Teens turn out for African-American youth day; Eucharistic Adoration set to be open to public at KC State Convention
April 24, 2018
Alex Gotay Jr. speaks to young people at the second annual African-American Youth Day at St. Monica Catholic Church in Houston March 24. At least 140 youth attended the event. Photo by Christie Marie Leday.
Teens turn out for African-American youth day
HOUSTON — At least 140 young people, representing some 10 parishes from the Archdiocese, attended the second Annual African-American Youth Day hosted by St. Monica Catholic Parish on March 24. The day was also co-sponsored by St. Mary of the Purification and Our Mother of Mercy parishes.
This one-day event was created to celebrate the giftedness and beauty of Catholics of African Descent within the local church of Galveston-Houston, according to organizers. Alex Gotay Jr. shared his experience, growing up in an Afro-Latino household, as the day’s keynote speaker.
He shared his perspective and encouraged the youth that all the answers can be found in Christ Jesus. Designed for junior and senior high school students, the day offers youth a forum to discern, reflect and fellowship with their peers during the Lenten season.
The event featured a full day of biblical storytelling, music, song and empowerment. Jeremiah Joseph, a youth from St. Philip Neri Parish, directed the St. Monica Youth Choir and lead the young people in songs of contemporary Christian praise and worship music.
Norma Torok, associate director in the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization (OACE) provided the key leaders and chaperones an overview of the components of Youth Ministry and allowed for time to discern their involvement in this ministry. They were asked to reflect on the questions: “why they volunteer,” “is your parish youth friendly,” and “how will they continue to serve as an advocate for effective youth ministry with their parishes?”
The Archdiocesan Committee for African American Youth Day thanked the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization for its support and prayers for the event and the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary Junior Division Security Team for monitoring the grounds and directing vehicles for pick-up and drop-off. The next African-American Youth Day is scheduled for March 30, 2019 at Our Mother of Mercy Parish.
Public Eucharistic Adoration available at April 27-29 Knights of Columbus state convention
HOUSTON — The 2018 Texas State Knights of Columbus convention will be in Houston on April 27-29 at the Hilton Americas Hotel. Eucharistic Adoration will be available for all convention participants and attendees and is open to the public. This will be the fourth Houston convention with Adoration.
Adoration takes place between the opening Mass and the closing Mass of the convention. General public adorers from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston are welcome.
For more information, contact Deacon Dale Steffes at dalesteffes@comcast.net or 281-497-2179.