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They are “guppies” — Christian youngsters — who aspire to be fishers of men.
Catholic youths joined to sing, play, laugh and pray on Aug. 3 at St. Thomas More’s Guppy Fest. It was the 14th annual Catholic Youth Celebration of Christian Life. The day’s events ranged from adoration and motivational speakers to karaoke and games. For $10 per student entertainment lasted from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“It is a good mix of a day that is both serious and fun,” said David Tschumper, event coordinator and director of youth ministry at St. Thomas More. Students in grades six to 12 from parishes throughout the Denver Archdiocese have been enjoying Guppy Fest since the event began as a precursor to World Youth Day in 1993.
“I like the Mass, the adoration and spending time with other people,” said 16-year-old Amanda Hicks from Regis Jesuit High School-Girls Division who has been to Guppy Fest before and is certain to return.
Speakers were an integral part of the day. Sister Carolyn Martin of the Little Sisters of the Poor explained that whether individuals enter into marriage or the clergy, “any God-given vocation well lived is a wonderful thing.” Cody Hawkins of the University of Colorado football team encouraged students to move forward in faith as they go through college.
The theme of this year’s Guppy Fest was “Into the Deep.” The gymnasium was transformed into an ocean complete with crepe paper seaweed and blow-up fish. The students learned the story of St. Peter’s calling to discipleship. According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus came to Peter when he was fishing and told him to lower his net for a catch. Upon doing so he caught so many fish that his nets were breaking. Peter was not a religious man but after witnessing the miracle he became a follower of Christ.
“I learned anyone can be a fisher of men, you just have to find your calling,” said Brian Zuber, 12, of Campus Middle School.
To carry out the message further, Chris Stefanick, director of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry for the Archdiocese of Denver, gave the keynote address. He was introduced as the “youth minister extraordinaire” and lived up to this title by powerfully relating to the kids.
He used pop culture references to tailor his message to the age group. He commanded the audience’s attention by singing the rock classic “Sweet Home Alabama” and engaged them by performing a rap by the popular artist Nelly in which he changed the words from “Must Be the Money” to “Because God Loves Me” and made it a sing-along. He also composed a freestyle rap encompassing icons from Harry Potter to Snoop Dogg while addressing the key issues teenagers face. He explained that in a time when a song can climb the Billboard charts with a chorus that boasts, “this is why I’m hot…I’m hot cuz I’m fly, you ain’t cuz you not,” Generation Y is expected to be self-centered.
“The difference between you and God is God will never think he’s you,” Stefanick joked.
He went on to say that society has set a low standard for teenagers today and they tend to live down to it. Stefanick challenged each student to get away from “spiritual junk food” and find their nutrition in God. When St. Peter was called to follow God, he was just a confused young person as each individual is at some point in life. Stefanick explained his difficulties during his own coming of age and how he found his calling. He encouraged everyone to reflect on their own lives.
“God sees in us what we don’t see in ourselves,” he said. “We are each called to be Saint — state your name here,” Stefanick said.
A video sequence was shown throughout the day. It tracked the adventures and heroism of the super hero “Altar Man” and was received by the students with applause and laughter.
“I definitely want to come back next year. I like hanging out with people with the same faith and it is a really nice environment,” said 11-year-old Katherine Kelso of Our Lady of Loreto Parish in Foxfield who was experiencing Guppy Fest for the first time.
Stefanick said events like these are a great way to unite in the faith.
“(It’s) a spiritual shot in the arm,” he said.
