Annual Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC) April 1-3

Amarillo—God’s Merciful Love is the theme of the annual Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC), aka, Youth Rally, set for Friday, April 1 through Sunday, April 3 in the North Exhibit Hall of the Amarillo Civic Center at 401 South Buchanan.

The rally is open to all diocesan youth 12 and older in the seventh through twelfth grade, according to Oscar Guzman, Diocesan Youth Director.

“It’s time for our youth throughout the Diocese of Amarillo to come together and celebrate Jesus Christ as the young church,” he said. “Get ready for an awesome time with God in fellowship with other youth, music, motivational keynote presentations, workshops, Mass with Bishop Patrick J. Zurek, a powerful period of Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration, wrapping up with an afternoon at Wonderland Park.”

Registration for the Conference begins at noon on April 1, with the first activity, Knocker Ball and board games, beginning at 5:00pm. At 7:30, participants will gather for prayer, praise and worship, which will focus on vocations. A number of diocesan priests are scheduled to present their vocation testimonies.

The first keynote presentation will take place at 8:35, with Jacob DeRusha discussing the great mystery of God’s mercy by contemplating the face of Christ.

That will be followed by Praise and Worship, led by Catholic musician Lee Roessler before DeRosa closes the opening night of the Conference with prayer at 10:45.

An international hip-hop artist, DeRusha has been making music for over nine years. He found a passion for youth music ministry after playing a show at a church in London. The 21-year-old DeRusha is a senior Music Industry Major at Loyola University in New Orleans. His hope is that through hip-hop music he can give a different perspective to the Catholic youth of today.

Activities on April 2 begin with registration at 8:30am, followed by prayer, praise and worship at 9:15. The second keynote address will be given by Catholic musician Andrea Thomas at 10:50, who will speak on never giving up, because God’s love and mercy is always there and by his grace you have been saved, based on Ephesians 2:4-5.

The DCYC marks the second time Thomas has appeared in the Diocese of Amarillo, having performed in concert at St. Hyacinth Church, Amarillo, in August 2014. A native of Cincinnati, she debuted with multi-platinum, country music megastar, Collin Raye in 2011 on his first inspirational album, His Love Remains. Several months later, Thomas released her first album, Crying Out to You, and released her second album, Will You Go, in 2015.

Lunch will be served at noon, followed by workshops at 1:40 and 2:35. At 4:00, Bishop Patrick J. Zurek will celebrate Mass, followed by praise and workshop, led by Lee Roessler. Dinner will be served at 6:00, followed by the third keynote address by Rich Curran, based on Ephesians 2:10.

A national speaker who has been helping teenagers and adults find meaning and purpose in their lives for 15 years, Curran’s passion and enthusiasm for living life fully is highly contagious and his humor, stories and specific action steps leave audiences ready to make a difference. He lives in Appleton, Wisc., with his wife and their two sons.

After Curran’s keynote presentation, Father Roy Kafula, parochial vicar at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Pampa, will provide an explanation of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a celebration of Faith, Hope and Charity at 10:00.

April 3 begins with Morning Mass at an Amarillo parish, followed by lunch and an afternoon at Wonderland Park, weather permitting, from 1:00 to 6:00.

For additional information on the 2016 DCYC, please call Oscar Guzman at 383-2243, ext. 118 or go online to www.amarillodiocese.org/youth.