PORTLAND, Maine — Though it took place in a virtual format this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Maine Catholic Youth Convention once again offered a chance for teens from Aroostook County to York County to celebrate their shared Catholic faith and build friendships along the way.
On Sunday, July 26, teens from around the state participated individually from home or in small, socially distanced groups at parishes.
The convention was set up like a virtual newscast, with Brendan Fedrizzi of St. Matthew Parish in Limerick and Belle Castonguay of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Jay serving as “co-anchors” live from the Chancery building in Portland, delivering segments with special guests.
Deacon Luis Sanclemente of St. John Vianney Parish in Fort Kent discussed a reading from the Gospel of Matthew in which Jesus walks on water and reassures believers to not be afraid of nature or life but, instead, place their complete trust in God.
“Without faith, nothing can be sustained,” Sanclemente said. “We use faith all of the time. If we have faith in the natural world, that faith calls us to a higher purpose and that faith is the faith of God. We search for it and crave it. It is something that drives us because God created us for himself. So we are invited, like Peter, to walk in faith towards him. That faith is the foundation of our will.”
During the weather “segment,” small groups at the parishes discussed “positive clouds,” meaning what gives them hope and positivity in these trying times. Answers included friends, nature, love and faith.
From Presque Isle, Kailee Cox, a teen from the Parish of the Precious Blood, spoke about hope.
“Don’t worry about whether something seems possible. God gave you a desire and you need to hope and go for it. Hope sees the impossible. Hope achieves the impossible,” Cox said.
“I was the sports guy on the newscast,” said Paul Bonner of Easton, who also attends the Parish of the Precious Blood. “I talked about sports and how faith is not a spectator sport. You have to be all in.”
He explained, “That is what faith is. You have to be exercising it. And sure, it’s not going to work all the time. You’re going to feel distant and it’s not going to seem like you’re being reached by God, but it’s one of those things where you have keep going and you have to keep improving.”
The convention also featured a Saints of the Day segment, prayer and the offering of well wishes to members of the senior class.
The unique convention was planned and produced by the diocese’s Catholic Youth Leadership Team. Team members serve as Christian leaders among their peers, work with diocesan staff to plan and execute major teen events, and help youth ministry leadership at the parish level.
Working with the CYLT to offer the virtual convention was the diocese’s Office of Lifelong Faith Formation.
“The pandemic has challenged us to look at things differently: our relationships, our learning, our health, our lives, and our faith,” said Lori Dahlhoff, director of the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation. “We are grateful that we could come together, even virtually, pray together, and grow in our appreciation of the importance we hold for each other as we are the Church together.”
As part of the gathering, Bishop Deeley celebrated a live-streamed Mass from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
“The very fact that we gather together is a good thing for all of us. We remind each other that we are Church,” said the bishop.
Bishop Deeley told the young people that when they acknowledge that the spirit of Jesus guides them in life, they will find their place in the world.
“Wisdom is the beginning of faith. It connects us with God whom we know as love. Knowing of his love gives us hope, and we know that there is meaning in our world,” he said. “As God has loved us, and we know it as we gather today, we know ourselves called to love each other, and work to bring God’s love into our world.”
During the Mass, the bishop virtually blessed the new members of the Catholic Youth Leadership Team who will serve during the coming year.
Awards were presented to youth and adults who provide an exemplary model of living the Gospel life in Maine.
St. Timothy Awards are given to high school students who exhibit Catholic morals and integrity, demonstrate gospel values through service to others, and display Christian leadership. The eight recipients were Katherine Berube of Houlton, Kailee Cox of Presque Isle, Brendan Fedrizzi of Limerick, Jean-Daniel Liwanga of Portland, Justin Ouellette of Lewiston, William Prescott of Houlton, Robert Sanders of Kennebunk and Thomas Smith of Pittsfield.
Companions on the Journey Awards are given to adults who demonstrate excellence, leadership, and commitment in service to youth ministry. The five recipients were Jeff Albert of Prince of Peace Parish in Lewiston, Scott Carpenter and Carol Marceau of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford, Carolyn Houston of Holy Spirit Parish in Kennebunk/Wells, and Julia Sanclemente of St. John Vianney Parish in Fort Kent.
