Seconds after finishing the obstacle course that was far more challenging than it appeared, Anna Walsh blasted down the slide with her arms overhead, caught her breath, and talked about why she loved participating in the middle school BASH.
“It’s best to develop your faith when you’re young so you grow up with this knowledge in order to praise God and grow,” said Walsh, a sixth grader who attends St. John Neumann Church in Reston. “We’re all doing the same thing. It’s easier to connect when we have something in common.”
More than 1,400 middle school students from the diocese converged at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington May 4 to take part in the annual BASH, sponsored by the office of youth, campus, and young adult ministries. The BASH featured five hours of fun and games, food, speakers, and Mass, celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge.
“Look out for your friends who may be struggling and feeling alone,” said Bishop Burbidge in his homily. “Be there for them. Jesus wants you not just to exist but to live — not to feel alone but to know you are his friends — and not to be sad, but to find joy.”
Laughter and joy filled the gymnasium as students made the most of the chance to make new friends. “I think it’s great. We’re all having a great time,” said Sophia Foreso, a seventh grader at St. Mark Catholic School in Vienna. “It brings together the Arlington diocese and we get to see a bunch of other Catholic kids. It’s a great way to get to know a lot of people.”
“It builds community,” said Thomas O’Donnell, a seventh grader who attends Good Shepherd Church in Alexandria. “We can share thoughts with each other, have fun and enjoy our faith as one big diocese.”
Parents seemed just as excited to see their kids enjoying old-fashioned fun. “This is a wonderful event,” said Lucinda Wilson, who came with a group of 29 students from St. John the Evangelist Church in Warrenton. “It’s so healthy for the kids and such a wonderful opportunity for them to be around other kids who are doing the same thing, living the same way with the same values.”
“It’s nice for them to come here and know that they’re not alone,” said parent Keith Gerhard from Our Lady of the Blue Ridge Church in Madison. “There’s a lot of ways to have fun in this world that are good ways for the kids to have fun. I’m glad that they do this every single year.”
Before Mass, evangelist Mari Pablo finished an energetic, uplifting talk with some words for those who are suffering. “I know a lot of your struggles – mentally, physically, emotionally,” she said. “I want you to know that God wants a relationship with you. If you know God and you’re able to say yes to God’s love, it will transform you. I don’t know your story or what your suffering is, but the Lord does, and he wants to help you carry it.”
Ian Kershaw, a seventh grader from Good Shepherd Church, was all smiles when asked about the importance of BASH. “It’s important that we come together and have fun doing something we love,” he said. “And we love our faith.”
