ADAMS: Disciples Assemble! Archdiocesan Junior High Rally returns

(Photo by Michelle Eisterhold/For the Herald)

Attention all junior high youth, the Holy Spirit is calling you! So find your super suit and prepare for a saintly hero journey as well shout Disciples Assemble to celebrate the 2022 Archdiocesan Junior High Youth Rally, sponsored by the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization (OACE) for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

We will be gathering once again in person to celebrate this fantastic gathering of middle school students in sixth to eighth grade from throughout the Archdiocese. The 2022 Archdiocesan Junior High Youth Rally will be held on Saturday, Feb. 26, from 10:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. as we return to St. Bernadette Catholic Church, located at 15500 El Camino Real in Houston.

This year’s theme is Disciples Assemble based on Matthew 28:19-20 “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

We will explore how to use our gifts from the Holy Spirit to help us be modern-day disciples following the examples of young holy teens and saints from the 20th Century until today. We will break open themes like caring for ourselves, spiritual growth, using our gifts to share our faith with others. We want to help our teens be able to express their faith in word and actions like Blessed Carlo Acutis or Chiara Badano. We hope the rally will help them be able to evangelize the good news to their family and others, especially during these unique times.

Throughout the day, participants will experience keynotes, service experiences, workshops and community building, along with prayer experiences and the celebration of the Mass. This year, we are very excited to have Ricky Hernandez, executive director of the Brenda and John Duncan YMCA, former director of youth ministry at St. Jerome Catholic Church.

Hernandez is an enthusiastic and energetic speaker. He ministers by the motto, “Teens don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” Through stories, games and fun, he keeps the young Church engaged and involved. He has been working in youth ministry for over 20 years, owns his own motivational speaking company, “Bring It Strong Ministries,” and has spoken at churches/schools/camps from Texas to Florida. Whether it’s 2,500 people or 25 people, he “brings it strong” every single time.

Ricky’s greatest achievement by far is raising two wonderful children, Jacob and Audrey, and convincing his wife of 21 years to spend forever with him.

Registration for the rally is $40 through Feb. 4, and $50 after until Feb. 18. The registration cost covers the program festivities, two meals, T-shirt, prayer souvenir and Saturday Entertainment.

If you would like more information or to register, please contact your parish youth ministry/religious education leader or call/email the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization 713-714-8723; [email protected].

In this ever-changing pandemic landscape, we are monitoring COVID-19 updates and will keep our youth ministry community and their attending families aware of protocols as we grow closer to the Feb. 26 rally. 

Randy Adams is executive director of Camp Kappe Youth Retreat Facility and associate director of the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization.