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June 29, 2008 edition

Upcoming CYX encourages teens to ‘let their light shine’
by Debbie Bosak

“CYX underscores the importance that this is not just a great three days but also a show case of our faith, culminating in a sending forth of your youth back into the community,” said Kevin Driscoll, diocesan director of youth and young adult ministry, in reference to the upcoming Catholic Youth Xperience July 18-20 in Valparaiso.

Now in its fifth year, the 2008 CYX event has been planned to coincide with World Youth Day in Sydney Australia, July 15-20.

“We will try to bring a sense of what is going on in Australia locally to CYX,” Driscoll explained in a recent interview. “We want the participants to feel in communion with their brothers and sisters gathered in Sydney with Pope Benedict XVI.”

Organizers of the three day weekend, to be held at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center and Valparaiso University, expect to attract more than 250 teens, ninth grade through new high school graduates, and close to 50 adult leaders and chaperones. This year, Driscoll reported, CYX is welcoming at least 17 groups, representing 30 of the diocesan parishes.

Also this year, at the predominant symbol of the faith has been added to CYX, consistent with the WYD tradition. In 1984, Pope John Paul II initiated a traveling cross that now makes its way around the world before arriving at the WYD site. Modeling that tradition, Bishop Dale J. Melczek blessed and commissioned a CYX cross on June 5. Engraved on an attached plaque are words from Scripture.

“Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity (1 Tim 4:12).

At the commissioning, Bishop Melczek recalled the common call of all the faithful, youth included, to mission, to use one’s particular gifts to “share Christ’s message of hope with others.”

The bishop went on to note how young people are greatly influenced by peers – for good and for bad. “Our young people are called to share (Christ’s message) with their peers,” he said. “Let your light shine.”

The cross, Bishop Melczek continued, would also serve as a reminder to adults of the parish of the importance of youth. Youth, the bishop said, are a “critical part of parishes and should be involved in the life of a parish.”

The cross then began a six-week journey, with stops at parishes across the diocese, scheduled to arrive at St. Teresa of Avila in time of the CYX weekend.

The central theme of CYX 2008, according to Driscoll, is evangelization. Keynote speakers will include musician Sal Solo from ACTS Evangelism and Jordan Fetcko, a seminarian and former CYX participant.
Teens will also gather by grade level throughout the weekend for age-appropriate catechesis.

Freshman will learn about Christian leadership and the ensuing responsibilities. Sophomores will tackle relationships from a Christian perspective. Designed as an apologetic, juniors will look at the Catholic identity.

Using the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops’ document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” incoming seniors will explore social justice issues.

“They’ll begin to learn what it means to be a Catholic voter,” Driscoll explained.

Finally, for recent high school graduates, CYX becomes a personal retreat in preparation for moving on the next stage of their lives.

While the teens met in their peer groups, adult participants will receive information on Youth Ministry Access, a library of programming and catechetical resources designed by the Center of Ministry Development. As part of a pilot program on adolescent catechesis, participating CYX parish groups will receive a free year’s subscription to the program to assist their post-Confirmation efforts.

“The program is designed to help shape an on-going program for high school student,” Driscoll said. “Adult leaders will discuss ways to give more substance and content to their own programs.”

According to Driscoll, one of the real highlights of the weekend will be the pilgrimage walk on Saturday afternoon. After being bused to north Valparaiso, participants will hike the one-mile walk to Camp Lawrence in union with the WYD pilgrimage walk. Events planned at the camp site include live music, food, games and satellite coverage of the WYD closing Mass.

“At sunset,” Driscoll said, “we switch to prayer mode—Via Cruces, or Way of the Cross and a candle-light vigil.”

This weekend will end with Mass at 2:30 p.m. at St. Teresa on Sunday, Celebrated by Bishop Melczek.

(Article from NWIC, June 29, 2008 – page C “Summer 2008 Fun Guide” Volume XXII number 25)