National Catholic Youth Conference 2011
St. Cecilia, Wisconsin Dells
What do I want to tell the Parish about my experience???
NCYC was an interesting experience seeing 23,000 other kids that are just like me in wanting to thrive in their Catholic faith is just amazing. I had never felt so “part of the group” before. Being able to sing loud and proud and not having to worry about being the only voice heard is also an amazing thing. I could go on and on about how this trip spiritually changed me but I don’t’ think you all would want to read a bazillion pages. Overall, this trip was awesome, just like our God.
~ Mayce Bacon, Junior
This trip was an amazing experience. In a world where kids are criticized for their beliefs, it was so inspiring to see 23,000 plus teenagers sharing their faith with each other and the entire community. Everyone was so friendly and willing to talk to you - like one big community of friends. If the world could figure out how to act like the people in that convention center, the world would be a better place. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to go along on this trip. Seeing that many priests, bishops, and religious sisters in one place was quite awe-inspiring as well. It was a great opportunity to me to connect with some of our parish kids, and gave me a new perspective on life and I hope that some of the ideas and values expressed in the conference stay with me for the rest of my life. Thanks to St. Cecilia’s for allowing me to attend - and thanks to the Nate family and UNO’s for their generous assistance to help our kids go on the trip of their lives!
~ Carolyn Bacon, chaperone
It was a privilege and a blessing to able to attend NCYC with our youth. To see our seven youth along with over 23,000 other Catholic youth from all over the country celebrating and embracing our Faith was overwhelming. We had so many different opportunities to connect with God and with each other, through prayer, worship, music, and a multitude of inspirational speakers. Although the speakers and presenters all had different stories, they all communicated the same belief that we are the face of Christ in everything we do and that we are all called by Christ to do many little things, not just the great things. My hope for our youth is that they can continue to build their faith beyond NCYC, that the energy and spirit of NCYC helps them to open their minds and hearts to what God is calling each of them to do. Thank you for the opportunity to attend NCYC wit hour youth. St Cecilia’s should be very proud of our youth and their love for our God and the Catholic faith.
~ Laura Nate, chaperone
I have attended NCYC for two years now and let me tell you - It’s the best experience in your lifetime. You meet people who aren’t just Catholic because they have to be, they’re Catholic because they want to be. The amount of energy there’s there is like nothing you’ve ever seen in your life, it’s not like a rock concert, and the fact that we’re not there to see the speakers, we’re there to get closer to God. It leaves you speechless when you hear how quiet it can really get with 23,000 kids. It’s such an amazing experience and I would recommend that everyone got at least once.
~ Samantha Tonn, Senior
This is the first year I attended NCYC and it was a great experience. Learning things there wasn’t all just facts and statistics from speakers. I also learned how to get deeper into things in church, and how to connect with people - 23,000 Catholic youth and their chaperones, to be specific. It’s one of the most exciting things that I’ve been able to take a part of and it would be something I’d do again and recommend to everyone at our parish.
~ Monica Czuprynko, junior
NCYC is something that has changed my life. It put my faith in a new perspective. Along with 23,000 other Catholic teens I celebrated my faith for four days. It helped me to learn how to proclaim my faith and better myself as a disciple of God.
~ Patrick Nate, Sophmore
The will of God is a glorious and mysterious thing. However, I feel that NCYC made me understand what the Lord has planned for me, as well as strengthening my bond with many other teenagers who feel the same way as me.
~ Josh McMeans, Freshman
This year’s NCYC was held in Indianapolis, Indiana. St. Cecilia’s Parish was represented by three chaperones, four young men and three young ladies. Our objectives were to deepen our faith and connect on a higher level of (for us) what it means to be a Catholic. We wasted not one moment of our journey bonding with each other and 23,000 youth from all over the country. The Holy Spirit truly descended upon us in every way. This is my third trip as a chaperone to NCYC with the “Young Church” youth. For me it’s a renewal and recommitment of my vows as an adult member of the church. When I’m with these kids, I’m inspired to live out my faith with more passion and joy. In these kids I see the face of Jesus. All these things and more make me so proud to be a Catholic. This si an experience I wish everyone had. You really have to be a witness to it to understand it. I’d like to thank St. Cecilia Parish, Uno’s Chicago Grill (fundraising), the parents that sent their kids but most of all thanks to the “Young Church” for allowing me to share this time with you. It is a pleasure and a privilege to get to know you. Thanks to my fellow chaperone’s (Laura Nate and Carolyn Bacon). You are the greatest. Also thanks to Terri Donnelly for driving a car load to Madison. Thank you Dave Kordell for organizing everything. You’re the best! And remember - the journey never ends!
~Lynn Mattei, Chaperone (with love)
What do I want to tell my classmates about my experience???
Going to NCYC was an amazing, fun experience yet also overwhelming. To see 23,000 kids just like us singing and shouting our praise is SO awesome to see. I wish that I’d have gone my freshman year but I have the college trip available in two years also - which I suggest everyone goes to. The trip was fun and faith changing.
~ Mayce Bacon, Junior
Go to NCYC. That’s basically all I have to say, because by going to NCYC you not only have the experience of traveling to a different state, meeting new people and trading objects, you have the experience fo getting closer to God and there is not better feeling than that.
~ Samantha Tonn, Senior
NCYC will change your life. It helped me and will help you to strengthen your faith in God. I know it may not sound the “coolest” but it is totally worth it. Please give it a try, and you’ll be very glad you did.
~ Patrick Nate, Freshman
NCYC was a good place to meet people just like me. It made me think of the smaller things in life. I would recommend this trip to everyone due to the fact that you get to know many people.
~ David Gorun, Junior
I think NCYC was a unique experience. It was a good way to learn about your faith in an environment that is comfortable and fun. You don’t feel out of place or embarrassed. All the speakers are good at relating to teens and not sounding boring. All the other teens were very friendly and fun to talk to.
~ Jacob Schulz, Freshman
Having the opportunity to go on this trip was great. NCYC had helped me look deeper into my faith through stories from others, songs and prayers. The speakers that were there had excellent things to share and the other 23,000 Catholic people were a lot of fun. It’s something that if in two years you want to go, you should because it’s awesome and words cannot really describe it.
~ Monica Czuyprynko, Junior
