The second Youth Rally & Mass drew nearly 5,000 people to Cleveland Public Auditorium on Oct. 25 for witness stories, music, Mass and camaraderie. The event was larger than the first one in 2023.
“We’re not here as rivals,” Bishop Edward Malesic told the students, who hailed from all 20 Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Cleveland. “God has a plan for each of us … Listen to him because he has something to say every day … Each of us is unique, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Think about how God might be using you to set the world ablaze.”
(See photo gallery above.)
Students arrived at Public Auditorium in about 90 buses. Although the chilly, windy and wet weather caused some delays, there was excitement as they entered the building. Greeting them enthusiastically were seminarians from Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries and a cadre of volunteers, many of whom are diocesan employees. There were high-fives and cheers as school names were announced.
Father Eric Garris, diocesan vocations director, served as master of ceremonies, welcoming and warming up the crowd before Claire Green from Holy Family Parish in Stow shared her witness story. She is a member of the Diocesan Youth Advisory Council and the daughter of Deacon John Green from Holy Family Parish.
“God doesn’t need you, but he wants you and that made all the difference,” she told her peers. “Today, take a step toward that love.”
Father Garris said our faith helps us move forward, as Claire explained. “How is God alive in you today?” he asked before introducing keynote speaker Meg Hunter-Kilmore, a storyteller, evangelist and campus minister at the University of Notre Dame.
Building on Claire’s witness, Hunter-Kilmore told the group the Gospel is not a list of dogmas. “Fundamentally, it is a love affair. The truth is you are loved — full stop.” She said Jesus became a refugee, suffered, died and rose for us. “He’d rather die than live without you,” she added.
Highlight of the day was Mass, which followed her presentation. The entrance procession featured seminarians, deacons from across the eight-county diocese, Bishop Malesic, Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost and about 16 other concelebrating priests.
Bishop Malesic said Public Auditorium has hosted major entertainers including The Beatles and Elvis Presley. However, earlier this year, it also was the site of the diocesan Rite of Election, which drew thousands of people who freely declared their intent to join the Church or to enter into full communion with the Catholic faith.
Many things try to tear us away from Jesus, but we have the freedom to stay with him, the bishop said, noting even sin can’t keep him away. “You cannot outpower God with your sins. His gift to us is eternal life with the saints and angels … He tells us he placed his fire in us, and he wants us to keep it alive.”
The event was presented by the diocesan Office of Youth Ministry, headed by Francine Costantini.
Watch the diocesan news page on the website and diocesan social media for more on the Youth Rally & Mass, including a video.