Diocese of Venice Youth Rally
September 26, 2009
A fresh, energized, greatly enlarged group of Ave Maria Youth rallied at “Alive in Faith”—- the Diocese of Venice Youth Rally. We were blessed to be led in the rally by our very own Bishop Dewane and Catholic apologist, ”former” marine, Tim Staples. In their singing, praising, dancing, and praying, the Ave Youth radiated what it means to be on fire for God.
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Steubenville Florida Youth Conference
June 12-14, 2009
The Ave Maria Youth Group splashed into the summer break with a trip to West Palm Beach for our second Steubenville Florida Youth Conference. Read about it from our own words:
Sean Forrest: “That’s Messed Up!”
Michael John: “I’m so happy, I need to HUG somebody!”
Peter Scheck: “I saw the face of Jesus in the Monstrance … He never left me.”
Alex: “As a Catholic, I believed by faith Jesus was in the Eucharist, … but tonight I EXPERIENCED Jesus really touching
me personally in the Eucharist!”
Eric: “As a non-Catholic, it was very different me to see a Eucharistic Procession and I said to myself ‘That REALLY is Jesus!’”
Christine Leonardson: “This began our Journey and we can’t for it!”
Christina Fox: “Oh my Gosh, I knew Jesus LOVED Me, but this weekend it was, “OH MY GOSH! JESUS LOVES ME!!!”
Andrew: “It was nothing short of inspiring to be among other teens actively, enthusiastically, and authentically pursuing a
RELATIONSHIP with Christ through OPENESS to the Spirit.”
Nick: “I felt great peace come over me because for the first time I laid my burden on my heart at the Foot of His Cross.”
Billy: “At the Eucharistic Procession, we were in the room with hundreds of young people, but I felt very much in His Eucharistic presence it was just me and Jesus alone.”
Megan: “I also felt it was just me and Jesus alone even though there were hundreds of young people all around us.”
John Fox: “It was a personal experience between me and Jesus.”
Edwin: “It was also with me a personal experience between me and Jesus.”
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Fr. Stan Fortuna Live
April 24, 2009
Nearly two dozen members of the Ave Maria Youth Group smashed into their cars to hear the rapping priest, Fr. Stan Fortuna, C.F.R., live at a concert in Archbishop Coleman Caroll High School in Miami, FL. Everyone had a blast and shined forth with love of Jesus and fire for worship!
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Living Stations of the Cross
April 11, 2009
Led by Nick Jaroma portryaing Jesus, the Ave Maria Youth Group performed the Living Stations on the Cross on Good Friday in the Ave Maria Oratory. The stations were a great and inspiring success, a worthy tribute to the momentuous day on which it took place.
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March for Life Trip to Washington DC
January 21-24, 2009
The Ave Maria Youth Group traveled to Washington DC to protest abortion with over 250,000 others at the March for Life. We were led by Mr. Ed Rivera and Mr. Roy Lennardson, both of whom graciously gave of their time to make this trip happen. The 16 attending Ave Youth were also accompanied by Sister Thomas Aquinas and Sister Maria Christi. You can see the slideshow below…
To view slideshow in high quality, click here.
Transportation
The Youth Rally and Mass
At the youth rally, we the Ave Youth were blessed to hear words of encouragement from the pope himself, who spoke by his ambassador:
“… For this reason, the Holy Father encourages young people to make their voices heard in addressing this burning moral and social issue with honesty and integrity, working as wise and committed citizens for the building of a truly just and humane society, in which every member of the human family is allowed to share in the banquet of life.”
At the youth rally, we also managed to get our rosaries blessed by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.
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The March for Life
The long awaited March for Life was a huge success, and the Ave Youth were exemplary witnesses to Life. During the March, Julian Gozalez, a member of the Youth Group, and our very own Sr. Thomas Aquinas were interviewed for EWTN’s Life on the Rock (see below). Despite the late start to the march, the energy for the Unborn could be seen in everyone.
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Touring Washington DC
After the marching for life, the Ave Maria Youth spent the next two days sightseeing DC, visiting museums, and getting great tours. The boys stayed the night at Mr. Roy Lennardson’s apartment, while the girls stayed at a hotel with the sisters.
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Food
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
One of our last stops before returning to Florida was the Basilica in DC. In addition to learning that we didn’t know what an oratory was 
, the Ave Youth came to witness the glorious the marriage of western and eastern architecture in a single building. The magnificant shrine stunned us all with its beauty.
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The Dominican House of Studies
Rosary-Making for the March for Life
January 11, 2009
With the help of special guess Mrs. Krepf, the Ave Maria Youth Group made rosaries for our sponsors for the March for life, hoping to have them blessed by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.
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Rosary Walkathon 4 Life
December 6, 2008
The Ave Maria Youth walked 6 miles – from the Oratory to the Entrance to Ave Maria, and back – praying the rosary for an end to abortion.
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Toby Mac – Winter Wonder Slam Concert
November 16, 2008
Members of the Ave Maria Youth Group had a blast at the Toby Mac Winter Slam Concert.
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Steubenville Florida Youth Conference
June 13-15, 2008
The Ave Maria Youth Group (in light blue)
The Ave Youth had a blast at the Stubenville Youth Conference in Ft. Lauderdale. The conference also featured the rapping priest, Fr. Stan Fortuna. Here are some pictures and video footage of the event. In the video, you can see the Ave Maria Youth Group about 8 min. and 35 sec. into the video.
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