June 13 Date For Sixth-Eighth Grade Youth Rally

Amarillo—All sixth to eighth grade students in the Diocese of Amarillo are invited to take part in the annual Diocesan Youth Rally Saturday, June 13 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 4100 South Coulter.

The theme of this year’s Rally is No Longer I: Nail It, based on Galatians 2:20, according to Diocesan Youth Director Oscar Guzman.

Registration will begin at 9:00am, with Praise and Worship kicking off the Rally at 10:00am.

The Rally will feature keynote addresses from Father Scott L. Raef, rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Amarillo; Jeremy Hinojosa; and, Catholic musician Mathias Michael.

Bishop Patrick J. Zurek will celebrate Mass with the youths and The Holy Ensemble will provide music.

Ordained to the priesthood on July 23, 1994 at St. Joseph’s Church, Amarillo, Father Raef has been rector at St. Mary’s Cathedral since Oct. 1, 2013. Prior to that assignment, he was interim pastor for 13 months at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Amarillo.

Father Raef has also served at parishes in Dalhart, Texline, Spearman, Gruver, Pampa, Tulia and Kress. He also served as Diocesan Director of Youth Ministries and as Director of the Catholic Student Center at West Texas A&M University, Canyon. Since Nov. 24, 2008, Father Raef has served as Diocesan Vocations Director.

Hinojosa is Youth Director at Blessed Sacrament Church, Amarillo. A native of Plainview, he also currently serves as Associate Director of Covenant Teen. He is currently attending Amarillo College, where he is working toward an Associates Degree in Business. After graduation from Amarillo College, he plans to further his education with a degree in Theology.

Mathias Michael will be making his second appearance in the Diocese of Amarillo in just over six months. Michael performed at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Dec. 9, 2014, as part of the Texas Gets Talent tour, which spotlighted the winners and finalists of the National Catholic Youth Conference’s Top Talent. Michael was the winner of the 2011 Top Talent Competition. He recently released a new single, Song of Grace, as an independent artist.
In addition to Mass, keynote presentations, Praise and Worship and Mega Workshops, the day will also include Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

On Sunday, June 14, youth are encouraged to attend Mass at an Amarillo parish and take care of any meal needs before meeting at noon for an afternoon at Splash Kingdom Water Park at 1415 Sunrise Drive, until 6:00pm.

For additional information about the Youth Rally, please contact Oscar Guzman, diocesan Youth Director, at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 383-2243, ext. 118.