As a young adult, this was my 4th experience of the conference. Every time I have been, it has helped me grow in my own faith and has helped increase my love for the young Catholic Church. This year was no exception as I came away invigorated through the passion I felt coming from other Catholics. We are blessed to have the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry who work tirelessly for our young people and youth leaders. The conference is a testament to the passion the NFCYM has for the young church.
This year we took the opportunity to serve others by helping prepare dry meals for CRS Helping Hands. These meals will be sent overseas to East Africa to help eliminate some of the hunger in the region. We made enough meals to feed 600 people in 45 minutes. Our youth also made a cape for a young patient at Peyton Manning's Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. This was just one of the creative ways our youth were able to serve the community and show their desire to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Every conference concludes with Mass. It isn't just a Mass, it's a Mass in Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, with 23,000 youth, chaperones, and religious. It is an amazing sight and wonderful expression of our Catholic faith. The diversity of the Church is seen and is experienced throughout the conference. You are exposed to the universality of the Church and its beauty throughout the Mass on the final night of the conference. The presence of Christ and the Holy Spirit is present and our young people are a large reason why. The closing Mass sends our youth back to their homes to be evangelists and to spread everything they witnessed and learned to their neighbors. It is something they will not forget for the rest of their lives.