Approximately 380 participants fill The Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville during ODYC 2024, which was held in November. RILEY GREIF | WKC
‘Jesus is Lord’ the theme of Owensboro Diocese Youth Conference
BY CHARLIE HARDESTY, OFFICE OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
“Jesus Christ!” responded the participants at ODYC 2024 as Bishop Medley asked throughout the closing Mass over and over, “Who is your king?”
The Owensboro Diocese Youth Conference took place Nov. 22-23 at The Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville. The theme for the conference was “Jesus is Lord/Jesús es El Señor.” Our goal for the weekend was to help the youth of our diocese find rest in the Lord, learn to pray more consistently, and see the world around them as a space to share the Good News of the Gospel.
Youths smile and laugh while playing a game requiring them to find people with whom they have something in common. RILEY GREIF | WKC
We were blessed with around 380 participants representing 25 of our western Kentucky parishes and schools. We’d especially like to thank all the adults who accompanied the youth of our diocese to the conference and gave of their time. We also thank Fr. Corey Bruns, Susy Solorza, and Wade Gaynor, who were our keynote speakers. We thank Ben Warrell, Lisa Higdon, and the staff at Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp and Retreat Center for serving as emcees and helping throughout the weekend. The Scally Brothers from Toledo, Ohio, did a phenomenal job sharing music throughout the weekend. We are so grateful to the priests of the diocese who came late Friday to hear confessions and to staff at the McRaith Catholic Center who helped in so many ways. The conference was surrounded by numerous adults who taught in breakout sessions, prayed with and mentored young people, and simply shared joy and laughter.
Kristin Dorth speaks to ODYC 2024 participants during a breakout session at the conference, which is held every other year. RILEY GREIF | WKC
ODYC alternates with the National Catholic Youth Conference which occurs next Nov. 20-22, 2025, in Indianapolis. Be on the lookout for more information about NCYC 2025 and for many other opportunities for youth that happen throughout the year.
Learn more at owensborodiocese.org/youth-ministry.
Originally printed in the January 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
