Junior high students hear inspirational messages

Some 600 junior high student­s from throughout the Diocese of Corpus Christi attended the Youth Spectacular Sunday, April 22, at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds. Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey celebrated Mass at the close of the daylong event.

The day began with prayer and the singing of national anthem. Father Leo Patalinghug, born in the Philippines and raised in the Baltimore area, spoke to the students about the life of saints and encouraged them to model their lives after the saints.

Father Patalinghug demonstrated his marital arts skills by breaking boards on stage but impressed on the students that an a even more powerful weapon was prayer.

After his talk, students heard presentations on vocations and stewardship and participated in “ice breakers,” events designed to bring the students closer to each other in informal and fun settings. They also enjoyed praise and worship music provided by Heath & Band.

Before lunch participants took part in a living rosary. After lunch, breakout session on various topics were held, followed by a presentation on at-risk children by Richard Lane.

Lane ministers to kids involved in drugs and gangs. He urged participants to get out of those cycles and involve themselves with good people. God is most the important thing, he said to them.

The high school Youth Spectacular will be held on Sunday, March 29.