Viatorian religious, associates, and young people converged on Indianapolis last week, joining with 16,000 Catholics – including one pope – for the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC).
The Viatorian group snapped some unique selfies during the live videoconference with Pope Leo XIV, including (top, left to right) Fr. John Eustice, CSV, Associate Rosy Hartz, and Fr. Dan Belanger, CSV.
Teens and chaperones from St. Viator Catholic Community joined Bishop Gregory Gordon and a sizeable archdiocesan delegation from Las Vegas. The annual conference provides young people a joyful experience of the Church on a big scale, spreading throughout the Indiana Convention Center and LucasOil Stadium, home of Super Bowls and Final Fours.
NCYC features keynote speakers, lively praise and worship, a fun faith-filled exhibit hall, and large-scale liturgy and Sacraments – and this year, it also included a live chat over videoconference with Pope Leo XIV. The first US-born pope took questions from American teens and spoke to them in his American-accent English.
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“One of the teens said she listened to every word the pope said because she understood it in her own language,” Associate Rosy Hartz, St. Viator Director of Youth Ministry and Faith Formation, said. “Many took selfies and shared that they will never forget this.”
Parochial Vicar Fr. Dan Belanger, CSV, has become a regular with parish school students and on special trips for teens such as NCYC. “Standing among thousands of young Catholics while the Holy Father joined us was unforgettable,” Fr. Dan said. “We were deeply moved by the teens from the Archdiocese of Las Vegas.”
Fr. John and crew staffed an exhibit hall table, where some familiar games became an easy way to chat with folks from all around the country.
Viatorian Vocation Ministry once again joined in the exhibit hall fun, where Director of Vocation Ministry Fr. John Eustice, CSV, staffed the table and welcomed Rosy, Fr. Dan, Associate Deborah Perez, Pre-Associate Cathy Flynn, and the Las Vegas group to hang out. Alongside stickers, pens, and prayer resources, Viatorians also brought checkers and Connect 4, wondering if teens from across the country could beat a Viatorian in a board game. Wins and losses were less important than having a relaxed way to hang out while sharing faith at our table.
“Being at the vocation booth in the exhibit hall was an incredible experience of listening to the young church. Though I was there to promote vocations, it became a station of encounter, listening, and even ‘sidewalk spiritual direction,’” Fr. John said. “I felt supported not only by Dan, Rosy, Deborah, and Cathy, but by the entire youth delegation from St. Viator. The booth and this ministry with games was ours together. I felt like all 16,000-plus people made this place a home.”
Fr. Dan and Fr. John with the teens.
Deborah has been teaming with Rosy for many years and loves being invited back again and again to walk with youth for these special experiences. “I have been chaperoning for St. Viator Youth Ministry for 10 years, and NCYC 2025 is definitely one for the books,” Deborah said. “Witnessing these 13 teens’ first time at NCYC, with 16,000 of their peers, together in praise and worship for three days was beautiful. I’m grateful to be part of the Viatorian Community that values the young church and invests in their faith formation.”
Even after many NCYC conferences, the evolving presentations and the new groups of teens make each experience a little different. This time, during Fr. John’s first NCYC as a priest, Rosy relished a novel moment with this group of Viatorian youth. “One teen shared how it was so cool to have Fr. Dan sit and be with us at Mass, while at the same time seeing Fr. John process and concelebrate with all the other priests,” Rosy said. “Another teen said the group never felt alone because, between lay chaperones and priests, there were always Viatorians around – and that reminded him of the same excitement he felt with Viatorians at VYC.”