January 28, 2026

‘I Believe’ Youth Rally set for March 7

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Carolee McGrath

The Diocesan Youth Leadership Team poses for a picture at the Dec. 13 retreat at St. Mary’s High School in Westfield.

SPRINGFIELD – The Diocesan Youth Leadership Team is hosting the “I Believe” youth rally, Saturday, March 7 from 4-7:30 p.m. at Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield. Bishop William D. Byrne will be the keynote speaker. The rally is open to youth in middle school through high school.

The theme of “I believe” was inspired by last year’s youth rally.

“At the end of last year’s youth rally, Father Stan Achu, the diocesan youth leadership team chaplain, sang the song ‘You Say’ by Lauren Daigle while kneeling in front of the monstrance during Adoration. It was an amazing and profound moment as he sang the beautiful lyrics to Jesus present before us,” said Joe Asutin, the director of the Office of Missionary Discipleship which oversees youth, college, young adult and family ministry.

“(He sang) ‘I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough.’ And ‘You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing.’ How many youth today wrestle with those very lines and how does that keep them from being open to Gods love for them? This year we’re going to break that open with the 2026 Diocesan Youth Rally with the theme ‘I Believe,” Austin said.

The rally will include music by Psalm 33, games, prayer, and eucharistic adoration. The Fun Zone opens at 7:30 p.m. with dinner and snacks included.

“What is keeping us from Believing? What is keeping us from saying yes to God? What is keeping us from believing that He loves us? Come find out,” Austin said.

To register, go to westernmassCatholic.org/youthrally