By Gia Myers • Posted November 26, 2024

Over 300 students in grades eight to 12 from across the Archdiocese of Philadelphia gathered for the Philadelphia Catholic Youth Conference (PCYC) Nov. 23 at Immaculata University’s Alumnae Hall.

The one-day conference was filled with inspiration and celebration of Catholic identity, including presentations on each person’s unique purpose and our unity as one family in Christ throughout out the Universal Church.

“Destined” was the theme of this year’s event. PCYC is offered every two years and hosted by the Office for Ministry with Youth. This year marked the third such gathering in our local Church. The office’s director,  Marisally Santiago, hopes youths came away with what she called “a truly transformative encounter with Jesus.”

Sophomore Emma said she came to the event hoping “to grow in my faith and be closer to God.”  She attended with two friends and classmates, Lily and Whitney.

Father Roneld Saint Louis, parochial vicar at Holy Innocents Parish in Philadelphia, brought to 35 young people from his parish along with seven chaperones.

Natalie Rivera, one of the chaperones, said the event “is a great opportunity for young people to encounter Christ, especially those on the margins” of their faith.

Modeled after the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), PCYC started at 9:00 a.m. with a greeting by hosts Andrea Rodriguez, mission education and communications manager for the Pontifical Mission Societies in Philadelphia and Father Michael Herlihey, O.F.M., Cap.

“Father Mike,” as he was referred to during the day, spoke in his welcoming talk about his own youth as well as his feelings of confusion, frustration, and anger while trying to fit in at school.

Pointing to the event’s logo which featured an image of the North Star, Father Mike warned students that “the Lord wants to draw us north to heaven, but the devil wants to draw you south,” encouraging students to look past the distractions of “fitting in” with the culture and instead focus on following the Lord’s direction.

After everyone chanted Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, Rhyan “Bro Rhy” Ramirez took the stage for an energetic morning keynote talk.

Ramirez is a dynamic speaker and mentor with over two decades of experience in youth ministry. Most recently he spoke at the NCYC in Long Beach, California on Nov. 16.

Formerly a nurse, Ramirez integrates his extensive background in mental health and social-emotional learning with his ministry work. Last year he also earned a theology degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Ramirez combined important precepts of Catholic faith with performances of self-written rap songs, which had students clapping their hands and swaying to the music.

Of his many meaningful messages to students, Elizabeth, a sophomore, found the phrase, “Realize with Your Real Eyes,” memorable. Ramirez used that language to encourage students to look at the world through “spiritual eyes” to see things “a lot differently” and without distractions.

To emphasize the point, Ramirez referred to the conversion of Saul in Acts 9:1-31. “He lost his sight, but he gained his vision, and he realized with his real eyes,” he said of Saul who later became St. Paul.

Steven, a high school senior, said he found the message of “keeping God your number one priority” most important.

Ramirez urged students to put nothing in their lives above God, so that they can fully receive God’s grace. Ramirez quoted Chance the Rapper, saying, “Prayers go up, and the blessings come down.” He went on to perform a self-written song, in which he raps, “The Holy Spirit burns inside of me, because God is my number one priority.”

Father Stephen DeLacy, vicar for the Office for Faith Formation of Youth and Young Adults, describes PCYC as “a combination of youthful energy, the Holy Spirit’s animation, the grace of God’s presence, solid teaching, and encounter with Jesus at a level of the heart that transforms anyone who experiences it.” He participated throughout the day, giving students friendly fist-bumps between sessions.

The conference also offered opportunities for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the sacrament of penance, as well as breakout sessions for smaller group discussions. The day ended with a vigil Mass celebrated by Archbishop Nelson Pérez.

Music throughout the day was provided by the Young Adult Choir from Holy Innocents Parish in Philadelphia, under the direction of Giovanni Morales, the parish’s director of music.

For more information on the Office for Ministry with Youth, visit their website at https://phillyomy.org/