By Angela E. Pometto
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 4/14/05)

What makes more than 200 junior high students give up a beautiful Saturday in April to participate in a daylong retreat? Yes, many of them were required to attend the confirmation retreat that began at 9 a.m., but most willingly stayed for the Youth Bash that lasted until 9:30 p.m. The day’s theme "Get Real" focused the day on Christ in the Eucharist amidst the music, games and comedy show.

Nationally known speaker and musician Bob Rice served as emcee for the day and used music, laughter and movement to keep the youths involved.

"The reason we can get real is because we have an incredible God," Rice said. "He loves our life more than we love our life."

According to Rice, being Catholic is about getting to know God and getting real with Him.

"Jesus Christ is the most excitingly dynamic person who ever walked the face of the earth," he said, adding that the youths who think He is boring have the wrong idea. "We need to start getting to know Jesus through the Gospel and sacraments."

Following Christ is an active decision that everyone has to make. "Sitting here tonight doesn’t make you Catholic," Rice said.

"The Eucharist is the real presence," he said. "Jesus Christ, in the Eucharist, is inviting every single one of us to get real," Rice said. "He wants to show you who you are. That’s the message that changes the world."

Deacon James Searby said that being in the presence of the Eucharist is "like being near a nuclear reactor. He is here with us, changing us now."

Searby pointed out that it’s easy for people to work on the exterior life and forget about the interior life.

"The really real life is the sacramental life," he said, adding that through the sacraments people are given "super powers" or grace. "We all want super powers. It’s written on our hearts that we want grace." This is why, he said, people enjoy movies like "The Matrix" or "Star Wars."

"Who doesn’t want to be a Jedi?" he asked, showing off his Jedi-like skills with an imaginary light saber. If people work to develop the interior life, they will be able to see into the deeper reality of the spiritual life. "God offers us all those things through the sacraments."

Throughout the retreat, the youths from 15 parishes heard talks about the Trinity, confession and the sacraments that were accompanied with small group discussions. After lunch, Eucharistic adoration and confession was available. The retreat ended with the youth memorial Mass for the pope, celebrated by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde. Activity then moved to O’Connell’s parking lot that was filled with inflatable games, rides and activities.

The day ended with a performance by the improvisational group, "FOOLS!" The comedy team performed skits by taking suggestions from the audience. From a student trying to hide the fact that he chewed his math homework to examples of the world’s worst youth minister, "FOOLS!" ended the day on a high note.