INDIANAPOLIS – Eighty-six young people and chaperones from the Diocese of Scranton traveled by bus to Indianapolis in late November to join more than 16,000 participants at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC).
During the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, the event served as a major opportunity for Catholic teenagers to learn more about their faith and was a reminder that the future of the Church is vibrant, joyful, and deeply rooted in Christ.
Pilgrims from nine different parishes attended this year’s conference. The parishes included: Our Lady Queen of Peace, Brodheadsville; Saints Peter and Paul, Towanda; Saint Matthew, East Stroudsburg; Saint Luke, Stroudsburg; Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Hanover Township; Saint Catherine of Siena, Moscow; Saint Eulalia, Roaring Brook Township; Our Lady of the Snows, Clarks Summit; and Saint Gregory, Clarks Green.
“We were with 16,000 other Catholic kids. I’ve never been able to experience that before,” Edward Scavone, a junior from Our Lady of the Snows Parish, said. “That was so cool.”
Breakout sessions covered topics including discipleship, vocations, and social challenges.
Several Diocesan participants highlighted a session led by Bishop Joseph Espaillat of the Archdiocese of New York called “Faith Amidst the Storm.”
“His energy and his compassion for humanity – and for being so real with our kids – was incredibly moving,” Christian Brown, youth minister for Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Eulalia Parishes, said.
During the session, the young adults were asked what the world needs right now. While many answered peace, hope, love, or kindness – Bishop Espaillat challenged them that what is needed more than anything right now is faith.
Marinellys Marte, from Saint Matthew Parish, said the session encouraged teens to approach their faith with courage.
“We talked about how there are a lot of problems in the world and how we have to use the tools God gives us to fight our battles,” Marte said. “Saints weren’t wimps. They were strong people who leaned on God.”
Other participants repeatedly cited Eucharistic Adoration inside Lucas Oil Stadium – the home of the Indianapolis Colts football team – as a defining moment of the conference.
“It was very moving for me. There were 16,000 people all kneeling. I was trying to fight back the tears – but then everyone on the ground floor went up and kneeled as close as they could – and I started crying,” she said.
“It was a very beautiful event because we got one-on-one time with God,” Layla Reyes of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, added.
Going into the conference, Natalie Weidner of Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish, was excited to participate in a digital encounter with Pope Leo XIV.
“I think it’s just great that I got to listen to him talk. Not a lot of people get that opportunity,” Weidner said.
As the conference ended, participants said NCYC renewed their enthusiasm to live and share their faith.
“The power of the Holy Spirit was present here,” Hannah Rocco, a senior from Saint Eulalia Parish who is preparing for college, stated. “I’m excited to see where God is calling me in the next steps of my life.”