Youth learn about Catholic faith with fun and games

Intermountain Catholic

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Participants of Spring Fest play silent ball at Judge Memorial High School April 19. While playing this game, youth learned they need to follow the rules if they want to be successful. They also learned about their relationship with God, which was represented by the blocks they had to stand on, said Megan Skuster, game leader. IC photos by Priscilla Cabral

SALT LAKE CITY — Youth from around the diocese gathered at Judge Memorial Catholic High School in Salt Lake City for the Junior High Spring Fest, April 19. They played games and had fun while they learned about their faith.

They played silent ball, a game in which you need to be the last one standing on a block of wood in order to win. The game had some rules, though. Participants had to gather in a circle and start throwing the ball at each other. They could not fall off the block, talk, drop the ball, or engage in violent behavior; otherwise, they would be out of the game.

"The game taught them not to be tempted to talk or yell, and to choose the right way," said Megan Skuster, game leader.

"The block could represent our relationship with God, how it is our foundation, and we need to stick with it to be successful," she said.

The games were also geared toward building communication and leadership skills, said Matthew Boerke, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

The junk to jewels game was meant to make participants join forces and create something functional or decorative out of office supplies that might be considered trash on their own. This was Aubrey Suchar’s favorite activity after the bubble gum game, in which she had to fish out a piece of gum from a plate full of whipped cream and blow it before anyone else. What was the moral of this game? "It’s ok to have fun and be yourself," said Boerke.

Part of the fun was to meet new people, something that was a bit of a challenge for some.

"This is the first time they participated. They were very interested and had a lot of disposition to make new friends, but they were scared of getting separated," said Sofia Palestino, coordinator of the Guadalupe Parish youth group in Salt Lake City.

"Meeting people is really important to be able to learn new personalities and even know if your friends are the right ones for you," said Cydney Lehr.

Pat Martin, youth minister at Holy Family Parish in Ogden, said it is important for youth to see there are more Catholics in Utah, other than the ones they see at church, who share their same beliefs and values.

Kirsten Mele, from St. Olaf Parish, agreed and said Spring Fest was a good opportunity for her daughter to spend time with people who are Catholic.

"She’s having a great time. All the kids are really nice and well behaved. I wish we could do it more often," said Mele.

She and other parents helped God’s Squad members, volunteers from across the diocese who plan and run the activities for the different youth events, carry out the games for Spring Fest. When helping, adults "learn activities they can take back and use in their own parishes," said Boerke.

While Spring Fest followed its typical agenda of games, fun activities, and Mass, 2009 was a year of firsts for the event.

"It was the first time we brought someone from out of state for Spring Fest," said Boerke about Popple, a "dynamic and interactive" musical duo.

Popple’s lyrics are fun and silly, yet serious about the Catholic faith.

"Do you know what I tell people who ask me how do I know God loves them? I tell them to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich," said Dan, one half of the duo.

He then said that eating a PB &J sandwich proves God loves us because otherwise, he would not have given us the taste buds that allow us to enjoy such flavor. Just as simple.