Statewide youth rally combines faith with fun

“It’s good that you are here!”  

With her enthusiastic welcome, Megan Callahan, director, Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Diocese of Metuchen, greeted nearly 700 teens and youth ministers gathered in Showcase Arena at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, the morning of May 21, Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, for the New Jersey Catholic Youth Rally.

Each year hundreds of teens converge in the Ocean County theme park from the Dioceses of Trenton, Metuchen, Camden, Paterson and Archdiocese of Newark for a day of fun, fellowship and faith sharing. This year, the Diocese of Metuchen sent 260 young people, chaperones and family members, including youth ministry groups from 18 parishes, who joined the more than 1500 people who enjoyed the day.

The opening ceremony, hosted this year by the Diocese of Metuchen, included music, games and prayer led by Break Ministry, an organization that offers youth and young adult ministry consulting, a nightly online prayer group, and support to Catholic parishes around the state.

Ramil Caragay and Jasmine Alfaro from Break Ministry, served as the morning’s emcees and connected the excitement of the day at Six Flags with the excitement of living a life of faith. 

Alfaro shared a quote from St. Augustine of Hippo, “To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.”

She encouraged the youth to “gain a new perspective today, make new friends and fall more in love with God.”

After the opening ceremony it was time to hit the rides and the teens wasted no time heading into the park.  

Father Michael Tabernero, director of Catholic identity, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, shared his thoughts on the day’s opening activities and what he hoped his students would experience at the Rally. 

“I thought it was great– there was a lot of energy. It was so nice to see so many kids there. There was a lot of excitement and it was great to listen to Break Ministry and hear their stories of faith. I hope the kids have a lot of fun. … We’re looking forward to sharing Mass at the end of the day together.”

After a full day of thrill rides, games of chance and funnel cakes, almost a thousand members of the young Church gathered in the Batman Stunt Arena for Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael A. Saporito, D.D., from the Archdiocese of Newark.

“It’s a beautiful day to praise our Lord, Jesus Christ!” he said and received a thunderous response from the crowd.

He was joined by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney from the Diocese of Paterson and priests from around the state.  

In his homily, Bishop Saporito reflected on the Ascension and how the followers of Jesus, overjoyed at the Resurrection, had to come to the realization that Jesus was going to be leaving them again. 

“He had chosen them for a great mission- to go and make disciples of all the nations. He was about to hand his mission over to these imperfect people who knew him and loved him greatly and he was relying on that love and the gifts of the Holy Spirit to set their hearts on fire so they could bring the message of Jesus throughout the whole world. 

“We can’t look up at the sky and say, ‘Hey Lord when is your next miracle?’ I’m looking at his next miracle it’s all of us altogether.  Take the opportunity to shine your light– your brightness within and be a messenger for Christ every day in your lives.”

In addition to riding the rollercoasters (with the world’s tallest rollercoaster Kingda Ka being a favorite among those polled) the opportunity to gather together in prayer was the highlight of the day for many of the youth.

This was the first time Ella Froslear, 12, from St. Pius X, Forked River, attended the New Jersey Catholic Rally and hopes to attend again in the future.

“I liked all the music and the songs. If you really want to have fun and praise God, today is the day for you.”

Jimmy Higgins, a current high school sophomore and part of youth ministry in St. Joseph’s Parish, Millstone, shared, “My favorite part of the Catholic Rally at Great Adventure was going to mass with the other youth groups. The music was amazing, the bishop’s homily was motivating, and the overall experience was enjoyable.”

— Rose O’Connor, Diocese of Trenton Digital and Social Media Manager