NCYC Friday dinner

Here is what dominik had to say before our food arrived for dinner on Friday.

Dominik Garcia

I think it's great that I get to go in the first place. At first I didn't think I wanted to come to NCYC, but now I am glad that I did. I love the whole trading concept. It helped people meet others and it got some people out of their shell. I actually met someone who had a relative that raced in the Indy 500. It was really interesting to hear her story and then I told her my story, and that I had lived in Indy my whole life. I also got to see CHEESE HEADS!!!!!! Dear Santa.... But anyways, the trading concept really helped meet new people and to hear where they are from. Also it was funny to see people from Florida praying that it would snow because the had never seen snow. The only session that I went to because it was the only one we were on time for and that we really felt motivated to go to was a music one. The speaker had talked about how music is not as bad as an influence as most people had thought. She had talked about how it can actually be a really good influence. She then played some songs in example that could be a bad influence. After each song she would ask if we knew it. We knew most of them and she just laughed. Overall it was a good session. The rest of the time we walked around and made friends with people. I like the creative corner. The was paint clay and other things that you could make things with. They even had an artist paint a few pictures live. He was amazing. I also got to meet a friend from CYO camp Rancho Framasa that I hadn't seen in awhile. All of the things that we had done in the stadium were beautiful too. The messages they sent were just amazing and couldn't have been put any other way. I could go on and on and on, but I'm going to stop here and end with this:
The lord works in amazing and mysterious ways.

NCYC 2011 dinner of Friday

This is a thursday evening to Saturday evening event. Tonight at dinner while we waited for our food I asked and several said they wanted to write something. Here are there thoughts.

Sam -
I love experiencing these amazing speakers with so many other Catholic teenagers. My first session today was one of those that you walk in, and you know immediately that this is going to change your life. Sarah Hart taught us that we are Important , Forgiven, and Beloved. She made us tell ourselves this over and over until it was tattooed into our minds and we strongly believed it. She also taught us that we are ALL beloved, important, and forgiven, and we treat each other accordingly . Sarah Hart was a fabulous speaker, and a great deliverer of God's word.


Tori -
This is my second and final NCYC. I am quite saddened that I have to be done with this amazing experience after tomorrow night. This conference is such an amazing experience that is totally worth the money! Last night, the beginning of the conference was so spiritual and influential. The opening session was full of music, fun and dancing. It is so amazing to see 23,000 other Catholic teenagers! I never even imagined sooooo many people gathering together to share their faith together as the young church of Christ! I wish I could participate in NCYC every year they have it. Today I went to the session about music being involved in your life and how it affects what we do. Music is so influential and the songs I listen to are the soundtrack of my life! I advise everyone who is in high school still in two years from now to participate in this amazing experience. There is no doubt in my mind that NCYC has brought me closer to my faith and to God in more ways than I can imagine!!!!!! I pray and worship in different ways. Because of this amazing experience, every time I hold my hands out during mass and throughout the day, I feel God holding my hands. I know that God is with me through it all, no matter so good or bad the situation is. I know that I can turn to God for guidance in everything that I do!!!!!! My faith has grown exponentially since I attended my first NCYC two years ago in Kansas City. I am called to glory because Christ reigns!!!!!!! I wish everyone luck in their journey of faith throughout their life. If you ever need guidance, know that God is there with you to protect you and guide you through it all. Do not be afraid, because God is there with you through it all. May God bless you and keep you safe from harm. I know that I am where I am in my life because of my faith and the close relationship that I have with God, my savior!!! The National Catholic Youth Conference is part of the reason that I am so faithful and religious. To be completely honest, I was no where near as faithful, religious, or as involved in mass before NCYC as I am now! Have a great day and know that I am praying that all of you may feel the love of God with you, as I do. This is the greatest experience of my life and I would not change a thing!!!!!!


Meg:

For starters, the fact that we can attend a Colt's grill and someone stand up in the middle of the restaurant and announce that it is time to give thanks and say grace is hands down, flat out, AMAZING. Watching the whole entire restaurant full of teens pause and pray is only one of the many spectacular experiences through my first NCYC journey. I've began to expect nothing less than love running through downtown. We are all here to grow in our faith. Seeing so many kids my age that are Catholic with me for three days straight continually reminds me how I'm not alone on this walk. There are 23,000 other beautiful teens creating their own footprints on their walk, we are all together in this. I don't often get to feel this united and connected with people my age or really with my faith. This is the single handedly the greatest experience of my life. I haven't ever been so at peace with my body and soul. I have no one to thank other than Poppa himself for working in mysterious ways to help me discover myself and who I want to be for the rest of my life. This Is the life and faith I plan to lead through with. God bless. : ) <3

More pictures on Flickr soon

NCYC 2011

I have asked some of the kids to write down there thoughts about what they have done so far. Here is what some of them said.

I think Sam typed this up but it could be Megan the author forgot to label it.
Last night was simply amazing . Can you imagine 23,000 people all screaming and dancing for the same purpose ? It's even better that the purpose is to serve our God . If you were ever to feel alone in your faith coming to NCYC will erase any of those feelings . Looking around its comforting to know that you won't ever be alone . And we are having a great time praising our God together here at NCYC !

Kat had this to say
Just seeing the amount of teenagers filing into the stadium as though a rock concert was occurring was amazing! Everyone is so nice to each other and it is truly a site to see. There is no way to describe the feeling you get when you are a teenage Catholic and you are praying with 23,000 other Catholics your age. Plus the trading is always fun! I cannot wait for the weekend to start this morning.

And simply put Steven had this to say
Amazing! Last night was fun music and everything else that you can image.


I have figured out how to use Flickr recently so if you follow this link you can see several pictures I will be posting throughout NCYC.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/testeiner/

More to come later
Tom

Tom thoughts on day 4

Every year I come OBOC I was believe the reason for the success of this place is the community. Every year I bring youth to this program I see the power that removing some of the distractions from our lives to let us truly interact with each other. To get to know each other in a genuine way instead of through social networking websites, or through texting helps them to see the value in spending time in prayer, and community with each other. the experience of the sacraments on this "Holy Hill" helps them to see the sacrament in a way that is relevant to them, but instad of just longing for a chance to return this place equips them with the skills to see it happen in there own church.

Tori's thoughts on day 4

This is our last full day at OBOC. We leave tomorrow. My time here has flown by incredibly too fast. Last night, we all went to confession. It was great. We got to sit in the monk seats. It feels so great to know my sins have been forgiven by the Lord, our God. He died for our sins and now he forgives them. I feel so much better now! Immediately following confession, we all went outside the Archabbey church and gave each other the sign of peace. Since we were feeling so much better lots of people were giving each other hugs. It was nice. The barrier of our sins, separating us all has been removed. We were just like one giant community. The community we all formed in the past four days. Before the conference we were all strangers to each other. Now we are brothers and sisters in God's name. The Lord is always with you. Through all of life's ups and downs. God made you and your life the way he intended.

Day 3 Tor's thoughts

The past three days at OBOC have been fun and full of prayer. I can just feel God's presence with me wherever I go. Yesterday we went and prayed with the monks. They pray differently then us. They pray slower and much quieter. It was very interesting. I am tired by lack of sleep, but the days are so action packed. They are inspirational and moving. I am learning so much! Past the learning, we have lots of fun. Our morning session with Fr. Godfrey is funny he is hilarious. We learn and laugh at the same time. Last night just for some fun , we had a dance everyone was dressed for there favorite holiday, and we all went out and danced the night away. The food is so good as well. This retreat was designed to bring us closer to God and one another, and it is working. God is always with us.

Tori's thoughts of day 2 here at OBOC.

I have been here for 2 days now at OBOC (One Bread One Cup) and I don't think it could possibly get better. I have learned so much! I truly feel like I better person in God's eyes. We might not get much sleep, but I sure am having a blast. The monks are hilarious. I have met a couple of new friends from other parishes and cities. We are learning so much about the word of God. He cares so much for us, and He gave up his life for us to live. He wants us to spread the Word of God to make more believers. Life doesn't work the way you want it to, life works the God wants it to. Things happen for a reason, and the reason is how God intended for it to happen.