More than 200 high school students from across the Diocese of Cleveland attended the 2025 National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana Nov. 20-23. The teens said the event left them energized and excited about their faith.
Here is what some of the delegates shared after the conference.
“I’ve always heard Jesus loves you … but this experience helped me realize Jesus really loves me,” said one teen from Holy Family Parish in Stow.
AJ Post from St. Barnabas Parish in Northfield described NCYC as an “amazing opportunity to see the youth on fire for the Lord.”
“I had an opportunity to grow in my friendships through a common interest,” said Bryan Morton of St. Paschal Baylon Parish in Highland Heights. “We all came here because we love Jesus and it was amazing to have something that was so relatable. I met a lot of great people and established a lot of friendships at NCYC which I will forever be thankful for.”
Fellow parishioner Jason Hughes called his overall experience “great” and noted it’s something not many people get a chance to do. “I learned so much … and I get to pass on what I learned to others to help them understand … now maybe I can convince more friends to go on retreats.”
Several Elyria Catholic High School students were among the diocesan NCYC cohort. Here are some of their observations.
- “My favorite part of NCYC was seeing people from all around the country and being a part of general sessions processions. I loved adoration and Mass, everything was so beautifully put together, and it felt so peaceful.”
- “This wasn’t just a time for me to grow closer with God but also the people around me that I see every day as well as the new people who I connected with throughout the conference.”
- “I loved getting to sit in the presence of our Lord and just talk to him openly … knowing that out of the 17,000 people there, he was seeking me out personally. It was a time to reflect on my relationship with him and just sit in his wonderful presence.”
- “My favorite part from this weekend was adoration … I have finally felt God’s presence and my soul felt lighter afterwards.”
- “My favorite part about NCYC was the adoration and the closing Mass … There was something so beautiful in just looking around to see all the people actively seeking Christ. Additionally, watching all of the priests enter and just see how much faith there truly is in the world around us that we don't even realize.”
- “I realized that no matter how far I distance myself from God he is always right there waiting for me with open arms.”
- “It is such a great thing to be able to worship the Lord with 16,000 like-minded young people. It really shows us how we unite as one Catholic Church with our hearts centered on Christ in the sacraments.”
- “… After receiving Communion, I felt extremely close to God, and I actually felt his presence. I loved this moment so much because there were so many people in the room that seemed to be feeling the same things as me. There was a moment of complete silence in between the songs changing and I felt the most peaceful I probably have ever felt.”
- “We are not defined by our sin.”
- “My favorite part about NCYC 2025 was Mass the last day because it was so beautiful to see so many teens so passionate about their faith and the participation in the songs being sung. The whole weekend was filled with God’s love and presence, and I would do anything to go again.”
- “I loved being able to gather with 16,000 people my age that believe in God. It helped me grow in my faith tremendously.”
- “My favorite part was Sister Miriam James’ speech … it got me ready for adoration. She was talking and put herself in a very vulnerable place allowing others to find God’s grace and love. ‘You and I are never alone,’ she said.”