Home / News & Publications / Michigan Catholic News / 2008 / Teens inspired to 'Be Him to Others'
Teens inspired to 'Be Him to Others'
Rainbow weekend filled with faith, fun and fellowship
by Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
Published February 29, 2008
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Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic
Jesse Manibusan, a lay evangelist and musician who was featured at this year's Rainbow conference, plays "Lean on Me" during a jam session as teens sing along using gestures. |
Detroit — Be yourself. Have fun. Show your passion for Christ.
Two thousand teenagers at this year's Catholic Youth Organization Rainbow conference didn't have to be given this message twice. As they do each year, Catholics from youth groups throughout the archdiocese gathered Feb. 23-24 at the Renaissance Center in Detroit for a weekend of worship and fellowship that's organized by teenagers, for teenagers.
"Rainbow is just a great place," said 17-year-old Matthew Duprey, an attendee with Guardian Angels Parish in Clawson. "You come and you're with a lot of kids who share the same beliefs you do. You get to step out of society for a while, and you don't have to deal with people being fake or putting on masks.
"You can be yourself here and show your fire for God."
That's just what attendees of the 26th annual conference did. On two floors of the Marriott Hotel, teenagers were dancing to live music; learning about their Catholic heritage or matters of social justice; spending quiet time with the Lord in a eucharistic chapel; playing games with friends, new and old, in the hallways; and attending a Mass celebrated by Detroit Auxiliary Bishop John Quinn.
"What a great sign of hope you are to our world," said Bishop Quinn during his homily at Mass on Saturday evening. "And what a great, great gift you are to our faith community." All the events at this year's Rainbow were tied to the theme "Be Him to Others," decided upon by the CYO youth council — a group of teens from various youth groups who planned, organized and facilitated Rainbow with the aid of adult volunteers.
"It feels really great to see everyone coming together after all the hard work that everybody's put into the conference," said Carrie Rice, 16, a member of the CYO leadership council and a parishioner at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Newport. "It feels good just bringing everybody closer together and helping them get in touch with their faith."
Each year, the young organizers choose topics to address and bring in keynote speakers. This year, the conference featured popular lay evangelist Jesse Manibusan from the Diocese of Oakland, Calif. Manibusan, through music, comedy and storytelling, encouraged attendees to thank God for their lives, and to not be afraid to step out of their comfort zones to bring Christ to others.
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Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic
Teenagers wave their arms during a jam session at Rainbow XXVI. Attendees, who were high school-aged, say the annual conference gives them a way to make friends, have fun and grow in their faith. |
Then, he jammed with them on the guitar. "His music is so cool, and I like how he can jazz it up and get everyone involved," said Sarah Amyot of St. Isidore Parish in Macomb Township, who was on hand to dance to some Christian music and some classics that Manibusan, and even some of the Rainbow attendees, played onstage.
Aside from motivation, the youths were given plenty of information about their faith. In a series of breakout sessions, they learned about a myriad of topics, including leadership, forgiveness, death and grief, the Church of the east, and environmental stewardship. Everyone was on hand, as well, to learn about the tragedy of human trafficking from Sr. Durstyne Farnan, OP, during an all-inclusive general session Saturday afternoon.
Amanda Reiss, a 16-year-old from St. Lawrence Parish in Utica, said the conference was a great way to learn more about her faith.
"Just the fact that we can get so many Catholic teenagers in the same spot at the same time, and learn new things about our religion — it's just amazing," Amanda said. "It shows us that you share your faith with other people your age, and you're not alone."
Her younger brother, Drew, agreed.
"It shows me a lot of other people are trying to be Him to others also, and it shows me how to be more like Him to others," said Drew, 14.
Sam Brown, a 14-year-old from St. Perpetua Parish in Waterford Township, said he appreciates the youth-centered atmosphere Rainbow provides. It's not just another Sunday Mass, he said.
"This is 100 percent for the youth, so you get a better experience out of it than just going to Mass," said Sam. "We have songs, and we have Jesse, who's amazing. It helps you come closer not only with your peers, but with your faith."
Fifteen-year-old David Mann from Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Taylor, agreed.
"You go to church every weekend and you worship," David said, "but with this you get a deeper connection. You always come out of here feeling like a better Catholic."
Erika Wilson, also a 15-year-old from Our Lady of the Angels, Taylor, said she also likes that everybody at Rainbow has common ground in Christ.
"At school and stuff a lot of kids don't go to church, so you really can't talk about (your faith)," Erika said. "But here, you can."
The conference appeared to have an impact on many of the participants, even before the weekend was over. Cindy Willman, an adult member of the "A Team" — the group of adults who mentor the teenagers who plan the conference — said the feedback she received was uplifting.
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Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic
Teens from a youth group meet in the hallway between programs at the Rainbow conference. |
"The kids worked really hard, and I think they are seeing positive results to all the work they've done all year," said Willman. "I've been hearing from youth ministers, adult chaperones, the kids themselves — they're very touched by it. It's hitting home for them, and it's hitting a lot of them at a time when they need to be getting the message that they're getting."Youth ministers attested to that, as well. Cathy Dockery, a youth minister from St. Kenneth Parish in Plymouth, said her youth group is energized by Rainbow.
"For the next couple of weeks, we're going to be so geeked at our youth groups," Dockery said. "It's going to be crazy. It does a lot. God's just bringing us all together."
And uniting youths in Christ is the goal, said D'Angelo Walker, a member of the CYO youth council and a student at De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren.
"You know you're making a big difference in kids' hearts, and turning them toward God," said D'Angelo, 17. "It feels great."
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