Photos by Alan M. Dumoff
Bishop Joseph Galante celebrates Mass at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, N.J., during the statewide youth rally May 16.
The 16th annual New Jersey Catholic Youth Rally at Six Flags Great Adventure took place Sunday, May 16, in Jackson, N.J.
Some 600 youth and their young adult mentors from 26 parishes and schools in the Diocese of Camden enjoyed a sunny day of exciting rides, and fellowship with other Catholic youth from the state. The event included music from CatholicFX, a young adult worship rock band, and a liturgy for all youth celebrated by Camden Diocese Bishop Joseph A. Galante, and concelebrated by Father Walter Guasp Santos, parochial vicar, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Stratford.
Youth from the Camden Diocese served as ushers, lectors and Eucharistic Ministers during the Mass, and The Messenger, a music ministry group from Our Lady of Hope in Blackwood, led the congregation in praise and worship.
The Mass “truly showed us as witnesses to our faith by celebrating the highest form of prayer in a theme park,” remarked Francesca Rooney, a member of Our Lady of Peace, Williamstown’s youth group.
“Overall, I think this trip was a great way to show all of the youth dedicated to their Catholic faith that there are others out there that share their beliefs,” said Dan Palmieri, youth minister at Our Lady of Peace. “It was a great way to combine aspects of our faith, like Catholic unity and Mass, with the atmosphere of an exciting place like Great Adventure.”