AYF HISTORY
2003: Seek Him – Face to Face
By Margaret Schonberg (Contributing writer Times Pycayune)
More than 2,300 youths will make their way to the fields of St. Joseph Abbey and Seminary College on Saturday for the third annual Abbey Youth Festival.
Students from Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee have registered to take part in this year’s event, with the theme “Seek Him – Face to Face.”
Fliers have been asking the teens if they are “Looking for light? You are light. Looking for treasure? You are treasure. Looking for beauty? You are beautiful. Looking for love? Seek Him Face to Face.”
The theme, chosen by seminarians, is based on references by Pope John Paul II to seek the face of Christ through prayer. It is depicted on the festival’s T-shirts designed by seminarian Chris Decker of Baton Rouge.
“The Holy Father has called the culture in which we live ‘a culture of death,’” said the Rev. Gregory Boquet, president/rector of St. Joseph Seminary College. “However, the environment and the surroundings of the abbey and the gathering of thousands of youth at this festival offer a resounding no to the current conditions in which we live.”
One of the groups is from St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Shiloh, Tenn., who had the choice of either going skiing or of coming to the festival. They chose the youth festival.
The 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. day of worship and praise is for young adults 13 and older. It features talks, music, skits and liturgies oriented to the interests and concerns of young people.
“Youth Fest 2003 gives youth from the entire Gulf region an opportunity to come together and share their faith with like-minded teens,” said Mimi Kelly, coordinator of the festival and director of the MIR Group in New Orleans. “The youth ministers that I’ve talked to have been beside themselves with enthusiasm for their return to Abbey Fest 2003. I believe that these teens who come here are truly answering a call. They may not know it right now, but they are being called to be here and their ‘yes’ will certainly change their lives for the better.”
Abbey Youth Festival 2001, founded by Chris Baglow, a professor at the seminary college, was devoted to the struggles facing teens who desired to remain faithful to Christ in today’s world. AYF 2002 focused on Christ in the mystery of redemption. This year, the focus will be on Christ, the second person of the Blessed Trinity.
Back by popular demand is Bob Schrimpf as emcee. Schrimpf is the founder and director of The Gathering Catholic Youth Ministries in San Diego. It reaches more than 700 teens weekly.
Talk 1 is titled “Face Yourself” given by Brian Johnson, director of Youth Ministries for the Houston-Galveston diocese. He is a national and international speaker who talks about building self-esteem, improving cultural relationships and speaks to social justice issues. His talk will challenge teens to look inside and find Christ in themselves.
Talk 2 is titled “Face Your Fears,” given by the Rev. Joseph Hirsch, director of Vocations for the Diocese of LaCross, Wis., and founder of the music ministry known as Heartstrings. Hirsch’s talk will focus on facing the fears within and the sacrament of reconciliation. Hirsch is an accomplished singer and guitarist and will use these talents in his presentation.
Talk 3 is titled “Face Your Lover” given by Jason Evert and Crystalina Padilla, well-known speakers on Chastity for Catholic Answers. Evert is the author of the book “Pure Love” and host of a monthly radio show on “Catholic Answers Live.” Evert and Padilla are engaged and give witness through their example.
The final talk will be “Face Him,” given by the Rev. John Amsberry from the Archdiocese of Portland. Ore. Amsberry talks about the infinite, unconditional, relentless and tender love of God.
Nationally known Christian band “In Situ,” (Latin for “in position”), from the diocese of Houma-Thibodaux will perform a Christian rock concert at dinner. The Slidell-based band Seraphim will perform throughout the day for the different liturgies.
Brian Butler and his Christian rock band from New Orleans will perform at lunch. Butler is a teacher at Rummel High School and co-founder of Dumb Ox Productions, an organization that aims to reach young people with a message of hope and truth through entertainment and education. Butler, along with William Bennett, wrote this year’s theme song, “Face to Face.” Butler also will offer skits and interactive intervals throughout the day.
New Orleans Archbishop Alfred Hughes will be the main concelebrant at the 11 a.m. Mass, assisted by Abbot Justin Brown of the abbey. The Rev. Charles Benoit will serve as liturgical coordinator. The evening will conclude with a candle-light adoration service.
The youth festival is sponsored by St. Joseph Abbey and Seminary College, with the help of grants from the Donum Dei Foundation of New Orleans, the Gloria Shearin and the Ivy A. Smith Jr. Charitable Trust of New Orleans and the Knights of Columbus state office.
Online registration is available at www.abbeyfest.org, or by calling 867-2254. Registration will be available at the gate for $20. All participants must have a completed liability release form in order to be admitted.
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Abbey Youth Fest 2003
by Julie Mickles (Baton Rouge Commentator)
It looked like Woodstock, except there was no nudity, profanity, drugs or alcohol. But, there was a big open field filled with thousands of young people, who were jumping up and down to very loud music being played by scruffy looking guys with long hair. There were also dozens of priests, quite a few nuns, some Bibles, an archbishop and lots of praise and worship. It was Abbey Youth Fest 2003, held Saturday, March 22 on the grounds of St. Joseph Abbey and Seminary College near Covington.
For the third year in a row the monks, priests and seminarians of St. Joseph played host to almost 3,000 teen-agers from seven states. With blankets and sun-shading umbrellas, they sprawled out in an open field and listened to presentations based on the theme “Seek Him Face to Face.”
Speakers included Brian Johnson, director of youth ministry for the Diocese of Galveston/Houston; Father Joseph Hirsch, vocations director of the Diocese of LaCrosse, Wis.; Father John Amesbury, a priest from the Archdiocese of Portland, Ore.; and Jason Evert and Crystalina Padilla, nationally known chastity advocates. Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes was also on hand to celebrate the outdoor Mass.
The evening concert was performed by In Situ, a Christian rock band from the Diocese of Houma/Thibodaux. Seraphim, a Catholic praise and worship band from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, provided music for both the Mass and the evening Benediction service.
