By Lisa Ormond | FāVS News Reporter
On March 13, over 1,500 high school Catholics from the Northwest will converge in Boise for a Christ-centered weekend called the Idaho Catholic Youth Conference (ICYC). Sponsored by the Diocese of Boise, the annual event is billed as a “transformative event” designed to inspire and equip young people in their faith journey.
According to Andrew Furphy, the director of the Office of Youth and Youth Adult Ministries for the Diocese, the high-energy, community-focused conference is a program priority for current Bishop Rev. Peter Christensen and the Diocese as it has been for decades.
“The bishop believes in ICYC because it transforms lives, which in turn transforms the world we live in from a faith perspective,” said Furphy. “Often you hear teens comment, ‘I encountered Jesus at ICYC, and I’m going to complete my confirmation as a Catholic.’”
Free to be themselves
This year’s theme is “I was blind & now I see” and it is a spiritual bonanza of nonstop action for young Catholics featuring dynamic music, national speakers, entertainment and talks with an emphasis on the engagement of the holy sacraments of the church.
Youth and adult chaperones will come from approximately 50 parishes, the majority from Idaho, but neighboring states of Oregon and Washington will also join in.
Making the trip a reality
Because it serves as a spiritual springboard for faith formation, the event receives guaranteed funding to bring it to life.
“That is why funds from all church communities across the state contribute toward it through the Idaho Capital Appeal,” said Furphy. “It is so important.”
But those funds don’t cover all expenses. And that is why behind the scenes, the journey to the conference begins months in advance at the local church youth group and parish level to generate the necessary monies to pay for the trip.
Registration fees alone cost about $300+ per youth, not counting chaperone and transportation-related expenses. “Most parishes come together within their own communities and cultures to fundraise,” Furphy acknowledged.
“Of course, our parish goal has always been to make sure no student who wants to go to ICYC is left out for any reason,” said St. George’s parish Deacon Vince Perry who oversees the youth group program for his three-church North Idaho area. “We certainly don’t want costs to keep a Catholic youth from being there if we can help it.”
Creative doing and giving
According to Perry, this year about a dozen students will “go on pilgrimage” to the faith-filled encounter thanks to the energies and generosity of many in their church community.
“The group started raising funds months ago to accomplish their goal together,” he said. “It’s been really wonderful and amazing to watch and be a part of.”
This year, St. George’s parish embraced the “call to fundraise” in a most unique way by launching weekly, hands-on workshops for the month of January as a way to bring dollars to youth group coffers, Perry said.
“It is great to see the community support our young people. But more importantly, to see them come together,” said Furphy. “Often these fundraisers become part of the culture of the parish, and the community starts to look forward to the event. It helps create a true community where people belong.”
Father initiated; parish supported
In the past, Perry said the parish teens earned money by serving breakfast meals, making and selling rosaries and other such activities. But this year, it was a bit different with the Rev. Bruno Segatta in the mix.
“He has incredible talents in getting together an event and making it happen,” said Perry. “Father came along and the Holy Spirit took care of that one.”
Segatta proposed four hands-on workshops sponsored by the youth group to raise ICYC funds.
The 83-year-old Segatta shared his perspective.
“All priests have unique talents to offer their church community,” he said. “And with these workshops, I had a chance to use my gifts.”
Wide appeal for all ages
Segatta’s “gifts” along with a love for his church body and Italian heritage translated into four themed-based experiences including painting, ravioli making, bread making and cooking tomato sauce. Simple to follow instructions, fun fellowship, and tangible take-aways were the positive outcomes.
Youth group member Hannah Smith, 17, had nothing but kudos to report about her time spent with Segatta and her parish community.
“I liked the aspect that these were teaching useful, practical skills that could be used in our daily lives,” Smith said. She also said she enjoyed the “community interaction.”
And for Segatta, it was important that the workshops be helpful.
“The last workshop was about learning to make a sauce that is cheap and can feed a family,” he said.
Before the bread-making workshop, Smith decided to approach Segatta asking if she could give a talk about her passion for making and baking sourdough. He encouraged her to step forward.
“I was excited to share with everyone my love for baking this kind of bread, and I gave everyone a sourdough starter to take home with them,” Smith said.
Word spread
St. George’s Parish Office Manager Laura Corbin said the unique fundraisers generated a lot of interest among its three Northern Idaho churches located in Post Falls, Rathdrum and Spirit Lake.
“I heard and sensed parishioners were super enthusiastic about attending these workshops and the group numbers grew weekly,” she said. “For example, there were about 50 people who came out for ravioli making on a cold Tuesday night. That was pretty awesome.” Corbin reported that the ravioli-making-workshop alone raised $1,000 for the youth group ICYC fund.
Blessings beyond the dough
Perry said he was grateful for the parishioners “who showed up and supported” the youth group with attendance, donations and encouragement.
“Everyone pitched in from the start to the finish. They helped set up and then stuck around to lend a hand with clean up, too,” he said. “Such blessings come from these types of service events where Catholics come to gather and unite for a purpose. It’s a beautiful testament of faith.”
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