Peter Basilica and the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

     The reading today from Maccabees speaks of the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the time of persecution and trial and desecration.  Both the feast and the readings remind us of the gift that God gives us of a place to worship, but more importantly, they remind us that we are the living stones that build up the temple of the Lord - the Church.  We need to dedicate ourselves and consecrate our lives to the glory of God and the strengthening of his people.  That is the Call that we have received in baptism, and the Call that the young people in Indianapolis are responding to today with joyful hearts.