Red Stick Catholic Fest Set for Aug. 21

The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Diocese of Baton Rouge will host “Return to Love: Red Stick Catholic Fest 2021” on Saturday, Aug. 21, from 1-9 p.m., at St. John the Evangelist Church in Prairieville. 

High schoolers will experience an afternoon packed with dynamic speakers, praise and worship, small-group time, confession and adoration. Parish registration is open through Aug 6.

 The theme of the conference, “Return to Love,” is one of deep discernment among the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, say organizers.

 “We chose this theme because we thought it was most appropriate after a year of isolation to return back to authentic relationship with Christ and with one another,” said West Giffin, associate director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

 “As we were praying about the conference,” said Nicole Jones, coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, “the Lord kept putting the parable of the prodigal son on our hearts. It is a story of homecoming, conversion and mercy that fits perfectly with the theme of returning to love.”

 The day will be filled with engaging breakout sessions, including talks from Kathleen Lee, deacon candidate Michael Parker, Avera Santo, Vocations Director Father Joshua Johnson, Erin Franco, Giffin and Father Mathew Dunn, parochial vicar at St John. 

Live entertainment will be provided by Eric Wilkes and Megan Braud.

“The hope for the day is that all of those in attendance encounter the love of the father, who stops at nothing to reunite us to himself and all of the goodness he has in store,” said Jones.

 “After a year of watching teens struggle with isolation and division, we are excited to give them an opportunity to come together under one roof. It is in this effort that we hope to restore what it means to live in a right relationship and begin to heal the wounds that resulted from such a trying year,” said Giffin.

For more information, including registration, contact your church parish. 

The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Diocese of Baton Rouge will host “Return to Love: Red Stick Catholic Fest 2021” on Saturday, Aug. 21, from 1-9 p.m., at St. John the Evangelist Church in Prairieville. 

High schoolers will experience an afternoon packed with dynamic speakers, praise and worship, small-group time, confession and adoration. Parish registration is open through Aug 6.

 The theme of the conference, “Return to Love,” is one of deep discernment among the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, say organizers.

 “We chose this theme because we thought it was most appropriate after a year of isolation to return back to authentic relationship with Christ and with one another,” said West Giffin, associate director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

 “As we were praying about the conference,” said Nicole Jones, coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, “the Lord kept putting the parable of the prodigal son on our hearts. It is a story of homecoming, conversion and mercy that fits perfectly with the theme of returning to love.”

 The day will be filled with engaging breakout sessions, including talks from Kathleen Lee, deacon candidate Michael Parker, Avera Santo, Vocations Director Father Joshua Johnson, Erin Franco, Giffin and Father Mathew Dunn, parochial vicar at St John. 

Live entertainment will be provided by Eric Wilkes and Megan Braud.

“The hope for the day is that all of those in attendance encounter the love of the father, who stops at nothing to reunite us to himself and all of the goodness he has in store,” said Jones.

 “After a year of watching teens struggle with isolation and division, we are excited to give them an opportunity to come together under one roof. It is in this effort that we hope to restore what it means to live in a right relationship and begin to heal the wounds that resulted from such a trying year,” said Giffin.

For more information, including registration, contact your church parish.