HUNDREDS OF SOCAL TEENS GATHERED AT UCLA FOR THREE-DAY CONFERNCE ON EXPRESSING SAINTHOOD IN EVERYDAY LIFE

August 12, 2015  |  By: newsroom  |  Press Releases  |  

Inaugural event by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles featuring music and speakers aimed at deepening and growing the faith of Catholic youth

City of Saints, a three-day Catholic teen conference featuring dynamic speakers, liturgical experiences and musical performances, was hosted by Archbishop José H. Gomez and the Office of Religious Education of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at the University of California, Los Angeles from August 7-9. The name “City of Saints” reminds youth that they are called to be saints in their own communities

Inspired by the words of Our Holy Father Pope Francis — “God is not afraid of new things! That is why he is continually surprising us, opening our hearts and guiding us in unexpected ways.” — the conference provided an opportunity for young people to deepen their relationship with Jesus and help them express sainthood in their everyday lives.

“God is sending each one of you into the world to share in his mission — the beautiful mission of becoming saints and spreading his joy and mercy with everyone you meet. The beautiful mission of making this world a ‘city of saints,’” said Archbishop Gomez during his Homily.

Archbishop Gomez received a standing ovation from all participating teens after announcing that the conference will return next year.

Annika Diaz a teen from Our Lady of the Assumption in Claremont, said “I was blessed to participate at the first ever City of Saints teen conference. Throughout the weekend my faith was strengthened by powerful speakers and loving peers. I cannot wait to see what next year brings!”

Youth from 85 parishes around all three counties of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara) enjoyed music by WAL and speakers including: Mike Patin, Steve Allgeyer, Dr. Ansel Augustine, Mary Bielski, Marc Leon, Tricia Tembreull, Liliana Flores and Fr. Agustino Migueal Torres. Teens traveled from as far as the Diocese of San Bernardino and Las Vegas to attend the conference.

Mike Patin, a nationally recognized speaker from the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana, kicked off the event be reminding youth that they are all called to greatness. He shared, “being called to greatness means you must feed, practice and stretch your faith.”

It took the support of many volunteers to make the conference a meaningful experience for the teens and they too were inspired. “It was really encouraging to see so much life in the young Church and to see them so open to want to know the voice of God.  As a Seminarian, it sets my vocation on fire,” said Tim Grumbach, Seminarian of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Emceed by Catholic rapper “Righteous B,” the conference provided teens with the opportunity to learn about and experience the Eucharist and the beauty of the Catholic faith with its rich symbols and traditions.

The conference concluded with a message of love, fire and purpose, as Dr. Ansel Augustine said in his address “God wants to do great things through you!”

For more information about City of Saints, including photos, videos and updates, please visit http://cityofsaints.org and follow https://www.facebook.com/cityofsaintsla, https://twitter.com/cityofsaintsla and https://instagram.com/cityofsaintsla. Additional photos are available upon request.

Photo credit: Archdiocese of Los Angeles

 

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