The weekend of March 16-17, youth group students from all across the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings gathered together in Lewistown to enjoy the Diocesan Youth Event themed “The Saints and the Sacraments.” Various speakers were present to discuss specific saints and how they practiced the sacramental life, ultimately aiding them to achieving sainthood. Keynote speaker Dan Harms, a national Catholic speaker from Virginia, highlighted the event with his speech and provided music for eucharistic adoration and Mass. Harms is nationally known for his ministry and has spoken at numerous Steubenville conferences over the years, where he was connected to students in the diocese that attended. The event was planned by a student advisory board that decided on the theme, meals, speakers, and schedules with the oversight of the Diocesan Youth Coordinator, Jessica Brown of Billings. Five Billings Central students were in attendance in addition to others from around the city’s parishes.
The Diocesan Youth Event kicked off Saturday afternoon at St. Leo’s Parish Center in Lewistown with lunch. Students participated in various activities including a keynote address, small group sessions, and breakout talks. Harms spoke on vocations and Bl. Stanley Rother; Harms was a fan favorite with his storytelling skills and musical integration. Diocesan layperson Daria Haney spoke on Bl. Chiara Badano and confirmation with a researched talk. Sean Kahn, a BC substitute teacher, gave an engaging talk about St. Padre Pio and reconciliation, which was a good opportunity for students to listen to a young person speak on his faith. Finally, a hometown priest from St. Pius X Parish, Fr. Martin Ezeihuaku, spoke on the Eucharist and Bl. Carlos Acutis. Students on the planning committee selected holy men and women with special connections to the sacraments that were spoken on in the sessions. After breakout sessions, dinner was served, and the students enjoyed a special time in the sanctuary area for a talk by Fr. Dave Wilkins and then adoration & reconciliation with Wilkins, Ezeihuaku, Bishop Fleming, and Fr. Samuel Spiering, St. Leo’s home pastor. Sunday consisted of a breakfast together, a listening session with Bishop Fleming, a Q&A with the speakers, and a concluding Mass at St. Leo’s.
BCCHS sophomore Sage Sebastian was involved in the planning of the event and was happy with the way it turned out to help her and her peers on their respective faith journeys. “I was able to get to know God and others of the faith, which made me more well-rounded,” said Sebastian. Sebastian encouraged others to participate in the next year’s event because of her experience. “Do it, because you may get something out of it or you may not. Either way, it is time well-spent, because it is spent with God.” Sebastian also said that she enjoyed adoration and confession the most.
Planning for next year’s event will begin in August when planning board members will meet at St. Thomas Camp to discuss ideas.
