Hundreds gather to celebrate a Youth Encounter

Intermountain Catholic

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Singing fills Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church during the youth encounter. IC photo/Laura Vallejo

OREM — More than 400 young Catholics gathered at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church to celebrate a Youth Encounter on June 15-16.

The event, titled "Young Men & Women Stand Up and Believe in Jesus," was organized by the diocesan charismatic group.

Jesse Damara and Jennifer Benítez, known nationally as youth speakers, were the presenters.

Among the attendees was a group of 100 young parishioners from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Salt Lake City, who rented two buses and designed blue shirts especially for the event.

"We are very happy. This has united us more," said one of the group participants.

"I think that it’s very important that our youth attend this event," said Benita Trujillo, a Our Lady of Guadalupe parishioner whose daughter and niece participated in the youth encounter. "Sometimes they [the youth] get lost and don’t want to participate in their parishes, so this will bring them closer to God."

The event was filled with music, dance, worship, prayers and friendly talks, during which the attendees identified with each other and sometimes teared up as they felt understood by others and felt the presence of God in their hearts.

"I really felt God. I have never talked about what was going on in my family," said Nancy Cruz, "but hearing these stories and being here has helped me to realize that I am not alone and God loves me."

Damara’s presentation included topics such as "God and Youth," and "Young Men and Women Stand Up and Believe in Jesus."

Benítez’s topics included "Young People and Their Lives," "The Church and Youth" and "Jesus Together With Youth."

"Youth, don’t be afraid and open your heart to God," said Damara as he shared his life story with the attendees.

When Damara was 13 years old, he discovered that his father was a drug addict, the start of a very hard and long road for him and his family. During the next few years his family lost their home, his father kept getting worse and worse until he reached the point that he didn’t care about his family at all, but during this time and even struggling with his faith, Damara never gave up. He opened his heart completely to God, and after several years of praying and faith, his father entered a rehabilitation program and a healing process began for the entire family.

"God’s love can do many wonderful things when you open your heart," said Damara, who, despite all the adversity, kept faithful to God.

Benítez motivated the youth by singing and telling them to never give up and always listen to their hearts so they could hear Jesus.

"This helped me a lot; this was the first time I came to one of these events," said Rick Morales, adding that at the beginning he was there because his mother wanted it, but after listening to the speakers and sharing time with other Catholic youth he felt that the experience was "totally worth it. It was better than staying home and playing [Play Station]."