The Christ Cathedral campus recently welcomed staff and volunteers from Young Life, a worldwide ministry devoted to helping middle school, high school and college students find Jesus and invite Him into their lives.
The special visitors celebrated Mass and toured the iconic grounds on Jan. 6.
A DOCENT POINTS OUT PARTS OF CHRIST CATHEDRAL TO MEMBERS OF THE YOUNG LIFE MINISTRY, WHO WERE IN ANAHEIM FOR THEIR QUADRENNIAL CONFERENCE ON JAN. 6. PHOTOS BY LOU PONSI/ DIOCESE OF ORANGE
They were in town to attend the organization’s quadrennial convention, 1YL, from Jan. 6 to 10 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS FROM YOUNG LIFE, A WORLDWIDE MINISTRY DEVOTED TO HELPING ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS STRENGTHEN THEIR FAITH THROUGH A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST, APPEAR IMPRESSED AS THEY TAKE IN THE EXPANSIVE DESIGN AND BEAUTY OF CHRIST CATHEDRAL.
Through workshops, Bible studies and guest speakers, the 1YL conference takes place to build fellowship among the staff and volunteers, celebrate accomplishments over the past four years and provide a preview of the upcoming four years, said Marisa Avramovich, U.S. initiatives coordinator for Young Life.
With the convention center being less than three miles away from Christ Cathedral, more than 100 Young Life staff members and volunteers made the short trip visit.
A GROUP OF STAFF MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS FROM YOUNG LIFE CAPTURE THE BEAUTY OF THE OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE MOSAIC INSIDE CHRIST CATHEDRAL
“Since we’re so close, and it is such a beautiful campus, we happened to bring people here,” said Avramovich, a former parishioner at Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point. “It’s Epiphany, so we wanted people to have an opportunity to go to Mass and enjoy the tour.”
Fr. Steve Sallot, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels in Newport Beach, presided over the Mass, which was held at the Freed Performing Arts Theatre on the Christ Cathedral campus.
A STAFF MEMBER FROM THE YOUNG LIFE MINISTRY TAKES A PHOTO OF THE PANTOCRATOR TAPESTRY INSIDE CHRIST CATHEDRAL ON JAN. 6. PHOTO BY LOU PONSI/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
“When I was asked to come and do this Mass, I said sure,” said Fr. Sallot. “I was honored. They know how to reach kids and that’s what’s so important. It’s amazing what Young Life has done.”
He was joined by Avramovich’s father, Deacon Michael Stock of St. Edward the Confessor in Dana Point, and Deacon Nathan Gunn of the Diocese of Syracuse in New York.
Following Mass, the special visitors were free to tour the 34-acre Christ Cathedral campus.
The first stop for most of them was the 2,700-seat, 12-story tall Christ Cathedral.
“This is so unique,” said Craig Gould, who works for Young Life Catholic Relations at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana and was visiting Christ Cathedral for the first time. “I think that one of the things I noticed was the many different cultural images of Mary. Such a cultural home.”
With a staff of 5,000 employees and 80,000 volunteers, Young Life is active in 112 countries.
In addition to engaging with young students through partnerships with schools, churches and community groups, Young Life also has focus ministries that serve teen moms and students with disabilities.
One ministry, Young Life One, serves children who have been trafficked, were homeless, incarcerated or in the foster care system.
“We try to think of every kid and how we can be mindful and intentional to go towards them so that they can hear about who Jesus is,” said Avramovich, who was a member of Young Life as a child.
Deacon Stock’s wife, Rosie, was also a member of Young Life as a youngster.
“Then when we got married, I heard all this stuff about Young Life and I had to get us back involved,” Deacon Stock said. “So, she got back involved, leading clubs, and so are our daughter and our son.”
Young Life is intentional about building relationships with its young members and teaching them about Jesus Christ, Deacon Stock said, not simply through preaching and activities within the specific ministries but by being involved in some of their everyday activities.
In December, Young Life received a letter from Cardinal Christopher Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio (or ambassador to the United States), on behalf of His Holiness Pope Francis, offering praise and blessings to the Young Life conference.
An excerpt from the letter stated: “His Holiness is confident, that, in this way, young people will respond generously to Christ’s call to share the joy, truth and beauty of the Gospel with the families, friends and wider society, placing their gifts and talents at the service of God’s kingdom of justice, fraternal solidarity and peace.”
To learn more, visit https:// younglife.org/