Teen Rally gathers youth from throughout Utah as part of July 9 diocesan event

IC photo/Laura Vallejo

+ Enlarge

Bishop Oscar A. Solis jokes with youth during the Teen Rally that was part of the July 9 diocesan event.

SANDY — Catholic teens from throughout Utah heard a message tailored specifically for them at the July 9 Diocesan Eucharistic Rally and Mass.

The Teen Rally was among the events at the celebration of the Eucharist, held at the Mountain America Exposition Center in Sandy, which drew thousands of Catholics of all ages for a day of speakers and activities that culminated in the Mass at which Bishop Oscar A. Solis presided.

Bishop Solis also spoke at the Teen Rally. He opened with a prayer, saying, “You know, when we pray it reaches to our mind, body and spirit, and that is how you know that God is here with you. Wherever you are, whatever time of the day it is, we have a God that cares, who loves and who wants to be with us all the time.”

Bishop Solis thanked the teens for their presence, and told them they are very important for the life of the Church.

He also asked what they see when they go to church.

“Do you see old people like me? … In a couple of years we will be gone; who will be proclaiming the message of God of love and salvation? Who will be proclaiming and sharing the good news that God loves us? Who is going to fill our church? It is you; you are the heart and the life of our Church,” Bishop Solis said, adding that this is the reason that having gatherings especially for youth is so important.

He emphasized to the teens that “it is very important that you recognize the presence of God in your lives. God is in your heart, God is in you and with you everywhere. … The love of God is so strong that it never wants to part ways from us,” he said.

If a person has God with them, they will never be alone, Bishop Solis said, and urged them to always have a smile on their face. “Never be in despair, never be discouraged. Why? Because God is with you. … Sometimes we forget that God is with us and we don’t smile. So what do you do? You pray.”

Like all Catholics, the teens have an important mission in the Church, he said.

“When you received the Sacrament of Baptism, you also received a responsibility: to share the message of God to the world,” the bishop said. “God created us like him, as a source of joy and a source of happiness. I want you to feel that joy in your hearts.”

Another presentation to the teens was given by Fr. Gustavo Vidal, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Layton and chairman of the diocesan Liturgical Commission. The commission is heading the Carlo Acutis Apostolate previously known as the Joshua Project, an effort to involve young people throughout the diocese in the Church; the project also is meant to stem youth suicide.

Stating that when he was young, he often felt depressed, Fr. Vidal reassured the teens that this can happen to anyone.

“Many times I didn’t want to talk to people, many times I just wanted to be by myself, … all those things, but you know that we all go through those things in our lives,” he said.

These feelings are normal, he said, but added that the teens should remember that there is always hope.

“Later you figure that those problems we all have and struggle with them, … but God is hope,” he said. “Be patient with yourself and always remember you are not alone.”

The reason for having the Teen Rally as part of the Diocesan Eucharistic Revival Rally and Mass and as part of the ongoing Carlo Acutis Apostolate was to let all the youth of the diocese know that they have people who care for and are working for them.

“You are here and you can see all these people who share the worship, who share the same faith,” Fr. Vidal said, adding that it is important to realize that there are teens from different parishes and from different places from throughout the state who share the Catholic faith.

“We are here not alone,” Fr. Vidal said.

Addressing the parents who accompanied the youth, Fr. Vidal asked them to accompany their children in their faith journey.

“It is very important that you get involved in the faith of your kids; we need your help,” he said.

Benjamin Acosta, a FOCUS missionary for the last seven years, presented two talks, both focused on the Eucharist. The presentations were followed by a question-and-answer session.

As part of the Carlo Acutis Apostolate another teen/youth rally is scheduled for Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Midvale. For information, call the St. Rose of Lima Parish office, 801-544-4269.