COLBERT: Archdiocesan Youth Conference 2024 – Bigger and Better!
August 13, 2024
(Photo by Amy Ann Davila/Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization)
The annual Archdiocesan Youth Conference (AYC) was held on July 26 to 28 at the Hilton Americas-Houston. AYC 2024 grew by more than 200 participants from last year to reach over 1,600 youth and their adult leaders.
The energy and enthusiasm of the young Church were palpable as they gathered on Friday evening for community building, praise and worship, which continued into the Saturday evening experiences of music and adoration, along with a dynamic Catholic rapper.
AYC 2024 had the young Church of Galveston-Houston on their feet, praising God in new and exciting ways. Keynote speakers unpacked the theme “Journey to Heaven” with moving and inspirational messages to the young people — grounded in the passage of Ephesians 6:10-11, “Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil.”
The speakers invited the participants to develop a toolkit to stay on course on the journey to Heaven, which consisted of the Sacraments and sacramentals. The final keynote encouraged them to identify companions on their journey, namely the Blessed Mother, the Saints, their families, youth leaders and pastors.
On the final day of the conference, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo commissioned the 2024-2025 Archdiocesan Youth Council and celebrated the closing Mass.
AYC 2025, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” is set for July 25 to 27, 2025.
Timothy E. Colbert is the director of the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization.