By Cathy Tilzey

What happens if more than 250 junior high students, plus members of the CYC board, a priest and adult chaperones get together? An energetic capacity crowd in the Cathedral of St. Helena’s Brondel Center for the first diocesan junior high rally in 17 years.

They spent Nov. 8 learning about temples, especially the temple of God – laying a good foundation, worshipping in it and rebuilding it – from speakers throughout the day. Doug Tooke, the diocese’s youth and young adult minister, kept the program moving through ice breakers, worship, small group activities and several keynote addresses.

David and Deidre Casey and several friends provided spiritual music and some other styles. The song that got all age groups moving and singing along was a version of Neil Diamond’s “I’m a Believer.”

Father Bart Tolleson, parochial vicar for the Cathedral parish, gave the first keynote talk, explaining why the temple of God was the theme of readings for that weekend and for the rally, which was called “Extreme Makeover, Temple Edition.”

Some of the Catholic Youth Coalition board members volunteered to make a human temple, with four strong youth on the first level, three on the second level and one at the apex. Father Tolleson tossed things at the temple and audience, and sprayed them with water. The temple wobbled somewhat but held together as its members caught the objects, including bubbles and balls, and tossed them to people around them.

A girl on the top level, who caught bubbles without falling, was helped off. Then the temple collapsed.

A temple can be distracted, the priest said. “You have to be strong and keep the temple together.”

Father Tolleson also encouraged the youth to cheer and yell when he began to talk about the diocese’s capital campaign – which includes youth and young adult ministry as a principal case element – during the Saturday evening Mass.

Two young adults gave keynote talks on “We are His Temple.” Dan Thies, coordinator of Catholic Youth Rural Outreach of the Flathead area, talked to the junior high boys about “garbage in, garbage out” – not eating or drinking what will make you ill, or putting gross things into your body that risks hurting yourself.

Jenna Kessler, a Carroll College student, addressed the girls about extreme makeovers to fit into pop culture. Who are girls trying to be with the latest hair styles, clothing or makeup – like Christ, or like their contemporaries? What will last?

Two other youth from the Catholic Youth Coalition Board talked about their high school experiences. Raven Dryden, a sophomore at Hellgate High School in Missoula, said she was nervous about going to her first CYC convention last year, but relaxed when she recognized fellow students on the bus. “It was my first time stepping out with faith,” she said. “I realized I don’t have to hold back.”

Ian Cantrell of Whitefish played the guitar and talked about the cycle of school and home. He said that CYC Leadership Camp at Legendary Lodge was a great experience. “Remember that God’s always there with you,” he told the junior high kids.

Father Tolleson celebrated the regular Saturday evening Mass with most of the young people sitting in the nave of the church. And when he said “capital campaign,” they all yelled and cheered.

A dance in the Brondel Center concluded the rally. Tooke said that the DJ, Jim Tucker Jr., kept the volume down, allowing both the youth and adult chaperones to continue their conversations and get to know one another better, spreading the sense of diocesan Church.Montana Catholic Conference. He can be reached by phone at 442-5761 or e-mail director@montanacc.org.


Published in The Montana Catholic Online, Volume 24, No. 11, November 21, 2008.