Fr. Jim's Jots, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - 2.16.2020

Fr. Jim's Jots

How we long to be known!  Earlier this month, I had the privilege to accompany eight of our high-school students to the Diocesan Youth Conference at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. From February 7 to February 9, these young people were immersed in a community of young believers, their mentors, and their pastors, in a journey to become known.

The conference opened to a loud gathering of over 1,200 teens from all over the diocese.  Amongst the crowd could be found waving flags, banners and posters.  Cardboard cut-outs of pastors, seminarians stood out above the crowd.  Rowdy as any homecoming football game crowd, the kids danced, sang and laughed together.  But a very special spirit had come over these young people.  These same kids celebrated Mass together the following day.  After spending most of Saturday in learning sessions about saints, vocations, Catholic history, music, science and prayer, these same 1,200 knelt reverently at Adoration, praying silently and peacefully until nearly midnight.

Still, kids will be kids!  In between programs, teens let off steam in a room full of inflatables to jump and play on and were entertained by a talented magician.  And interspersed between it all was food!

What does it mean to be known in a day where everyone's private business is splashed over social media?  What does it mean to be known in a day where children don't share with their parents?  What does it mean to be known to a God who has counted every hair on your head?

As these young people come to know themselves, I ask that you take time to get to know them as well.  It was an honor to share this experience with our teens.

God Bless,

Liz Wiznerowicz

~ Special thanks to the youth who attended our Diocesan Youth Convention:  Eva, Miranda, Jerimah, Abedi, Mateo, Fabrice, Yves, Noe and Liz Wiznerowicz.