Sarah Horwath | The Michigan Catholic
John Thorne enthusiastically leads teens in song during the New Pentecost Project rally at St. Aiden Parish, Livonia.
LIVONIA — Bringing a critical demographic closer to Christ was the goal of a youth rally Oct. 13 at St. Aiden Parish in Livonia.
The New Pentecost Project gathered around 275 people from 30 parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit to take part in song, adoration and reconciliation in what organizers hope is the first of many such events.
Music was a major factor in livening up the atmosphere, and the United in Christ Community Choir was more than up to the task.
John Thorne, director of black Catholic ministries for the archdiocese, led the choir.
“I hope that this evening young people will see that the love of God penetrates everything that we go through in our lives and that the love of God is always there,” he said.
“The joy of the Lord is truly our strength, and that’s why we’re here to celebrate … we’re going to celebrate the awesome power and awesome wonder of God, especially in our own lives.”
Thorne has been directing United in Christ since 2001.
He expressed his strong belief that “God is good all the time and we will always sing his praise.”
Charlene Ward, a soprano and alto singer for United in Christ, was especially excited to be singing for youth.
“It’s always a joy to be asked to sing in front of young people because we know they need us, but we need them as well because they help to keep the fire going,” she said. “We’re always excited to share the good news and to celebrate our faith with people of the same mind, especially the young folk.”
A member of the choir for four years, Ward said music is important in bringing people closer to God because it is a universal language.
“I think that people see themselves and they feel the music, they feel the message and eventually they can see themselves in the Gospel,” she said.
Music wasn’t the only highlight of the night; there also was a chance for adoration and reconciliation for all who attended.
“We’re very excited to have an environment that is very intentional about opening up an invitation for young people to experience a hope and a rebirth in the spirit of their own lives,” said Laura Piccone-Hanchon, associate director of youth ministry for the Archdiocese of Detroit.
She said she hopes the youth rally will be the first of many events for the New Pentecost Project, saying another is in the works for the spring.
John Lajiness, director of faith formation for St. Andrew Parish in Rochester, was the emcee for the evening.
“What this night is all about is really an opportunity to invite young men and women to a deeper ‘yes’ to the Lord,” he said.
Lajiness said his role wasn’t just as an emcee, but as a “matchmaker” between the youth of today and the Lord.
“Here’s you and here’s the Lord, and here’s an opportunity to spend some time with Christ,” he said.
“It’s that kind of openness that I think the Lord really can work with the most.”
Sarah Horwath is a freelance reporter from Windsor, Ontario.
Source:
http://www.themichigancatholic.com/2012/10/music-adoration-confession-kindle-new-pentecost-project/