Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

A group of ten teenagers from Church of the Epiphany recently attended the One Bread, One Cup summer conference at St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana. The five-day event is designed for high school students to learn about prayer and the Mass while developing their abilities as liturgical ministers in their local parishes.

Jessica Smith, parish pastoral associate at Epiphany who oversees family formation and youth ministry, said, “Epiphany’s true charism is hospitality. We have people who are very welcoming.”

The spirit of hospitality was also highlighted by Scotty Biggs, director of St. Meinrad’s Center for Youth and Young Adult Evangelization. He stated, “High school students are not the future of the Church. They are the Church of today. By the end of day two (of the conference) they are responsible for everything in the context of the liturgy. They become the leaders. It’s a beautiful thing to see that the Church is being led by these young adults,” Biggs said. “The rule of St. Benedict here at St. Meinrad is to greet each visitor as if you are greeting Christ, not just as a number.”

For three decades, One Bread, One Cup has aimed to foster ministry and discipleship among youth.

Aurora, an incoming sophomore who participated in a course on hospitality and stewardship at the conference, reflected on her experience serving meals: “We got to serve dinner and lunchtoeveryoneatthecamp,anditwashonestlyagreatexperience.Itletsyouseeeveryoneaspeopleyoucouldhelp.Andmorethanthat,youcouldhelppeoplearoundyou,” she said. “For me it told me I could do more than just be there with people.Icouldactuallyhelppeople.Itdoesn’thavetobealot.Allyouhave todoishelppeoplewithverysimple thingsnooneelseiswillingtodo.” After returning home, she volunteered at a teachers’ retreat.

Giada, a senior who joined the proclamation of the word track, discussed how participating as a lector deepened her faith: “Before I went to One Bread, One Cup, I was active in my faith, but it wasn’t a super deep understanding,” she said. “I feel a much deeper understanding of the Mass and of my faith personally. I feel like, boom, out of my shell.”

Stevie took part in training as master of ceremonies/server/sacristan and said he felt ready to take on those roles: “We learned so much that I am confident that I can do it,” he said.

Brianna participated in prayer-focused sessions and expressed interest in writing Universal Prayers for Mass after her experience hearing devotional prayer.

Smith recalled having some doubts before recommending teens attend: “Would five days in a Benedictine monastery, in the summer, with no comforts of home, and a midwestern dress code work?” She later added about their feedback: “We had a 100% rating of satisfaction. They all had different experiences. All of them grew in their faith. And all of them were so excited. It must be the Holy Spirit.”

She noted that this enthusiasm has continued back home at Epiphany: “We have a community that cheers the kids on,” she said,“Love is a response to love. When they see this gift (of love) being given to them, of course they want to serve.”

Father Karl Bergin attended with his parishioners and described his reaction: “Seeing the youth transformed gives me incredible hope, and I am excited to engage with them and accompany them as we come back to our Epiphany family.” He concluded by adding their participation in liturgical ministry and participation at Mass,“will transform us all as a parish community.”

The Diocese of Orlando was established in 1968 and includes 79 parishes across several counties such as Brevard and Volusia under Bishop James Noonan’s leadership.