Youth to soak up life lessons

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & Ethics Writer

Janice Suguitan from St. Elizabeth Church Leeward was one of about 2,000 teenagers at the 2001 Hawai'i Youth and Young Adult Rally sponsored by the Hawaii Catholic Diocese. Advertiser library photo • Nov. 18, 2001 Schedule of events 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. today Hawai'i Convention Center $10 (free after 5:30 p.m.) 528-4238 Schedule: 8:45 a.m. — Opening ceremonies with former Miss America Angela Baraquio-Grey and husband Tinifuloa Grey presiding. Blessing by Bishop Francis DiLorenzo. Keynote speech by Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona.Ê 9:30 a.m. — Rally for youth with song-and-dance numbers and teen presentations on "Beatitudes, New Attitudes." 10 a.m. — Young Adult Conference session with the Rev. Terry Hershey. Noon — Lunch and concert. 1:15 p.m. — Rally with Christian singer-songwriter Kristin Taylor of Tampa, Fla. Young adults to hear Hershey discussing "Living Life With Passion, Purpose, Heart and Grace," and the Rev. Gary Secor discussing "Come Just As You Are, Called Just As You Are." 4 p.m.— Mass by Secor, followed by dinner break. 5:45 p.m. — Free family concert. 9 p.m. — Dance.

A visiting speaker ignited the crowd, she recalled, drawing cheers and screams. Interspersed were contemporary Christian bands, whipping the crowd into a frenzy.

"I felt young again," said the now-30-year-old video teleconferencing coordinator for the military.

This year, Bayne again will be taking part in the biennial Youth and Young Adult Rally, though the venue has been moved to the bigger Hawai'i Convention Center, and a track added just for young adults, who will focus on topics about life lessons while teenagers will listen to Christian rock, watch skits and hear testimonies.

Bayne, who attended the 2001 rally and conference with about 20 members of the Newman Center Holy Spirit Parish youth ministry, will find more workshops and lectures aimed to her. The teenagers will be on the floor above, doing their own thing.

That's by design, said Margaret Uiagalelei, who with her husband, Soane, is coordinating the conference.

"We're expecting everyone from youth to 40-somethings," Uiagalelei said. "This year, we wanted to address the issues of young adults, separate out the meat of program."

Among the speakers for young adults is the Rev. Terry Hershey who will discuss "The Seven Habits of People Who Love Life" and "Living With Passion."

While the rally is sponsored by the Honolulu Roman Catholic diocese, it's open to anyone, Uiagalelei said.

The 2001 event drew more than 2,000 teenagers and a handful of young adults, said Geri Simbahon, who brought an estimated 400 to 500 teens from Waipahu alone.

"They're really enthused when they go — and come back," said the parishioner at St. Joseph's in Waipahu. "They see their life in a different perspective."

This year, more 2,000 people have registered so far, and the walk-ins are likely to take it even higher.

Even with a high turnout, Uiagalelei said, ticket sales won't begin to cover the cost of the conference, which comes to about $85,000 for rental of space, audio-visual equipment, security, transportation from other islands, food and speaker fees. The cost is underwritten by the diocese, which in turn got the money from parishes.

After the rally, if the last one was any indication, Bayne will be more connected with both her group and with her faith.

"I get to interact with all the different churches, from all the different islands," she said.

"When I leave, I have a stronger sense of community with the bigger church."

Reach Mary Kaye Ritz via e-mail at mritz@honoluluadvertiser.com or by calling 525-8035.