Joyous students enjoy a good life

Six hundred Alberta students experienced the delights and dedication of their faith

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

It took Kelly Henderson a lot of planning and a bit of prayer to get 45 students from Cold Lake headed for Edmonton at 4 a.m. But she wishes she could do it again.

Henderson, youth minister at Assumption Junior/Senior High School in Cold Lake, brought the group to Archbishop O'Leary High School to take part in a spirited celebration of faith Oct. 22 as the Edmonton Archdiocese hosted the Alberta Catholic youth rally titled The Good Life.

More than 600 junior and senior high school students from across the province held hands, prayed, celebrated Mass and danced to upbeat Christian music.

Henderson said a youth rally is an ideal place where teens feel free to get an understanding of their faith and share it without the fear of being ridiculed by their peers. It's a place where friendships can be made for life.

Together in faith

"It is important to bring the youth together to continue on their faith journey and to introduce them to other ways to explore," she said.

"I think it's awesome that they can come together from all over Alberta under one roof."

Henderson looked about the noisy gymnasium draped with colourful banners carrying positive Christian messages.

"This is great. They're up on the chairs dancing. It would be nice to see two rallies a year."

Guest speaker for the day-long event was Vince Nims from Fremont, Calif. Nims is well known as the Banana Man, named for a popular audience-participation song he wrote.

Nims led the gathering through numerous sing-along songs and games while bringing audience members onto the stage. In a word, he was a hit.

"To be here means I'm doing my job to serve God, first and foremost," Nims said in an interview.

"My home is wherever God calls me to go."

The 37-year-old has recently toured the United States, Canada and parts of Europe. He is also known as "the roamin' Catholic."

"The Lord said this is what he needs me to do. For 15 years, I have been a music minister. Following God is a good life. The world presents plenty of obstacles and when we encounter a crisis, we know that is not life," he said.

Loosen the world's shackles

"Everything we go through leads to something and that is what our faith is rooted in. Jesus showed that if one man can beat the chains of death, we can beat the chains of the world through our faith."

Andrew Papenbrock was surprised by the number of students because busloads were arriving unannounced.

"There's a large group from Calgary who showed up out of the blue. There's more than 150 volunteers here.

"This is fantastic," said Papenbrock, youth ministry coordinator for the Edmonton Archdiocese.

"Kids live in a tough society where they have challenges facing them. But it's a good life. Sometimes they are persecuted by their friends and the community around them for living the Word. Here, we have a school full of kids receiving it with joy."

Jacob Williams of Spruce Grove met Luke MacKenzie of Whitecourt last July in Lac Ste. Anne during the annual Catholic Family Life conference. They were two 14-year-old boys who mostly went to the conference at the request of their families.

They had no idea they would run into each other again at the rally.

"There is faith and prayer here, but we get to meet old friends and to make new ones," Williams said.

Mike Landry uses his ministry to let others know that a life of faith can be difficult. He tells kids that they never need to feel like they are alone.

"The rally is important to get kids together and excited about their faith," said Landry, youth minister of Holy Family Parish in St. Albert.

"Catholic or otherwise, it's not always easy for kids to stand up for what they believe in.

"We are trying to encourage the ones who are doing it and to show others who are nervous that it is something they can do.

"We want them to know that following Christ is worth it."

Danika Willier came with friends from Plamondon. The Grade 8 student attended the rally with one purpose in mind.

"I came to learn more about God," she said.

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