Entertainers and presenters: From left, Elle Bega, Fusion (Louis Gargiula), Ansel Augustine
Hey Island youth! Have you signed up for Diocesan Youth Day yet?
This awesome event will take place Oct. 25 at Sea Life Park in Waimanalo. The diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry has organized a fun day of faith-building, food and fellowship, where you can meet other young local Catholics and reflect on your relationship with Jesus.
It costs $75 to attend “DYD.” That fee includes admission to Sea Life Park, lunch and dinner, and a registration packet with a special DYD T-shirt and other goodies.
This year’s DYD theme is “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” It’s from the Gospel of Matthew, the first of eight “Beatitudes” that Jesus taught on mercy and compassion.
Pope Francis has recently been urging Catholics to memorize the Beatitudes and use them to guide their lives.
Those who gather for Diocesan Youth Day in October will find a lineup of activities centered on that theme. Bishop Larry Silva will celebrate Mass. A number of priests are expected to be on hand for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There will be a ministry and vocations fair as well.
Adding to the excitement is a concert that shines the spotlight on three super-talented young Catholics. Louis Gargiula, also known as “Fusion,” will visit the Islands from the Diocese of Albany, N.Y. He sings, dances, raps and writes his own songs.
Also slated to perform are musicians Mathias Michael of the Diocese of Wilmington, Del., and our own Elle Bega of Maui.
All three performers have been participants at National Catholic Youth Conference “Top Talent” events.
Guest speakers
Two guest speakers will share their wisdom and enthusiasm. For the first time ever, DYD will feature a special “parent track” with noted counselor, speaker and writer Roy Petitfils.
Ansel Augustine, a dynamic speaker from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, will give the keynote address for the youth.
The Hawaii Catholic Herald caught up with Augustine by phone and got a gist of his upcoming DYD plans.
Augustine calls himself the “Holy Hot Boy.” It’s a title he coined by combining his passion for ministry and his past experience as a radio DJ working with artists from hip-hop’s Cash Money Records.
A “hot boy,” he says on his website, is someone who “is about handling their business” and “will not tolerate being disrespected because he knows who he is.” That kind of swag can be applied to how a person lives out his faith, Augustine told the Herald.
Augustine, 37, was born and raised Catholic in the New Orleans neighborhood of Treme. He has a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University of New Orleans and a Certificate in Youth Ministry from Xavier University of Louisiana’s Institute for Black Catholic Studies.
He’s done youth ministry for years at his home parish, St. Peter Claver Church in New Orleans and spoken at numerous events around the country.
Augustine said he’s excited to come down and speak at Diocesan Youth Day in Hawaii because the spark that young Catholics ignite for the faith “energizes” him continually in his ministry.
“It’s something about the fire of faith that’s in our young people, the hope,” he said. “Their vision as the young church is just inspiring in motivating me to step my game up and be a better Catholic.”
His keynote talk will “challenge the young church to look at life through the eyes of our saints.” Catholic youth and young adults today face many unprecedented challenges, Augustine noted. However, if they stay close to the Lord, life obstacles become opportunities “for God to show up and show out in their lives.”
“They’re blessed to have the faith that they have and be able to openly express it,” Augustine said. “The challenge is to share that love that they have in their church home or in their faith experience with others that may not have that same kind of love.”
“That’s what we’re called to do — to be disciples and to make disciples,” he added.
Diocesan Youth Day is a great way to get this message across to young Hawaii Catholics. Augustine said events like DYD provide a safe outlet for faith-sharing and growth.
He hopes many kids and parents will sign up for the event and be a part of a powerful experience.
“It’s important for the young church to gather,” Augustine said. “The way they do things, it’s a culture in and of their own. A lot of times in regular parish settings, the young church’s voice may not be heard.”
“It’s OK for them to be them as children of God in this way,” he added.
For more information on Diocesan Youth Day, or to register your parish group, call the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at 203-6763 or visit www.catholichawaii.org/oyyam/ym.
