Youth leaders share their hearts and faith with teens at NCYC and grow in both

INDIANAPOLIS (OSV News) -- Some people will question the sanity of an adult who willingly agrees to be a leader for three days or more for a group of teenagers at a national conference of 15,000 youths.

Katie Tipker even added to the degree of difficulty for that assignment by choosing to bring her 8-month-old son, George, to the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis Nov. 20-22 -- the conference where she is leading 18 youths from St. John Paul II Parish in Sellersburg, Indiana.

Yet instead of viewing it all as a challenge, Tipker flashed a beautiful smile when she shared how she considers the NCYC experience as an opportunity and a blessing to help lead the youths deeper into their Catholic faith and closer in their relationship with Christ.

"I like seeing the excitement they have for the Lord, and the passion that they come back to the parish with," said Tipker, who is assisted by four chaperones, including her husband, George. "Even the kids who I think, ‘Man, they didn't get anything out of it,' months later I hear stories of how it impacted them and totally changed their faith journey."

An NCYC highlight this year is the unique digital encounter between Pope Leo XIV and American youth Nov. 21. His 45-minute dialogue with the attendees at Lucas Oil Stadium will mark the first time in history a pope has been a part of a digital encounter with American young people.

Organized by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, NCYC also includes general sessions, breakout workshops, Masses and opportunities for confession.

For Tipker, sharing the conference with the youths also has a powerful impact on her faith.

"It reignites my faith," Tipker, the parish's director of communications, told The Criterion, Indianapolis' archdiocesan news outlet. "I was born and raised Catholic. I don't have that ‘wow' moment that some people have. For me, seeing them having powerful moments with Christ, those are my powerful moments.

"It makes me go back to my work reinvigorated. It makes me be lit on fire again in my faith journey. I really get to see God's presence at work in everyday life."

Cara Lipinski shares that feeling. During this year's NCYC -- her seventh -- the youth minister at Divine Mercy Parish in Massillon, Ohio, in the Diocese of Youngstown, is helping to lead 27 youths.

"I continue to see and hear teenagers who tell me their lives have changed here, and this is a pivotal moment in their faith journey," Lipinski said. "For me, that's super important to continue offering them the opportunity to be here.

"Typically, the key moments here for them are adoration and Mass. Those are the big moments for them to see how many people are sharing with them in their faith. To hear them say how their life has been changed is pretty convincing."

NCYC also has an impact on her faith.

"It's a boost for my journey as well, to know that something we're doing is making a difference," she said. "But it's also a good time for us as youth ministers to get away and reflect on our journey and take some time for ourselves in prayer, away from home and with our kids."

For Gregory Gust, this year's NCYC is his first. The assistant director for faith formation for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia is helping to lead 98 youths.

"I hope this helps them to draw closer to Christ," he said. "To gain an understanding that the Church is relevant and very much alive today, that it's accessible for young people. I hope they'll be ignited by the Holy Spirit and go forth and make disciples.Getting to see young people thriving and living genuine and authentic Catholic lives, that brings me so much joy."

Cuquis Romero shares one special quality of NCYC for her as a youth leader.

"I can feel God's presence at every NCYC," said Romero, who is leading 39 youths there as the director of young adult ministry at St. Patrick Parish in Indianapolis.

"For me, NCYC is the biggest national event for the Catholic youth. And it's the best. I love this," said Romero, who is experiencing her seventh NCYC. "I can see the faith of the teenagers and how they want to be part of this. I can see the light on their faces. And they pray, especially during adoration time. They share with me their faith, their goodness. I give my faith to them, too."

Youth leaders at NCYC also give their hearts, their patience and their guidance to the youths in their groups. And even their moments of exasperation and near-exhaustion are offered up to God, for the sake of the teenagers.

"I love to see how the kids react when they see the big church and the fact there's so many other young Catholics just like them," said Beth Pifer, coordinator of religious education and youth ministry at St. Ambrose Parish in Seymour, Indiana. "I think adoration is the best part -- and the closing Mass. I love to see everybody together and praying together. I've seen a lot of impact."

One of her favorite moments from her four times of leading a group at NCYC came months later when a youth was preparing to receive the sacrament of confirmation. In a letter to Indianapolis Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, the youth shared how he "felt the presence of Jesus during adoration" at NCYC -- and how that feeling had stayed with him ever since.

"That makes me happy," Pifer said.

So does the entire NCYC experience.

"It's wonderful," she said. "It's beautiful to see so many young, devoted Catholic youths.

"They're the future."