Diocesan Youth Conference Leaves Impact on Teens
February 9, 2016 • Diocese of St. Augustine

by Elena Castello

The Diocese of St. Augustine hosted something it’s never done before – an overnight high school youth at Camp Kulaqua in High Springs, Fla. About 200 youth representing 18 parishes came together Feb. 6-7 to break from the craziness of their everyday lives.

Students from Our Lady Star of the Sea pose with Paul J. Kim. Morgan English, a senior at Ponte Vedra High School, said this is the second time she's heard him speak. She said the analogy of the finger compared to the length of time that is eternity really put things in perspective. | Photo by Elena Castello.
Students from Our Lady Star of the Sea pose with Paul J. Kim. Morgan English, a senior at Ponte Vedra High School, said this is the second time she’s heard him speak. She said the analogy of the finger compared to the length of time that is eternity really put things in perspective. | Photo by Tonia Borsellino.

Saturday morning began early with high-energy music by the Justin Dery and 40 band and a dance-off competition to encourage teens to stand up and move despite the early morning wake-up call.

After introductions by hosts Mike Sylvester and David Leininger, the competitions continued with a hot-potato-style game that made students impersonate Tarzan, yell “GOL!” and do other silly activities.

Bishop Estévez celebrated Mass Saturday morning. In his homily he emphasized the importance of taking a break from the world. Jesus did just that in the Gospel.

Paul J. Kim, an internationally known Catholic speaker, beat-boxer and singer, then took the mic and spoke to the youth. He retold the story of the prodigal son, in a modern-day perspective.

“The story of the prodigal son is our story,” he said.

He said he wanted to “make it real” with the teens. That’s why he starts his talk out with jokes and his musical loop machine; he tries to build a relationship with the audience. Once the trust is built, then he can bring in “the deep stuff.”

Morgan English, a parishioner at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Ponte Vedra Beach, said she really enjoyed Paul J. Kim’s talk. She said she’s seen him before, but this time was a little different.

“With such a small group, it was really personal,” she said. “This brought the whole diocese closer together.”

Teens take part in a living Rosary during the High School Youth Conference at Camp Kulaqua in High Springs, FL. | Photo by Tonia Borsellino
Teens take part in a living Rosary during the High School Youth Conference at Camp Kulaqua in High Springs, FL. | Photo by Elena Castello

English also played a role in the living rosary Saturday evening. Five parishes each prayed one decade of the luminous mysteries. They could portray them in any way they wanted, and creativity included pictures, testimonies, and even a skit.

There were sessions for both boys and girls, which divided the group and featured a speaker for each. Rachel Leininger spoke to the women about the story of Judith and the power of beauty.

“Jesus meets us in reality,” she said. She emphasized that women need to use their beauty for good and not for evil, just like Judith did.

Gerri Dones, a parishioner at Mary, Queen of Heaven in Jacksonville, said Leininger’s talk was her favorite part of the whole retreat.

“Rachel’s definition of feminism is different from social media’s definition today,” she said.

“I like Judith’s story.”

Dones said it all feels like a blur, but that she felt joy. This was the first time she ever attended a retreat, she said. Leaving the camp, she said she knows things will be different when she goes home.

After the rosary and confession, the teens experienced a brief time of adoration Saturday night.

The next day, the Justin Dery and 40 band opened with music again, and Paul J. Kim gave the final keynote address.

“How you live this life determines where you spend eternity,” he said.

The weekend conference concluded with Mass. It was a resounding “yes!” when the teens were asked if they wanted to do this again next year.

It was a weekend to remember. The teens left the retreat with something to take back to their parishes, they learned more about their relationship with Jesus, and new friendships were established.