Faith First:
Bus Breakdown Didn’t Derail Christ-Centered NCYC Journey!
The following is an article for this weekend’s FaithInWV e-bulletin (FaithInWV.org)
The Clarksburg area delegation began their National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) journey long before they arrived in Indianapolis—gathering at Immaculate Conception Parish at 4:30 a.m. for a 6 a.m. departure. But when their charter bus broke down en route to pick them up, their plans took a disappointing shift, delaying their arrival in Indianapolis with the rest of their peers from around the state from early afternoon to after 5:30 p.m. Despite the rocky start, the group which also included several from Charleston, returned from the National Catholic Youth Conference filled with gratitude, joy, and a renewed sense of faith. Throughout the weekend, students and chaperones shared powerful moments of connection—with God, with one another, and with thousands of young Catholics from across the country.
Reflections from the Group
Many participants described a deep spiritual closeness they had never experienced before. “Over two days I felt the closest to God I’ve ever been,” said Angelina Policano, grateful for the opportunity to join the parish pilgrimage. Logan Heslep shared a similar transformation, noting, “I was asked to open up to God… I released myself from the captivity of doubt and came face to face with His love.” Others echoed how the environment strengthened their sense of belonging. As Caroline Lewis put it, “It was such a beautiful experience knowing that all 16,000 of us were there for the same reason: to love and serve our Lord.”
A major theme across reflections was how NCYC showcased the unity of young Catholics. Mariella Policano emphasized the “feeling of unity” among so many young believers, while Josh Beale highlighted the “incredible sense of community.” Piper Fryer said the weekend helped her realize “how many people hold the same beliefs as me and to not be afraid to be open about your faith.” Seeing peers from around the country helped many feel understood—Kaden Lehasky shared that being surrounded by others with the same beliefs “made it feel like I already knew them.”
For countless teens, the most unforgettable moment was Mass with thousands of their peers. Parker Ziecina described the final Mass, remembering “singing, dancing, praying, and worship” with 16,000 other teens. Josef Ricketts said, “Seeing 16,000 people attending Mass… singing all together was the best part of my experience.” Brady Jordan added that it showed him “how strong and alive our faith really is.” For Perla Cortez, the stadium Mass “made me feel closer to God,” while Adrián Salazar especially loved the multilingual liturgy and seeing “many bishops and priests.”
Breakout sessions and speakers made a tremendous impact as well. Emma Yates found the sessions insightful, saying they offered “options and perspectives” that deepened her connection to the Lord. Caroline Arnold appreciated sessions focused on real teen struggles, sharing how helpful it was to hear “a sound Catholic standpoint on a lot of our problems.” Zac Lane said the sessions were “focused on what we go through,” and were among the best parts of his weekend. Colton Wright was especially touched by one message: “God has a plan for all of us and he will guide us on what we need to do.”
For some, keynote speakers were a standout highlight. Araceli Bland said, “They didn’t sugarcoat anything… all 16,000 people cared about you personally through our faith.” Meanwhile, Nolan Power was moved by a session with Pope Leo, especially the reminder of the youth’s role in the Church’s future. Maxwell Wagner also cited Pope Leo as a highlight, saying it was “truly amazing to see so many people… express your faith and adoration for the love of Christ.”
The sense of friendship—new and old—was another blessing of the trip. Katie Moodspaugh said she cherished “the time I got to spend with my friends… and hearing about other Catholics’ experiences.” Aubrey Morrison and Jordan King echoed these feelings, with Jordan reflecting, “I felt like I got so much closer to God and my friends… I hope to go back soon.” Favian Salazar said the experience was “incredible… I was able to make more friends, meet more people and see Pope Leo.”
Some favorite memories were surprisingly simple moments of connection. Brandon Bartlett appreciated how “everyone in that stadium just talked like friends,” while Isaiah Garnek said the kindness of everyone—even the speakers—made him feel at ease. Damian Zacarias admitted he was unsure about attending at first, but left feeling grateful, saying, “I’m so glad… it was such a fun and unforgettable experience.”
Even the fun traditions of NCYC carried deeper meaning. Molly Parrish, a chaperone, shared that the hat-trading culture helped youth “step out of their comfort zone… risk rejection, and experience real joy.” Olivia Wagner said trading hats was one of the best parts of the trip, helping everyone come together in faith.
Chaperones also witnessed how transformative the weekend was. Mark Ziecina reflected, “These kids are not the future, they’re the present.” He was moved seeing thousands of young Catholics “completely invested and making their mark.”
Many teens also described profound spiritual moments during adoration and confession. Madeline Palmer shared that during her penance, she began listing everything she was grateful for and “suddenly had pages.” Aubrey Morrison said confession felt “cleansing and freeing,” and Annagrace Lewis described the entire experience as “refreshing,” helping her feel less alone in her faith journey. Lexi Shaffer said she learned to trust that “God has a path for me,” and grew more confident speaking about her faith.
Several students noted how NCYC helped them understand the Church more deeply. Kimberly Hernandez valued learning about “how the sacraments represent salvation and God’s presence with us.” Leno Reyes said the trip “changed the way of thinking about my religion” and made him feel part of something truly important. Tristan Korn shared that the people and the Masses were what brought him closest to Christ.
Again and again, the group expressed awe at being surrounded by thousands of peers who love God. Alexa Romo appreciated seeing how “you can unite with them in our faith and love for Christ.” Izzy Fittro said hearing others’ stories strengthened her own faith, noting, “I hope to experience it again one day.” Kaden Lehasky and Maxwell Wagner echoed how inspiring it was to see Christ at work in so many lives.
And for many, that shared faith is what they will take home the most. Adrián Salazar loved the beauty of the liturgy, Perla Cortez felt deeply connected to God, and Damian Zacarias said he will never forget the experience. Leno Reyes summarized it well, calling it “something really special and important… as I learned more about my religion.”
Each teen’s reflection reveals a unique journey, yet all point to the same truth: NCYC was a powerful reminder that God is alive in the hearts of young people, and that the Church is vibrant, joyful, and growing—right here and now.
#FaithInWV #NCYC
