December 1, 2025

Local teens say National Catholic Youth Conference was ‘life changing’

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – Teenagers from the Diocese of Springfield who traveled to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis Nov. 20-22 said the experience was “life changing.” Twenty-two high school students from St. Elizabeth Parish in Ludlow; St, Francis of Assisi Parish in Belchertown; and the Catholic Community of Westfield attended NCYC. The retreat, which is held every other year, features renowned Catholic speakers and musicians. This year, in a historic appearance, Pope Leo XIV zoomed in, holding a live question and answer session with the more than 16,000 young people from across the country in attendance.

“NCYC was such an important event because not only did it help me grow in my own faith, it allowed me to share my love of Jesus with others,” said Claire Corbin, who traveled with the St. Francis of Assisi group.

“I also got lots of opportunities to learn more about Jesus, the saints, and Catholicism as a whole from many different exhibitions and people. I am eternally grateful for all of my new friends and the ones I grew closer to within the convention,” said Corbin who is a junior at Belchertown High School.

The conference began as a regional retreat in 1983. It is now held on the East and West coasts every other year attracting as many as 20,000 young people each year.

“NCYC is an experience I’ll carry with me forever. It helped me grow in my faith in a way I didn’t expect and really understand what my relationship with God means. Throughout the weekend, I felt surrounded by so much love, joy, and encouragement. I met incredible people and built friendships that now mean so much to me,” said Rebecca Keeler, a sophomore at Belchertown High School and member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. “There were moments that made me stop and realize that God is really present in my life, even when I don’t always notice it. I’m leaving feeling stronger, more connected, and excited to keep living out my faith every day.”

The speakers included Sister Miriam James Heidland, of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT). Sister Miriam, as she is known, was a Division 1 college athlete who had a radical conversion. She has spoken at Steubenville and SEEK conferences, and is the host of the podcast, “Abiding Together.” Bishop Joseph Espaillat, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York also spoke. He is known as the “rapping bishop,” and spoke at the Diocesan Youth Rally in Springfield last March.

The highlight of the conference for many was the live encounter with Pope Leo the morning of Nov. 21.

“NCYC was a life changing experience. I was surrounded by 16K Catholic teens from all over the United States, all there to grow in their faith. It’s a comfort to know that so many kids my age are living the faith,” said Christian Reda, a sophomore at Belchertown High School and member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish.

“Pope Leo’s live conversation was truly inspiring and was a highlight of NCYC. I had so much fun trading hats, laughing, dancing, and talking with people, but I also appreciated the quiet time to pray during adoration, attend reconciliation, and the closing Mass,” he said.

The teenagers traveled with youth group leaders from all three Catholic communities.

“As a leader, it is amazing to see the transformation that the Holy Spirit works in our young people during NCYC,” said Melissa Hurst, the director of high school/Confirmation faith formation at St. Francis of Assisi Parish.

“They come with all their stresses and heartbreaks, but leave with a newfound inner joy in Christ. They also realize they are not alone in a different way – that Christ is always there with them, but that they also have a community of young people who will support them along the way,” Hurst said.

The conference had daily Mass, eucharistic adoration, and an exhibit hall where young people from across the country could engage with each other in a more informal way through games and team building activities.

“All of the talks were amazing, but I think my favorite was Sister Miriam James Heidland’s talk she gave to us before we had adoration on Friday night,” said Nadia Rose Conrad, a freshman at St. Mary High School in Westfield and parishioner at St. Elizabeth Parish in Ludlow.

“I was personally having a kind of rough day on Friday from starting to feel all of the exhaustion from everything we had been doing and when she came onto the stage and started talking about how we need to give all of our pains and suffering and problems to God, it felt like she was talking to me personally… Her talk helped me get ready for Adoration where I could just give all of my exhaustion and troubles to God and just thank him for being such a loving father,” she said.

The next NCYC is scheduled for Nov. 20-21 in Long Beach, Calif.