Called Youth Conference draws nearly 300

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

Nearly 300 students in seventh to 12th grades from 13 parishes attended the Called Youth Conference held Nov. 2 at St. Joseph Parish in Granville.

Delores Huemiller, diocesan faith formation coordinator who planned the event with a team of directors of religious education, said they received positive feedback about the speaker’s talks and were thankful Bishop John E. Keehner was on hand for Mass and hearing confessions.

“I hope they came away with knowing that they can live a life in relationship with Christ even when it is hard. I hope they took advantage of confession opportunities. And I hope they came away encouraged and knowing that God loves them,” she said.

The day included a balance of activities from keynote presentations to prayers at the cemetery for All Souls Day, adoration, confession, a service project preparing Thanksgiving meal kits, games and Mass with the bishop closed the day. 

Something more
Keynote speaker Braden Johnson tied into the theme of the conference for his first talk that 

Braden Johnson gives a talk at Called.

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he delivered to both middle and high school students. The theme was based on Isaiah 43:1 – “Do not fear; … I have called you by name, you are mine.”

The speaker conveyed the message about the importance of living with purpose and for something more than just fitting in.

He spoke about being bullied, switching schools in sixth grade and struggling to find his place. By high school Johnson gained success on the basketball team, had a girlfriend and was attending parties – but something still didn’t feel right.

“I was still so anxious and so insecure, and I wasn’t the only one,” noted Johnson, who gives talks at adult and youth conferences throughout the country. “So many of us were struggling and settling.”

During his presentation, Johnson told several stories including one about Tom Brady. Even that football legend who had won several Super Bowls at age 27 had commented in an interview that he thought there was something greater out there for him.

In time, by the time Johnson was a freshman in college he also began to question if there wasn’t something more. He acknowledged that he had been struggling with his faith for some time but eventually was drawn to pray in silence in the church by his home. 

“Jesus was calling me towards himself,” said the speaker who noted that in the past he would do anything not to be silent as a way to avoid being stuck with his own thoughts. Time alone in prayer not only drew him closer to Jesus but provided healing.

As Johnson closed his keynote, he reminded the youth that they were made for something more and called to something more.

“Reflect on the life that Jesus is calling you to,” he said.

Other talks
In addition to the main keynote where all students attended, Johnson gave separate talks to middle school students and high schools.

Love and relationships was the topic of the high school presentation where Johnson spoke about “understanding the love we are made for.”

He told the story of his friend Mark who had turned down a girl who threw herself at him, telling her she was worth more than that. It angered her and throughout college she never spoke to Mark again, but years later she thanked him. The woman’s husband even made a point to shake his hand and thank Mark for his gesture years earlier.

Johnson reminded the high schoolers that they were called to virtue and chastity – called to wait for sex until marriage so they can give “the total gift of self that is meant to last a lifetime.”

Just as Mark’s actions assisted the young woman to draw to virtue, the speaker asked them to set boundaries and help others on the path of virtue.

In his talk to middle schoolers, Johnson focused his message on the importance of having a mission in their lives and being aware of how God is working in their lives.

He gave them examples of an everyday man who helped to make a difference during attack on Sept. 11, 2001 as well as St. (Mother) Teresa of Calcutta who cared for the poorest of the poor. 

By living a mission, the speaker stressed to them that they can “help transform the world.” 

Praying at the cemetery
With the youth conference being held on All Souls Day, part of the days experience was

Father Travis Crotty at the cemetery.

praying in the parish cemetery for the souls of the dearly departed.Father Travis Crotty and Father Zach Jones each led groups of students through the order for visiting a cemetery that included a Scripture reading, Psalm 25, litany of saints and various other prayers.

“My dear friends, we gather today to pray for our brothers and sisters whose bodies lie here in rest,” each of the priests had stated. “They have passed from death to life in company with the Lord Jesus, who died and rose to new life, and are purified now of their faults. We pray that God may welcome them among all the saints in heaven.”

The priests also explained the indulgences that could be obtained that day.

Father Crotty told the students to be confident that death has no victory – death is not the end.

Mass with bishop
Bishop Keehner opened his homily with the passage Luke 23:42 when the criminal said: “Jesus, remember me when I come into your kingdom.” The bishop acknowledged those are the words that express the hope of Christians - that the Lord will have mercy on our souls – and tie in well with the meaning of death and resurrection.

Bishop John E. Keehner celebrates Mass.Remembering the faithful departed on All Souls Day, he said the gathering served as a reminder “that we are part of a larger story. We are members of a community that extends out not only geographically but also in time. We are connected each to the other with bonds so strong not even death can destroy them.”The bishop also recognized the faith that bonded the congregation.

“If we accept the faith handed down to us, then our memories must be allowed to challenge us as well as console us,” he stated.

When the criminal had asked Jesus to remember him, Bishop Keehner reminded the congregation that Jesus responded with love and compassion in saying, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The bishop assured the faithful that despite of our failings and sins, “we, too, will be remembered. We, too, will share in the resurrection and take our places at the heavenly banquet where we will join the faithfully departed and all those who have gone before us.”

Priest concelebrants for the liturgy were Father Crotty, Father Jones, Father Mark Stoll and Father Dan Greving, pastor of Granville St. Joseph. These priests also heard confessions.

Reaction by attendees
Brissia Gonzalez, a seventh grader from St. Mary Church in Rock Valley, said it was not only fun but she enjoyed meeting people from other towns.

“We got to experience a lot and got to create a rosary,” she said, adding there was a nice balance between fun and prayer.Bentley Groen, an eighth grader from St. Michael Church in Kingsley, said the conference was fun.

“It was different from anything else I have experienced in a while,” he said. “There were a lot of opportunities to be a part of the event.”

For Danica Schmidt of Rock Valley, the opportunity to participate in adoration and attend confession was meaningful for her. Praying in the cemetery was a new experience for her and she learned the importance of praying for those who have died.

Valentina Munoz, also a seventh grader from Rock Valley, said what stood out to her most was how nice everyone was. Plus, she liked all of the activities and valued the message of the speaker that will help her build on her faith.

The 2026 Called Conference is slated for Nov. 1 next year on All Saints Day.

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