By Rose O’Connor
Correspondent
Felix Corti IV may have been a first-time participant of the New Jersey Catholic Youth Rally, but he is already looking forward to encouraging others to join him next year.
“This day combines two of my favorite things of all time – Six Flags and Catholic Mass. It’s great to have kids out here and expose them to good values,” said Corti of Incarnation Parish, Mantua, one of roughly 1,500 teens, youth ministers and families to attend the annual event May 15 at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson.
Photo Gallery: New Jersey Catholic Youth Rally
Back after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event brought together the young Church of New Jersey. Hosted this year by the Diocese of Camden, those from the Dioceses of Trenton, Metuchen, Paterson and Archdiocese of Newark gathered for a day of fun, food and faith.
“Even if you don’t like rollercoasters or rides, it’s so worth it to come to the youth rally. The whole experience of coming to the Mass and seeing all of the other youth in the area worshipping together … it’s amazing,” said Gianna Gonsalves of Saint Katharine Drexel Parish, Egg Harbor Township, who served as a lector during Mass.
The Mass, which concluded the day, was organized by the Camden Diocese’s Office of Family and Youth Ministry. A focal point of the event, it was celebrated in the park’s Batman Stunt Arena.
In his homily, Father Thomas Newton, pastor of Saint Damien Parish, Ocean City, reflected on the Gospel of John in which Jesus gave his followers a new commandment: “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.”
“I encourage each of you gathered here today to take some time to see. Not just with your eyes, but to see with your heart. To see people who are sick, suffering, hurting, hungry, abandoned and lonely,” Father Newton preached. “In the Gospel today, Jesus gives us a new commandment – love one another. If we are to love as Jesus loved, perhaps we are to start seeing people as Jesus sees people. Jesus saw people’s sinfulness, he saw their flaws, he saw their failings, but he also saw them as children of God. He looked beyond their faults into their hearts.”
Father Newton, who was the main celebrant as Bishop Dennis Sullivan attended First Masses for the five newly ordained priests of the Diocese, was joined by concelebrating priests from Trenton, Paterson and Newark.
José Rodriguez, the Camden Diocese’s Office of Family and Youth Ministry director, said he was pleased to see so many young people participate in the youth rally. “This day went really well, and our young people are energized. [This event] really recharges them.”
Indeed, the day began with rousing live music as the Diocese of Trenton sponsored opening ceremonies and prayer. At the morning gathering, youth were encouraged to become saints in the making.
“Lord, make them bold today – bold in their faith. Let everyone in this park look at you and recognize the face of Jesus,” Jeff Siedlecki, youth ministry coordinator in Holy Eucharist Parish, Tabernacle, prayed before streamer cannons sent strips of colored paper billowing throughout the air.
“The energy was great. It was fun to participate,” Michael Lewanduski from Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood, shared moments before he and his brother, James Lawrence, headed into the park.
Rose O’Connor is digital and social media manager for The Monitor Magazine, Diocese of Trenton.
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