Detroit — More than 1,400 teenagers from across the Archdiocese of Detroit descended on the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center for two days of faith, fellowship and fun Feb. 11-12.
Participants in the Catholic Youth Organization’s Rainbow XXX conference took part in general sessions led by musician, composer and youth minister Steve Angrisano, attended workshops on a variety of topics, joined together for Mass and participated in social events at the 30th annual weekend conference.
“It’s fun, it’s interactive, never boring, and there’s always something to do,” said Mitchell Beaudoin, 14, a member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Livonia and a freshman at Livonia’s Stevenson High School, attending his first Rainbow.
Also attending Rainbow for the first time was Chukwuma Ezeanya, 14, from Corpus Christi Parish, Detroit, and a freshman at the city’s Renaissance High School.
“I learned a whole bunch of stuff I never knew before. The sessions have been great, and I plan on coming next year. If you’re looking for a better understanding of Jesus, you’ll learn something new every day,” he said.
Fernanda Morales, 18, from St. Mary of the Hills Parish, Rochester, and a senior at Stoney Creek High School, especially enjoyed Angrisano’s talks, she said. “He has really good stories and makes us look at things in a different way. He can be funny, but inspirational at the same time.”
Also from St. Mary of the Hills Parish was Pauline Kittila, 18, a foreign exchange student from Finland and a senior at Troy Athens High School.
“It has been really great; I’m having a lot of fun. Steve is the best, really fun and very much inspirational,” said Kittila, who said she had attended a similar, but much smaller event back in Finland. “It’s really wonderful to see how many people came.”
Carlos Diaz, 18, a member of St. Irenaeus Parish, Rochester Hills, and a senior at Brother Rice High School, Bloomfield Township, was attending his second Rainbow conference.
Diaz said he enjoyed the main sessions as well as the smaller modules and the social events: “You’re bound to find things you really like and other people who also like it.
“There are so many people who seem excited to know you. Everything’s centered around faith, and everyone wants the best for you,” Diaz said.
For Kennedy Levy, Rachel Dickens and Sarah Cornwell, the success of this 30th Rainbow conference had special meaning, as all three helped plan Rainbow XXX as part of the 21-member CYO Youth Council.
Levy, 17, a member of Sacred Heart, Grosse Ile, and senior at Grosse Ile High School, serves as membership recruitment coordinator for the Youth Council and administrative assistant to the CYO.
“Every year it changes, and it is very satisfying for us that attendance is up slightly this year,” she said.
“Being on Youth Council has definitely strengthened my faith. It can be challenging to be a faithful Catholic. I really feel that Youth Council has not only strengthened my faith, but made me a more confident person,” Levy added.
Dickens, 17, from SS. John & Paul Parish, Washington Township, and a senior at Romeo High School, pointed out that this year’s event featured “a lot more tech than before.”
Dickens said one of the great things about the Rainbow experience is the supportive atmosphere: “You’re constantly surrounded by people who share the same ideas, whereas at school, we’re not the majority.”
Cornwell, 17, from Immaculate Conception Parish, Ira Township, and a senior at Regina High School, Warren, shared that sentiment.
“I love God. My faith is the most important thing in my life, and I really think it’s wonderful to be able to spend the weekend here with 1,400 other teenagers who think the same way,” she said.
“God’s presence is so overwhelming; it is really a moving experience. It makes me feel proud to be a Catholic and proud of my faith,” Cornwell added.
