10:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19

We finally arrived – the opening session of NCYC ’09 – Christ Reigns. It began with an introduction by National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry executive director Bob McCarty, who introduced the MC for the convention – singer/songwriter Steve Angrisano.

Angrisano, who’s been to Southeast Texas before and at the diocesan youth conventions, relayed a few songs and a few stories for the crowd before getting them pumped up again with a little help from John Angotti. Others also took to the stage during the evening including ValLimar Jansen, who also has been to our diocese and to our youth conventions.

The opening festivities were more than enough to win over those who had never been to NCYC before

“It was much better than what I expected. I’ve been to Region 10 and to our youth convention and this was the best church-related conference I’ve ever been to,” Chris Collins of St. Elizabeth, Port Neches, said.

“It was just really cool to see that many youth and even that many people all together in one massive room praying and worshiping. I’ve never seen anything like that before,” Jared Gallier of Our Lady of Sorrows, China, said.

5:30 p.m., Thursday

“You’re going to hear some heartfelt moments and some touching stories. That’s the Holy Spirit moving through the conference,” Tommy Chatlosh, youth ministry director said to all before we headed to dinner.

Then, as is tradition with the Beaumont Diocesan delegation, we show our Texas roots and broke out into an impromptu singing of “Deep in the Heart of Texas” wearing our cowboy hats and heading to the buses.

4:30 p.m., Thursday

We hit traffic on the outskirts of Kansas City, but made it to the hotel to drop off our luggage and stuff. After getting our rooms, we met in front to head to dinner before going to the convention center.

1:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19

After a lunch stop in Emporia we think we have about an hour and half to go. The morning was spent talking and napping and watching movies. Now everyone is awake and excited about getting back on the road and arriving in Kansas City!

8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 19

This morning was mostly sleepy with scattered hungry as we stopped in Norman, Okla., for breakfast at McDonald’s. After eating some of the teens let off a bit of energy in the play area. Then it was back on the bus. After getting on the road again we all settled down to doing things to while away the hours including watching movies such as Disney’s Hercules.

So far I haven’t had internet – but when I get it tonight at the hotel I will be sending photos as well. Look for them here tomorrow!

Midnight, Wednesday, Nov. 18

Even though it was midnight on a school night, for 83 teens and their families, they were not at home resting or sleeping but gathering in Beaumont to depart for a bus ride to Kansas City. The teens gathered and put their stuff on the 2 buses that will be taking us to our destination. Everyone was excited as the minutes ticked toward departure. We gathered for prayer led by Father John Hughes, then loaded the buses and set off.