More than 60 young people from different parishes attended the first Youth Night organized by the Hispanic Apostolate in collaboration with the youth group Agape at Holy Family Church in Dale City Sept. 23.
The night began with the Mass celebrated by Father Daniel Rice and concelebrated by Father Guillermo González. During his homily, Father Daniel Rice, meditating on the first reading from the book of Ecclesiastes, reminded the young people that there is a time for everything, “a time to dance, and another to cry.” Father Rice asked those present to trust in God and praise him at all times, regardless of the circumstances.
After the Mass, there was exposition of the Blessed Sacrament to start the Holy Hour. Fathers Rice and González heard confessions and Joel de Loera, director of the Hispanic Apostolate, gave a reflection.
De Loera based his reflection on the first words of Jesus in the Gospel of John: “What do you want?” He pointed out that the answer is found in the reality that we all want to be loved and to love. But sometimes it is difficult to experience this love because we have experienced wounds throughout our lives.
He reminded the youths that each of them is loved by God and that there is nothing they can do to lose God’s unconditional love. He also told them that each one of us is indispensable, irreplaceable and unrepeatable. He said God has a plan of love for everyone and we are all invited to experience his love and healing.
After adoration, the young people moved to Bowl America for a fun way to combine their faith and friendship.
The next youth event of the Hispanic Apostolate will be a Youth Advent Retreat Dec. 17 at the diocesan center, 80 North Glebe Road in Arlington, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
