Electric, Unforgettable, Unmistakably Catholic:
The NCYC Experience, Transforming the Church Now!Something electric happened inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis last week—something more powerful than any concerts, louder than the cheers for a winning touchdown, and deeper than the booming bass pulsing through 16,000 young Catholics gathered for the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC).
It was the unmistakable sound of THE CHURCH FULLY ALIVE.
For three unforgettable days, more than 120 youth from WV gathered with 16,000 teens from across the country. They sang, prayed, laughed, danced, asked big questions, and encountered the living God together.
From the outside, NCYC looked like a huge Catholic party (and yes, it absolutely was). But from the inside? It was something far more powerful – it was a world-shifting, heart-transforming encounter with Jesus Christ.
A Historic First: Pope Leo XIV Speaks Directly to NCYC Youth….
Making history, the Holy Father joined the teens live in an interactive digital conversation broadcast to millions on EWTN.
Pope Leo XIV didn’t deliver a distant speech. He answered their questions, laughed with them, listened to them, and spoke to them as a shepherd speaks to his flock.
His message was clear, personal, and powerful:
“You are the present of the Church. Your voices—your presence—matters. Be active. Say yes to Church opportunities!”
He urged young people to:
• bring Christ’s love home,
• pray for one another,
• seek Jesus in the quiet moments,
• talk to Him each morning and night,
• and remember the guiding love of Mary.
And then he gave a line to empower every soul in that the stadium:
“Remember—we weren’t made for comfort. We were made for greatness.”
The roar that followed the Holy Father’s final blessing was only second to the excitement of his live greeting. Both shook the banners in the rafters.
The Greatest Cathedral in America:
There were moments when the stadium sounded like a concert—and moments when it became hushed and still as a quaint chapel.
At Mass the thousands became one voice, praising God in unison, uniting with faithful around the world.
During the Eucharistic procession and holy hour, a wave seemed to come over the crowd as
16,000 strong profoundly bowed or fell to their knees on the concrete floor, honoring the Real Presence of Christ. The diocesan, parish, and school leaders from Clarksburg, Bridgeport, Weston, Charleston, South Charleston, Parkersburg, Wheeling and surrounding areas experienced a true embrace of the Holy Spirit as they watched their students connect with Christ. For in that moment although among a vast crowd it was as if they were alone with the Savior.
So, yes, in these moments, Lucas Oil Stadium became the largest, greatest cathedral in America.
Breathtaking moments continued at breakout sessions, hallways, and the exhibit hall seeing teens waiting in confession lines that stretched and zigzagged around the room and across hallways. Students huddled in prayer randomly everywhere—concourse floors, stairwells, hallways, seats – some prompted others sincere spontaneity.
WV Youth Represented Joy, Prayer, and Spirit:
The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston’s delegation showed up with enthusiasm and heart. They prayed hard, sang louder, and represented you, West Virginia Church, with pride and sincerity.
They carried your prayers with them, and they carried Christ back home.
Let us learn from them.
Let us pray for them.
Let us thank God for them.
These young people are the Church. Right now. Today.
Voices From WV Youth: Faith Alive in Their Own Words….
Brandon Miller, Senior, Central Catholic HS/Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish (Wheeling)
“I wish my friends could have experienced the community here… the Eucharistic miracles, the Liturgy of the Hours. NCYC has been spiritually moving for me. Our mission as the young Church is to keep the integrity of the Church and ignite the Holy Spirit within our souls.”
Grace Przybysz, Freshman, Central Catholic HS/St. Michael Parish (Wheeling)
“Meeting new people, deepening my faith, experiencing it alive—it was unforgettable. Pope Leo reminded us we’re not too young to matter. Our influence begins now. We have fresh ideas the Church needs. No one is too small to make a difference.”
John Brady Jordan, Senior, Notre Dame HS (Clarksburg)/St. Patrick Parish (Weston)
“After NCYC, ‘I AM’ reminds me God is always with me. Even when I feel small, my identity is rooted in Him—not what others think.”Witnessing the Movement – Unforgettable Moments:
Andrew Myers, Campus Minister Parkersburg Catholic HS/St. Francis Xavier Parish/Hidden Gems Ministry (Parkersburg)
“The next generation of Catholics in WV showed up strong. We were loved, taught, inspired. Now we must bring the fire home. I’m committed to fanning that flame across the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.”
Sr. Maria Rukwishuro, of the Sister of the Infant Jesus (SJI), serving Notre Dame HS/Immaculate Conception Church (Clarksburg)
NCYC was an “amazing experience” the conference was truly EPIC, and I can tell from (the students’) reflections that it had a profound impact on them (be sure to read your FaithInWV for their responses on pages 8-10)
“The music was incredible – it spoke directly to the hearts of our young people! The live Zoom with the Pope was a highlight, and I loved seeing the joy on their faces. Most importantly, I pray that my students felt the love and presence of God and realized they’re not alone in their struggles. (To all who supported this experience for our parishes, schools, and youth groups to attend) THANK YOU, (you gave) them this unforgettable experience. God bless you.”“Jesus Wants Your Hearts” – Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV urged the teens to trust Jesus with their struggles because Christ longs to walk with them:
“We cannot give our problems to someone we barely know. Build a real relationship with Jesus.”
He encouraged them to seek:
• true friends who lead them closer to Christ,
• active engagement in their parishes,
• and opportunities to serve.
“Your voices, your ideas, your faith matter right now.”“God Has Not Changed His Mind About You” – Sr. Miriam James Heidland:
Keynote speaker Sr. Miriam James Heidland, of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), best-selling author, podcaster, national Catholic speaker, and a former Division 1 athlete, pressed deeply into Jesus’ healing love: “At baptism you were marked forever as belonging to Christ. Nothing—nothing—can change that.”
Her message hit home for thousands:
Jesus is not overwhelmed by your fears.
• He is not disappointed in your struggles.
• He looks at you—and loves you.
• He wants to heal the hidden places of your heart.NCYC Was More Than a Conference—It Was a Call!
A call to holiness.
A call to mission.
A call to greatness.
And our young people answered it.
They knelt before their King, stood together as the Church, and left burning with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Let us celebrate them.
Let us pray for them.
And let us join them.
Because the Church is not someday.
The Church is NOW.
#FaithInWV #NCYC
