Annual DCYC April 21-23

Amarillo—“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” from Philippians 4:13, is the theme of the annual Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC), aka Youth Rally 2017. This year’s conference will take place Friday, April 21 to Sunday, April 23 in the North Exhibit Hall of the Amarillo Civic Center at 401 South Buchanan.
 
Registration continues for the conference, at $35 per person, or $45 at the door. The conference is open to all youths in grades 7-12, according to Diocesan Youth Director Oscar Guzman.
 
The doors for the conference open at noon on April 21, with activities beginning at 6:00pm. Opening evening activities include a dance with music provided by DJ Internationals and various games to kickoff the conference.
 
The evening will also include Praise and Worship, provided by Jon Dooley and the St. Vincent de Paul Praise Band, a video on the Litany of the Saints and the first keynote address of the conference, given by Disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ Sister Mary Gianna Thornby. The evening will conclude with additional Praise and Worship and small groups time.
 
April 22 begins with registration at 8:00am, followed by Praise and Worship and Daily Mass at 10:00, celebrated by Father Gabriel Garcia, parochial administrator at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Dumas, and Vocations Director for the Diocese of Amarillo.
 
The Mass will be followed by a testimony on endurance and commitment, given by Anthony Chavez, followed by the conference’s second keynote address, presented by international recording artist Amanda Vernon.
 
After a 12:30pm lunch served by the Big Texan Steak Ranch and a period of Praise and Worship, conference attendees will attend two conferences, followed by a Guys and Girls Workshop.
 
After a 5:30 dinner served by Rosa’s, Arleen Silva will present a testimony on hope, followed by the conference’s third keynote address by musician Bob Lesnefsky. The address will be followed by a video presentation on World Youth Day 2019 in Panama, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and a musical celebration.
 
The final day of the conference begins at 9:00am, with Praise and Workshop, followed by a testimony on courage. The testimony on courage will be followed by the final keynote speech of the conference, given by best-selling Catholic author and international speaker Ruben Quezada.
 
At 11:00, Bishop Patrick J. Zurek will celebrate Mass for the conference attendees. After lunch, conference attendees will be on their own for lunch, followed at 1:00pm with an afternoon at Wonderland Park to wrap up the conference, weather permitting.
 
For additional information on the annual DCYC, please go to the diocesan website at www.amarillodiocese.org/youth; check out on diocesan social media; contact your parish youth minister; or call the Diocesan Youth Office at 383-2243, ext. 118.