World Youth Day

Academy of Our Lady Students Attend World Youth Day

By Senior Taylor Hamback

Imagine standing in the midst of a crowd, filled with teenagers. These teenagers are worshiping God to the fullest extent, singing His praises and glorifying His most holy name. At the annual World Youth Day celebration, held every November, this is exactly what you could find hundreds of teenagers doing and much more.

On Sunday, November 3, 30 of our fellow penguins attended this celebration held on behalf of the CYO/Youth & Young Adult Ministry Office and Teen C.R.O.S.S, the Archdiocesan youth council.

“At World Youth Day, you can listen to keynote speakers and attend presentations to learn important issues like abortion or how to become a better Catholic,” senior Rebecca Dobson said.

World Youth Day includes inspirational speakers, workshops to deepen the faith and to discuss teen issues, celebration of the Eucharist with Archbishop Gregory Aymond and prayer opportunities.

“My favorite part about World Youth Day was being able to participate as a volunteer for Teen C.R.O.S.S CYO,” senior Mallory Hines said. “I was able to see it from an inside perspective and I got to not only see the high school students that were there, but the middle school students as well,” she said.

This year’s World Youth Day theme was “Fiat”, which was Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel when he told her that God had a plan for her. Through the example of Mary, participants are empowered to give their lives over to the Lord. “Fiat” means thy will be done.

The overall goal of World Youth Day is to join young people from across the New Orleans area to celebrate the young Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.



Back Row (left to right): Senior Hailey Mayeaux, junior Molly Adams, senior Rebecca Dobson, junior Abigail Melling, senior Bella Pscenicka, sophomore Olivia DiCarlo, sophomore Brooklyn Stansbury, sophomore Jayden Jackson, sophomore Christine Pham, sophomore Maria Kause, sophomore Laura Nguyen and faculty member Marissa Browne.
 
Middle Row (left to right): Principal Sr. Michelle Geiger, FMA; junior Jessica Comeaux, junior Traci Chesterman, junior Ally Price, junior Olivia Marque, junior Stefani Monfra, freshman Courtney Comeaux, sophomore Helen Nguyen, junior Paige Chaisson and faculty member Genia Roper.
 
Front Row (left to right): Junior Alexis Mailhos, junior Kathryn McCormick, junior Brooke Bourg, junior Janette Pina and junior Catherine Reyes.











This post was written by Academy of Our Lady senior Taylor Hamback