Teens find fun and faith at rally

- WCR photo by Bill Glen Hailey van Enver and Ashling Murphy of Drayton Valley found that meeting with their peers at the archdiocesan youth rally helped to deepen their faith.

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

About 400 teens came from across the Edmonton Archdiocese for the annual archdiocesan youth rally.

For many of them, it was a fun experience that also helped to deepen their faith.

"The teens really seem to like it," said Vanessa Rivard, a youth leader with Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Sherwood Park. "They've asked us when the next rally is, or if there is another one somewhere in the province we can take them to."

Julie Kriaski brought in 20 students from Blessed Sacrament School in Wainwright. She was looking for an opportunity for the students to talk in a large group with other kids their age.

"There was a lot of enthusiasm for the rally. I'm proud of them because it's a Saturday and they could be doing other things," Kriaski said.

Being with others her age was important to Ashling Murphy. The rally was a first for the Drayton Valley student.

"No one is the odd one out," said Murphy, a Grade 11 student at St. Anthony's School in Drayton Valley. Her classmate, Hailey van Enver, attended last year. She found the rally helped to deepen her faith.

"It was a lot of fun last year," van Enver said. "Learning more about my faith was kind of a boost."

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