“I say N-C, you say … Y-C!” This familiar call and response can be heard echoing throughout the hallways of the Indianapolis Convention Center for the National Catholic Youth Conference.
More than 20,000 teens from all across the country, including over 200 from the Diocese of Cleveland, descended upon the Hoosier State. This gathering is even a little more special as Bishop Nelson Perez is serving in his first year as episcopal liaison to the National Federal of Catholic Youth Ministry, which sponsors the biennial gathering.
Four buses left from various spots in the diocese early on Nov. 21 to arrive five hours later outside of Lucas Oil Stadium, the main venue for NCYC’s general sessions. Prior to the opening session, Region VI (the dioceses of Ohio and Michigan) gathered for Mass.
Bishop Robert Fisher, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit, was the main celebrant and opened the liturgy noting that it was great that Ohio and Michigan can pray together. His comment drew some chuckles in reference to the rivalry -- especially for football -- between The Ohio State University and the University of Michigan.
Bishop Perez delivered the liturgy’s homily and reflected on the presentation of Mary and her role in the faith. The bishop kept repeating the line, “nothing is impossible for God.” By the end of his homily, teens from the liturgy caught on and were chanting it.
“If you ever say, I just don’t know. It’s not for me,” said Bishop Perez, "Just remember nothing is impossible for God.”
Throughout the week and weekend, teens will encounter various faith-based activities from prayer, adoration, speakers, music and more. “I like adoration on Friday night,” said Patrick, a senior from Elyria Catholic High School.
Sara Lanzola, the campus minister from Elyria Catholic, finds that NCYC is a great way to allow youth “to step out of their comfort zone and see other teens on fire for their faith.”
Bishop Perez was also the main celebrant for the first general session’s prayer. He told the crowd, “don’t forget to bring your enthusiasm and your faith back to your local churches and share it as a gift. God will speak to you this weekend. Listen!”
More coverage of NCYC can be found on the diocesan Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram accounts as well as Bishop Perez’s Twitter and Instagram. Social media followers can also search and the hashtag #NCYC2019 for additional posts.
Click HERE for a large image gallery that will be added to through the trip.