Tag: Christianity

Toronto, October 30, 2024

L to R: Abp. Gabriel, Met. Nicholas, Bp. Mitrophan (Serbian)     

The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia’s Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toronto festively celebrated its 75th anniversary over the weekend.

The celebration was blessed with the presence of two wonderworking icons and three bishops from two jurisdictions.

    

Prior to the All-Night Vigil on October 26, the clergy and faithful greeted the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon—the patron of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad—and the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, ROCOR reports.

The services were led by the First Hierarch of ROCOR, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas. Watch the All-Night Vigil:

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On Sunday, October 27, he was joined in the Divine Liturgy by His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada and His Grace Bishop Mitrophan of Canada of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Watch the Divine Liturgy:

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The celebration also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the rector Archpriest Vladimir Malchenko’s ordination to the priesthood.

Following the Liturgy, a festive reception was held in honor of both anniversaries.

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Moscow, October 30, 2024

Photo: foma.ru     

An Orthodox pro-life charity run was held in Moscow’s Novogireevo District on Saturday, October 19.

This was the 10th run organized by the charitable foundation of the Church of St. Vladimir in Novogireevo and the Women for Life foundation, in support of mothers with small children and pregnant women in difficult situations. The church holds such runs twice a year.

This time, 168 people aged 6 and up decided to help preserve pre-birth life and participated in the event, making a donation in order to enter the race, reports Foma.

Photo: foma.ru   

There were several courses, ranging in distance from 0.6 to 6.2 miles.

The event was opened by the rector of St. Vladimir’s Church, Archpriest Alexei Batanogov, and the founder and head of Women for Life, Natalia Moskvitina.

The festive day also included a concert, an autumn fair, a game room with board games, crafts, and various toys from children of the St. Vladimir family club, and more.

The runners were provided with oatmeal, hot tea, and pancakes with jam. All winners received medals and cups.

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Galați County, Romania, October 30, 2024

Photo: basilica.ro     

The Lower Danube Archdiocese of the Romanian Orthodox Church is running multiple aid programs for disaster-affected families in Galați County.

As winter approaches, the diocese is providing approximately 106,000 cubic feet of firewood and 500 stoves for heating homes, reports the Basilica News Agency.

So far, with the help of other dioceses, the Archdiocese has managed to deliver 60,000 cubic feet of firewood and 100 stove sfor heating the homes of families affected by the flooding in Galați County in mid-September.

Photo: edj.ro     

Besides this assistance, the Archdiocese is also running other programs providing specific aid based on the needs of affected families.

Approximately 7,000 families were affected by the September floods.

People who wish to help the disaster victims can donate to the Lower Danube Archdiocese’s account:

IBAN Account: RO33RNCB0141032864090007
Account Holder: Lower Danube Archdiocese (Arhiepiscopia Dunării de Jos)

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Perm, Perm Krai, Russia, October 30, 2024

Photo: sokryt.ru     

The holy relics of Hieromartyr Peter Vyatkin were solemnly transferred to a convent in Perm over the weekend.

On Saturday, October 26, the relics were carried into the Convent of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Perm during the All-Night Vigil. They were placed in the Church of the Apostle John the Theologian, reports Hidden Rus’.

Edinoverie Old Believers: Yesterday, Today, TomorrowThe Edinoverie allows you to truly, as a in monastery, break away from worldly vanity, immerse yourself in a prayerful condition, look at the Orthodox faith through the prism of greater strictness with yourself, and pull yourself up to a personal spiritual height.

“>Edinoverie refers to those churches that celebrate according to the pre-Nikonian rite but are under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate, unlike the Old Believers who remain separate from the Church.

On Sunday, October 27, His Eminence Metropolitan Methodiy of Perm led the festive Divine service. A new carved reliquary, built with the donations of the faithful, was prepared for the relics of St. Peter, which were unearthed in the Perm village of Sretenskoye on October 16, 2023.

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New vestments for the relics were provided by the Kurovskoye Edinoverie community.

St. Peter is the only Edinoverie saint to have his relics glorified in the Russian Church.

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Photo: sokryt.ru     

Hieromartyr Peter Vyatkin was a superior of the Edinoverie churches of the Perm diocese. In 1912, he was one of the delegates to the first All-Russian Congress of Edinovertsy in St. Petersburg and served as a rector of the Edinoverie church in the village of Sretenskoye, Perm Krai. In 1918 in the village of Sretenskoye, St. Peter was brutally tortured by the god-fighters.

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Every few months I have a little chuckle while drinking my morning coffee and reading my devotional. It happens on the feast days dedicated to a martyr and his or her companions.

To be clear, I do not think martyrdom is funny. It’s that God has found a way to remind me every so often in the liturgical calendar of the change he’s rendered in my heart. 

There are quite a few times throughout the year that we remember these cohorts: St. Paul Miki and companions (Feb. 6); St. Charles Lwanga and companions (June 3); St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, St. Paul Chông Hasang and companions (Sept. 20); and St. Ursula and companions (Oct. 21), to name but a few. 

“Those poor people,” I used to think. “All of them martyrs but only one or two remembered by name. To die that kind of death, but the one next to you gets the recognition …” 

And were they memorable deaths: the Japanese missionaries with Miki were crucified with their heads fastened upright; Lwanga and his companions were burned alive; the Korean martyrs were tortured and beheaded; and Ursula and the 11,000 virgin martyrs were ambushed by soldiers in Cologne, Germany, after returning from a pilgrimage to Rome. 

To be unnamed and unknown used to feel unjust, a slight this side of eternity.

That’s because having my name known was something that once mattered to me. 

I started my professional life as a teacher in Washington, D.C. In a city filled with individuals hungry for political influence and cultural sway, I was a nobody. “What do you do?” people would ask me at cocktail parties. When I answered, they quickly moved on to someone else. 

But when I made a career change and suddenly had access to journalists, producers, and individuals chairing important boards, people started remembering my name. My invitations to conferences and galas piled up. I had an easier time getting published, and people in positions of influence began calling me for advice. It was exciting, and as that circle broadened, having my name known grew more addictive. 

This temptation is not limited to those living inside the Beltway, nor is it unique to our own time. Even James and John wanted to sit at Jesus’ right and left in his glory. 

But it is an attitude we’re conditioning people to have today, starting with kids. 

Social media is designed to induce dopamine highs from likes and shares. College students are taught how to “brand” themselves for the job market. Individuals post every professional accomplishment and accolade on LinkedIn. We’re all supposed to generate a “vibe” for our friends and followers. 

We’re all mini-celebrities in our own minds.

My “D.C. detox” took a few years. There wasn’t a big moment that changed my mindset — the realities imposed by my vocation slowly shifted my attitude. 

Getting married was a start — I literally took a new last name (and given its Ukrainian-Polish origin, most people can’t pronounce it). 

More importantly, I was deeply known by one man, which is incomparably more fulfilling than being superficially known by others. 

Moving to a new city where my husband was pursuing graduate studies ushered in a new professional chapter. That came with novel opportunities — many for humility. I found that folks in Boston didn’t care much for Washington, D.C. And since I didn’t have any historical ties to an Irish Catholic parish, nor did I attend one of the city’s many universities, I was only as interesting or valuable as my most recent assignment. 

This is not to mention having three sons in four years. I don’t know if any of them even know my first name. 

This is why I laugh at the liturgical calendar. My vocation is now literally to be a nameless companion. It is to travel alongside the four men in my life as they work on becoming saints and to do what I can to help them. 

To the world, this is insane. And to the 2010 version of me, it would be a bit of a head-scratcher, too. Trading kitten heels for kitchen gloves and running kids to sports instead of running meetings appears like a raw deal. But it’s actually been a mercy. 

Most of what I do now is hidden from view, even from the men in my family. But one person knows. And he knows the names of all the saints’ companions. And now that is enough.

Cherkasy, Cherkasy Province, Ukraine, October 28, 2024

Photo: spzh.live     

The Cherkasy Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and its ruling hierarch, His Eminence Metropolitan Theodosy, have received a number of statements of condolences and support after Cherkasy’s Archangel Michael Cathedral was violently seized by anti-Orthodox bandits of the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”

The OCU enjoys the support of Patriarch Bartholomew, who created it in 2018. Since then there have been many such attacks on Orthodox hierarchs, clergy, and faithful, but the incident in Cherkasy on Metropolitan Theodosy diagnosed with burns and concussion after violent seizure of Cherkasy cathedral (+VIDEO)Metropolitan Theodosy of Cherkasy and Kanev was severely injured. During the attack, he was beaten, his klobuk was torn off, and his bishop’s staff was snatched away and used to strike believers.

“>October 17 has been perhaps the most violent, with OCU representatives shooting gas pistols and spraying tear gas.

Met. Theodosy himself was injured and required medical treatment.

Since then, hierarchs and clergy gatherings from other Local Churches have expressed support for the persecuted Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Met. Theodosy.

In his statement, His Eminence Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church describes the violent scene in more detail:

With great sorrow, we learned of the great tragedy that has befallen your Orthodox city of Cherkasy—the violent seizure of the UOC Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, which occurred in two stages, following a call from the city mayor. On October 17th, around 3 AM, approximately 100 people in camouflage uniforms and masks stormed the church where Orthodox Christians had gathered and the Divine Liturgy was being served. The faithful, led by you, their hierarch, managed to prevent the seizure of the church, but on the morning of the same day, the attack was repeated, with the attackers this time using not only physical force but also tear gas. We also learned that you personally suffered during the attack, having been struck on the head and targeted with tear gas. As a result, you lost consciousness and had to be hospitalized. Many faithful were also injured, including an elderly monk who was severely beaten. The police were called but did nothing to protect the faithful in the church from the aggressive violent actions of the attackers. Here we recall the words of St. Paul about what true just authority should be: For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil (Rom. 13:3-4).

Your Eminence, in our diocese since 2022, during the Divine Liturgy in churches and monasteries, we have been praying for peace in brotherly Ukraine. We also pray for the brotherly Ukrainian Orthodox Church that the Lord may protect it from violence and give it the opportunity to pray in its churches and monasteries as before for its Orthodox homeland and people and for the whole world.

We ask for your holy archpastoral prayers.

His Eminence Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro of the Serbian Orthodox Church writes:

With great pain and compassion, I received news about the forcible seizure by raiders of the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael in Cherkasy. Ukrainian schismatics have repeatedly, but this time especially vividly and clearly, shown to the whole world through violence and hatred with which they attacked this holy place, demonstrated to the whole world that these are people who do not possess basic concepts of the Christian faith and are not its bearers, if they are ready to commit such a crime and deprive their brethren of their house of prayer.

In such a difficult situation, you, dear Vladyka, together with the clergy and flock, have shown to the whole world an example of genuine sacrifice and readiness to stand up for freedom of faith and conscience in a Christian way. In this difficult time for you, I assure you of brotherly support and constant prayer for you, your clergy, and your pious flock. We believe and pray that the Lord will hear your prayers and that soon you will again be celebrating the Divine Eucharist in your Cathedral.

And the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia’s Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America write in the resolution from their 2024 retreat:

We express our condolences to Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy on the violent seizure of his cathedral, and lament the ongoing confiscation of other holy places that are under the omophorion of Metropolitan Onouphry. We urge the faithful to pray for all Orthodox Christians enduring war and persecutions throughout the world.

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Kiev, October 28, 2024

Photo: YouTube     

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Annunciation Cathedral in Kiev on Sunday.

During the service, the Ukrainian primate, concelebrated by a host of UOC hierarchs, consecrated Archimandrite Anastasy (Bednikov) to the episcopacy to serve as a vicar bishop in the Odessa Diocese. He was elected by the Holy Synod on October 23, reports the UOC’s Information-Education Department.

Following the reading of the Gospel, His Beatitude offered a homily on the Lord’s Parable of the Sower in which he spoke about how the Word of God influences human life.

“The Word of God is spiritual food for people. The Lord said that man shall not live by bread alone,” Met. Onuphry said “When a man lives by the Word of God, this Word bears fruits which the grace of the Holy Spirit gives to him.”

As the Metropolitan noted, a man must patiently overcome all temptations through which “spiritual thieves” try to suppress this Word of God in him.

The newly consecrated Bp. Anastasy of Ovidiopol. Photo: uoc-news.church     

“Those who keep this Word within themselves endure discomfort. Such patience, which the Lord speaks about, is that good fruit which a man has and should bring to God,” he noted.

The Ukrainian primate explained that most people today are like those described in the Lord’s parable, where the Word of God falls among thorns.

“We accept the Word of God, but worldly vanity and life’s worries suppress it. A man says: ‘I’ll pray later. For now I’m going to go there, I’m going to do this,’ and thus postpones everything for later. Of course, we live in this world and every man has obligations towards family, neighbors, and himself. But all these matters should be dissolved in prayer,” said His Beatitude.

He noted that prayer is the word of God that is placed in a man’s soul, with which they address their Creator.

“Prayer fills a man with the content needed to bear good fruits. It’s also very beneficial to read the Holy Gospel—this is also the Word of God. We need to keep these words within ourselves. We mustn’t allow spiritual thieves to take them away, but keep them in our memory and live by these words and sacred laws,” said His Beatitude.

He also preached about Venerable Nicholas Sviatosha Prince of Chernigov, and Wonderworker of the Kiev Near CavesNicholas was the Prince of Lutsk, and he had a wife and children. On February 17, 1106 the holy prince, left his family and was tonsured at the Kiev Caves monastery.

“>St. Nikolai Sviatosha, Prince of Chernigov and Wonderworker of the Kiev Caves, who was celebrated yesterday:

Today, dear brothers and sisters, is the commemoration of St. Nikolai Sviatosha, the patron of Kiev and especially of this district, which is also called Sviatoshynskyi. And we pray to St. Nikolai to ask God for us, that the Lord might help us live our lives worthily, that we might be filled with God’s Word and that we might live by this word, as he did, as he lived his life. He left his principality for the sake of God’s Word, to live according to God’s Word. And he became so well-known that princes and great rulers were forgotten, but people remember him—because the righteous are always alive in God, and the Lord loves the righteous.

May the Lord, through the prayers of St. Nikolai Sviatosha, help us all to lead our earthly lives worthily, so that in eternity we may be heirs of that blessed eternal Life in Heaven, which the Lord has prepared for us in Christ Jesus our Lord, to Whom be glory, honor and worship now and forever.

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Bucharest, October 28, 2024

Photo: podul.ro     

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has announced its intentions to move ahead with its “Romanian Orthodox Church in Ukraine” project despite legal setbacks.

The structure was initially established by Synodal decision on Romanian Synod establishes “Romanian Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” Ukrainian hierarch respondsA number of important decisions were made during the session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held in Bucharest on February 29.

“>February 29, but Ukrainian authorities will not register “Romanian Orthodox Church of Ukraine”At its session on February 29, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church made the controversial decision to establish its own structure in Ukraine.”>in August it was reported that the Ukrainian State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience refuses to legally register the structure, because the state backs the so-called “Orthodox Church in Ukraine,” which is recognized by schismatic by the majority of the Orthodox world.

At its session on October 25, according to the Basilica News Agency, the Romanian Synod stated its disappointment at the decision and also its intention to move ahead:

With regret, the Synod acknowledged the unjustified postponement by Ukrainian authorities of legal recognition for the “Romanian Orthodox Church in Ukraine” religious association despite its compliance with all applicable Ukrainian laws. The Synod approved continued efforts with central authorities in Romania and Ukraine to resolve this legitimate request.

There are well over 100 Romanian-language and tradition parishes in western Ukraine. Call to urgently transfer Romanian parishes in western Ukraine to Romanian Church after authorities seize memorial chapelThe National Council of Romanians in Ukraine requests urgency in the process of transferring Romanian Orthodox communities in Ukraine under the care of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

“>In late August, Ukrainian authorities seized one of these Romanian churches for the first time, which greatly exacerbated the situation and led to increasing calls from Romanian organizations for the Romanian parishes to be transferred to the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

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At its session on Romanian Synod establishes “Romanian Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” Ukrainian hierarch respondsA number of important decisions were made during the session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held in Bucharest on February 29.

“>February 29, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church made the controversial decision to establish its own structure in Ukraine. The bishops have been concerned about the fate of the more than 100 ethnically Romanian parishes in western Ukraine for several years now, amidst the growing ecclesiastical schism that picked up steam in 2018-2019 with the creation of the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine”, and now the war in Ukraine with the accompanying state persecution of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

This decision was rejected by both the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which Ukrainian Church calls on Romanian Church to reconsider opening its own structure in UkraineOn February 29, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Church announced the creation of its structure in Ukraine, saying it encourages the more than 100 churches of Romanian ethnicity in Ukraine to join the new structure in order to “restore communion with the Mother Church, the Romanian Patriarchate.”

“>called on the Romanian Synod to reconsider, and the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” which also claims to have jurisdiction in Ukraine.

The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience has also refused to legally register the Romanian structure. Responding to a question from the Romanian outlet podul.ro, the Service said that acknowledging the “Romanian Orthodox Church of Ukraine” would violate Orthodox ecclesiology (though the state sponsored the creation of the parallel, schismatic OCU jurisdiction).

Instead, the authorities propose to create a special Romanian structure within the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” just as there is a Ukrainian structure within the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Ukrainian schismatics to create Romanian Vicariate without a single Romanian parishThe Romanian Synod stated in February that its evaluation of the Ukrainian issue largely depends upon the fate of the Romanian faithful in Bukovina who are concerned about preserving their ethnic and linguistic identity.

“>In July 2019, the Synod of Bishops of the schismatic OCU announced its intention to create a Romanian vicariate, hoping it would persuade the Romanian Church to recognize them, but the Romanian faithful living in Ukraine showed no interested.

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Veliky Novgorod, Novgorod Province, Russia, October 29, 2024

Photo: prilukicerkov.by   

The relics of a 13th-century princess-saint were discovered during the restoration of a church in Veliky Novgorod, 330 miles northwest of Moscow.

It was known that the relics of St. Charitina of Lithuania were buried at the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul on Sinichya Hill but researchers weren’t certain exactly where. But during restoration work at the 12th-century church, her relics were found and identified, His Eminence Metropolitan Leo of Novgorod announced at a recent service, reports the Government of the Novgorod Province.

“We spent a long time searching for the saint’s relics. Archaeologists initially made some mistakes, beginning excavations in one place on the south side, while historically there was information that she was reburied on the northwest side of the church. She was buried in a log coffin, which had decomposed. The veil that covered her was embroidered with gold and silver threads. This was determined from the remains, threads found in the area of the frontal bone. She was an abbess of the monastery, and monastics’ faces are covered during burial,” the Metropolitan explained.

Photo: novreg.ru     

The church, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was in severe disrepair until its transfer to Novgorod Museum-Reserve management in 2019. Restoration finally began in 2024 with support from the Museum Board and local and federal authorities. The project has already completed significant renovations including foundation reinforcement, facade restoration, roof work, and electrical installations.

Sts. Peter and Paul Church on Sinichya Hill is one of the few surviving monuments of pre-Mongol Novgorod architecture. Its unique construction technique is linked by researchers to the tradition of Polotsk masters. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with other Novgorod churches, in 1992.

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St. Charitina, Princess of LithuaniaRejected by the world, she sought nothing more from it and dedicated her entire life to serving the Lord.

“>St. Philaret of Chernigov writes about St. Charitina:

According to historical records, St. Charitina was a Lithuanian princess by birth and labored in asceticism in the Sts. Peter and Paul Convent for women on Sinichya Hill in Novgorod.

The time of her ascetic deeds is vaguely indicated in the records, so it must be determined through conjecture. However, this time may reveal something distinctive about the spiritual life of the princess. It is known that the stone church of the monastery, where the relics of the saint rest, was built in 1192.

If the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul already existed when Blessed Charitina began to live in Novgorod, then her time in Novgorod should be attributed to the 13th century. It is also known that the second half of the 13th century was a turbulent and bloody time for Lithuania. In 1265, many members of the Lithuanian princely family fled Lithuania to Russia: Blessed Dovmont (Timothy) the Prince of PskovThe Holy Prince Dovmont (Domant) of Pskov, prince of Nalshinaisk (Nalshensk), was a native of Lithuania, and at first he was a pagan.

“>Prince Dovmont to Pskov, and the son of Prince Tautvilas with his court fled from Polotsk to Novgorod.

According to the chronicles, the Novgorodians at that time wanted to kill the Lithuanians who had fled to them because of Lithuania’s previous offenses against Novgorod, but Prince Yaroslav did not allow this to happen. Thus, it becomes clear that Princess Charitina of Lithuania was among those persecuted by the turmoil of the time, apart from her personal affairs. [One version of her Life says that she was to be wed to the brother of St. Alexander NevskyPrince Alexander knows that Orthodoxy is the truth, and the priceless pearl, for which everything must be sacrificed.

“>St. Alexander Nevsky, Prince Feodor Yaroslavovich, but the young prince died suddenly under mysterious circumstances.—OC.]

Rejected by the world, she sought nothing more from it and dedicated her entire life to serving the Lord. Having taken monastic vows, she was made the abbess of the monastery for her virtuous life and remained a model of humility, purity, and strict abstinence for those under her care until her death. Thus, Christian virtue does not need earthly happiness to flourish; it grows even stronger through misfortune and raises its devout follower from earth to Heaven.

According to records, Princess Charitina reposed on October 5 in either the 6000th or 7000th year (by ancient reckoning—from the creation of the world). Converting this indefinite time to a more specific date, based on chronicles, we believe that the holy princess and abbess completed her spiritual labors on October 5, 6790 (or 1281).

Since 1764, the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, where her relics rest underground, has been a cemetery church on the St. Sophia Cathedral side of Novgorod. Her memory is celebrated on October 5/18.

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For Natalie Ibarra, the theme of this year’s National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) — “El Camino / The Way” — is the best theme featured in her three years as communications manager for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.

“I think, every year, we always have a great theme, and I always say, ‘This is the best theme,’ and then, next year, it goes even better,” she told OSV News.

“I am just really looking forward to seeing the theme fully engrained in all that we are doing in this conference,” Ibarra said, reflecting that “El Camino / The Way” alludes to life as a journey, a pilgrimage, and, as pilgrims of Christ here on Earth. “How are we walking and accompanying other people: our peers; (and) for us adults, our colleagues, our families?”

This year, the three-day event, geared toward teenagers of high school age and their chaperones, will be held Nov. 14-16 at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center in Long Beach, California. After the 2022 NCYC, this is only the second time a West Coast location has been selected for the conference since the 1980s — a strategic decision, Ibarra explained, as a study showed that “Long Beach … was fairly central and then also economical.”

During recent years, the NCYC, which traces its origins to a 1983 regional conference, has seen the mighty Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis become a venue where boisterous teens pray, participate in speaker sessions, and enjoy music and fellowship. However, “a big reason why we decided to have an NCYC on the West Coast was (because), a lot of times, it’s really hard for the West Coast — and even for people from Hawaii or Alaska — to come all the way across to Indianapolis,” Ibarra said.

“By creating this space, we can allow others, who may not have had the opportunity to go cross-country, to then come to Long Beach,” she said.

Pat Clasby, director of confirmation and youth ministry at St. Patrick Church in Carlsbad, California, and co-chair of the general session programming of this year’s NCYC, had been attending the conference since 2005, but it was NCYC 2022 that got him involved with the organizing team.

“I had a great experience for that conference, and so I was willing to come back and help out for the 2024 one,” Clasby said, adding, “It’s an amazing process, an amazing group of people who give a lot of their time and energy to make something like this happen.”

The emcees for this year, speakers Rhyan Ramirez (known as Bro Rhy) and Maggie Craig, will engage the young audience from the get-go, setting a lively, energetic tone and pace for the event, which is slated to begin the evening of Nov. 14.

“Students have an opportunity to go to the interactive exhibit hall, the chapel, all before the first general session even happens,” Ibarra said.

With over 20 youth breakout sessions — which titles include “Higher, Further, Faster: Elevating Our Pro-Life Activism”; “But What if I Get It Wrong? How to Discern Your Vocation with Confidence”; and “Befriending and Welcoming Our LGBTQ Catholic Siblings,” to name a few — Friday, Nov. 15, and Saturday, Nov. 16, will be full days, which begin and end with general sessions. Adults will also have about seven break-out sessions to choose from. The evening’s general session will feature Eucharistic adoration.

Among the speakers for the 2024 NCYC are Sister Judy Blizzard, The Doug and Dave Show, and ValLimar Jansen. Some featured speakers also include Catholic author and educator Aires Patulot, the Given Institute’s Cynthia Psencik — who previously served as vice president of vice president of the National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana (La RED), and Emmy-nominated producer and author Ansel Augustine, who is the assistant director of African American Affairs at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Artists such as Chris Estrella, Nick and Nikki Garza, and Donovan Moses will provide the events’ worship music and entertainment.

Clasby also talked about the interactive exhibit hall, where, he explained, “anything Catholic, youth ministry-related is being promoted.” Within it, an area designated for leisure will welcome teens who want to “hang out and play” or “sit, have a coffee, and chat.”

One of the walk-through exhibits Clasby was looking forward to seeing with the youth of St. Patrick was on “understanding homelessness.”

“That’s part of Catholic social teaching … and so, it’s about helping our young people understand how to serve those in need and what they go through; just have some empathy and compassion for them,” he said.

Regarding efforts to engage the Latino youth and their families, Ibarra said that, aside from providing a few resources in Spanish, “we take it case-by-case, parish-by-parish, diocese-by-diocese situation.”

She explained that in parishes with a larger Latino community, “We look and meet with their youth minister virtually or over the phone and say, ‘What are the needs of the community there?’ And many times, it is a financial hardship to be able to make it to the conference.”

“A lot of Latino parents do let us know, ‘I want my child to be there.’ A lot of Latino parents are looking for something more for their child: to experience the church at a national level,” she said.

Clasby said this year’s conference will be an opportunity for the youth to see the larger Catholic Church.

“It’s an opportunity for the youth to see other young people from around the country practicing their faith and realize they are not the only ones that are teenagers who are Catholic,” he said. They are not the only ones trying to live their faith out loud.”