Stormy Blythe doesn’t look like the type of teenager who would stand up in front of strangers and reveal her thoughts about religion. The 18-year-old’s short cropped hair and penchant for plaid shirts are a little offbeat, and her sophisticated hipster style seems better suited to a rock concert than a church choir.
So why did this self-assured, cool high school senior want to profess her love for God, faith, and Catholicism to a roomful of peers? She credits Youth 2000 for adding spirituality to her life.
"I really didn’t want to come to my first Youth 2000 because I thought I had more important things to do," remembers the St. Stephen parishioner who attended the 2009 retreat with her youth group. "I wasn’t a very good Catholic. I didn’t know if I really believed in God."
The Weatherford teen was one of several speakers who talked about the transformative power of Youth 2000 at this year’s gathering held April 8-10 at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth.
Every April, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR) lead a retreat in Fort Worth that brings together Catholic youth and their chaperones for a weekend of fellowship, Eucharistic adoration, music, and the Rosary. The hours of prayer and personal reflection are focused around a monstrance and tiered platform of candles organizers call "the burning bush."
Blythe was seated around the makeshift altar two years ago when she experienced her epiphany during the Saturday evening Eucharistic procession. To help young people understand that they can "see" and "meet" Jesus in the Eucharist where He is present and close, a priest carries a monstrance with a consecrated host through the crowd of worshippers.
"The girl in front of me was weeping," Blythe explains, remembering how teens around her reached up to touch the humeral veil. "I was in awe because in my entire life, I had never felt close to an emotion like the one that girl was feeling. I wanted that feeling."
Mystified by what she saw, the teenager decided to study her Catholic faith and became more involved in parish life.
"Today, I consider the church my home," says Blythe, a youth group leader who cherishes two collections she keeps in her bedroom — a bookshelf filled with catechism and Catholic literature and Beatles memorabilia.
Visitors sometimes ask about the rosaries, scapular, and religious medals draped near her bed.
"A lot of people freak out because the kids I hang out with don’t realize I’m Catholic," she admits. "If I see an opening I’ll discuss my faith, but I don’t press it on anyone."
More than 1,100 teens and their chaperones attended the 2011 Youth 2000 retreat and celebrated Sunday Mass with Fort Worth Bishop Kevin Vann. Father Luke Fletcher, CFR, who gave the homily, advised the young audience to "plug into" the Mass the same way they focus on computers or music.
"We’re formed by a culture of noise. We’re used to eye candy and being entertained." he explained. "That’s why young people think coming to Mass is boring."
But liturgy isn’t about entertainment.
"Wondering what we can get out of it is the wrong way to think," Fr. Fletcher added. "You should think about what you can put into it. Bring the joys and sorrows of your week and unite the offering of your life to the offering of Christ crucified and risen."
Tinu Pulickal, a repeat participant in Youth 2000, believes the retreat and a devotion to the Divine Mercy Chaplet helped her recover from a serious dance injury that caused constant pain and depression. She was eventually diagnosed with a degenerative spinal disorder.
"In 2009, my mom and I started praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet before I went to school every morning," she said, giving her testimony. "I believe it helped me excel in school and gave me the hope and courage I needed to deal with my suffering."
The Keller High School sophomore has been relatively pain free for the past seven months. Sharing her story with other young people at this year’s retreat is important, she says.
"I want them to know that if you trust in God, He will help you," Tinu affirmed. "Anything is possible."
Copyright © 2011 by North Texas Catholic