“Burn the ships:” students inspired to be all-in for Christ at NCYC

The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) is an amazing gathering of high school students and chaperones held at the Indiana Convention Center and the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. It is a bi-annual gathering to learn more about our faith through keynote speakers, Catholic entertainers, and workshop presenters.

Where else can Pope Francis send a video message underlining the importance of this event to over 20,000 high school students and their chaperones? What a surprise this was to have our shepherd present at NCYC! He urged all young people to go out to every person and bear witness to the tender mercy of Jesus.

On November 20, 2019, the Diocese of Fargo and Diocese of Crookston joined together on a bus to begin the pilgrimage. The following evening, our own Bishop Folda and Bishop Kettler from the Diocese of St. Cloud celebrated Mass with other students, chaperones, bishops, priests, deacons, and seminarians from around North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Next, we walked to the Lucas Oil Stadium to be introduced to the theme of the conference, “Blessed, Broken, and Given.” Our evening entertainment, For King and Country, took the stage. The following days were filled with workshops, prayer, daily Mass, adoration, reconciliation, and entertainment.

Father Neil Pfeifer, pastor of St. Philip Neri Church in Napoleon mentioned that while riding in the car for two hours after the 13-hour trip back from NCYC, the students commented that every talk at NCYC touched their hearts as they could relate to the issues discussed which brought them into an encounter with the Lord Jesus.

“By far this was the most touching youth event I have ever been to in my 45 years of life,” said Father Pfeifer. “I went to many events as a teenager, a young man, a seminarian, and a priest. But nothing impacted me more than the speakers on the stage teaching about Jesus and giving testimony of what God was doing in their life. I have been to many events, but hands down this is the best event for our youth. Our students are fired up for the next NCYC and are making plans to get more students there!”

Father Pfeifer continued, “As a priest, it was amazing to see the 20,000 plus students from every state of the U.S. come together to see how blessed we really are, but also to see how broken our culture really is. We are not alone in North Dakota. We heard powerful witnesses on prayer, Scripture, forgiveness, and how to apply all areas to our spiritual lives. One of the most moving events was watching so many high school students flood to the altar on the night of adoration. You could sense the presence of God, but when God really entered into the football stadium everyone knew he was there, and he touched hearts. Another powerful experience was when the adults prayed over the students and then the students prayed over the adults! The presence of God was truly working through our youth.”

Sister Mary Ruth Huhn, Rugby, said, “having Bishop Folda with the group was very significant. When he spoke to all of us before he had to leave, he gave a powerful summary of what he heard from other speakers: ‘We all have an important role to play in the Body of Christ. We are not too young or old to contribute something meaningful and essential because we are each unique. God created us with the gifts and talents for the mission that is ours to undertake.’ Also, Pope Francis sending a video message to all attendees underlined the importance of this event and that sentiment was reinforced by his words as he urged all young people to go out to every person and bear witness to the tender mercy of Jesus.”

“‘Burn the ships’ is a line that comes to mind when I think of key messages from the weekend,” said Sister Huhn. “This was given to us right away in the opening session and reiterated by Pope Francis’ message and kept jumping out at me as I heard other speakers. This important call means to be all-in for Christ, not looking back and making excuses or doubting that we are good enough, or rationalizing that it doesn’t make sense. We are to step forward in faith, claim our dignity as children of God, and rely on the unconditional mercy of God as we boldly bear witness to the ever-present love of God in our lives.”

Jesus continually asks us to be a part of his life. Jesus does not give up on anyone! We need to continually ask our youth to be a part of Jesus’ life.