Local

RALLY draws hundreds of teens

Natalie J. Plumb | For the Catholic Herald

Youths were able to choose from a variety of workshops Oct. 22 at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

CROP_20171022_2017_Youth_Rally_HJP_35.jpg

Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrates Mass Oct. 22 during RALLY at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

CROP_20171022_2017_Youth_Rally_HJP_57.jpg

Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge addresses diocesan youths at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington Oct. 22. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

CROP_20171022_2017_Youth_Rally_HJP_66.jpg

Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge told more than 850 Arlington
youths and adult leaders that his favorite part about being a bishop is “being
with you.”

High school-aged teens from 50 diocesan parishes spent eight
hours at Rally at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington celebrating their
Catholic faith Oct. 22.

In the late afternoon, Bishop Burbidge celebrated Mass for the
group, followed by a question and answer session with the teens. They asked the
Bishop what the hardest part about being a priest is, and what celebrity he
would pick as a travel companion (answer: Pope Francis). One young girl even
asked him to tell a corny joke, to which he responded, “I think you should tell
us a joke,” as the whole room responded in laughter.

“If you’re ever meeting me, let’s meet eyeball to eyeball, heart
to heart,” Bishop Burbidge told the teens, reminding them to always, “Walk
humbly with your God,” his episcopal motto and this year’s Office of Youth,
Campus and Young Adult Ministries theme.

“Humility is that virtue that allows us to recognize that we are
God’s chosen ones,” Bishop Burbidge said. “When someone recognizes something
that you were able to do and accomplish, the right response is ‘thank you.’
That is humility.”

“What I love about Rally is how the day always begins with
hundreds of teenagers somewhat apprehensive about spending an entire day at a
‘churchy’ event,” said Kevin Bohli, director of the Office of Youth, Campus and
Young Adult Ministries, which sponsors the annual event. “But it always ends
with such energy and excitement for the Lord and being members of the Catholic
Church.”

Earlier in the day, teens heard from keynote speaker Sarah
Swafford, founder of Emotional Virtue Ministries, before breaking out into
multiple workshops, including “Stump the Priest,” “#SquadGoals” and “How to
Know What God Wants,” each led by youth ministry directors, religious, priests
and laypersons.

Throughout the day, inflatables, amusement park rides and other
outdoor games kept teens active.

The night capped off with an improv session with Improv 321, a
group that came up with its name from the 3-in-1 nature of the Trinity. The Ben
Walther Band accompanied the finale concert and adoration service, which was a
combination of prayer, music, procession and silence.

Plumb is diocesan digital and social media coordinator.

Related Articles