By Kathi Stearns

It began with a drum roll. As each beat echoed through the building the teens clapped. They sang until they lost their voices. They stood until their legs became weary. They joined hands forming one large body.

It had the elements of a typical rock concert -- music, musicians and young people filling a room beyond capacity. Over 400 compact discs, one for every two people in attendance, were purchased. People had traveled from Missouri, North Carolina, Alabama and Florida just to listen and learn. As the music began the 950 youth there sang, "Amen, we do believe" with hands outstretched as they proclaimed their Catholic faith.

The Life Teen Youth Rally, held Nov. 20 at St. Ann's in Marietta, was an indication of how some youth of the Church have plugged into the beat of the Mass and their personal faith experiences.

Father Dale Fushek, creator of the Life Teen program and pastor of St. Timothy's in Mesa, AZ, and Phil Baniewicz, national director of the Life Teen program, used contemporary liturgical music, sign language, instructional sessions, the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and the Mass to help teens experience the unconditional love of Christ.

The rally began as teens were introduced to the music of Tom Booth, director of music ministry for Life Teen. Booth used his music to build community and unity among the youth.

The young people sang and signed the refrain from a song written by Booth "I Will Choose Christ," the theme of the youth rally, and "His Banner Over Me Is Love."

Archbishop John F. Donoghue attended the community building session of the rally and was greeted with a standing ovation from the youth. St. Ann's pastor, Father Bob Susann, MS, gave the Archbishop a "Get a Life" shirt which the youth were also wearing. The shirt displayed the slogan, "Life Teen ... it's big, it's hip, it's fun, it's Catholic." Archbishop Donoghue described the turnout as "marvelous."

"It really makes me think the future of the Church is in good hands." He liked the fact that the Life Teen Mass is Eucharist-based, providing youth with intimate contact with the Lord.

The teens were then asked by Father Fushek if they were ready to commit themselves to Christ. He asked the youth to pray and make the conscious decision to make Christ the center of their lives. The teens knelt and prayed. As they had made their decision, they left their pews and proceeded to the altar where they made their decision public, kissing a large wooden cross and proclaiming "I choose Christ."

After kissing the cross, many teens remained at the altar as tears ran down their faces. Some stayed at the foot of the cross, so overwhelmed by their recent faith experience they seemed reluctant to move. Others were greeted with a hug from teens they may or may not have known, receiving affirmation for their faith decision. Still others kissed the cross and quietly retreated to their seats to reflect.

Father Fushek reminded the youth as the first session drew to a close that they choose Christ each time they receive the Eucharist.

"This program (Life Teen) works because it is centered on the Eucharist," Baniewicz said.

During the following session, Father Fushek explained to the teens that through transubstantiation the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. "As you receive the body of Christ, you become the presence of Christ for the world." This concept is also at the heart of the Life Teen program.

"I have never understood why Christ let himself be crucified. Now I understand why he died for us," said Jennifer Goodwin, from St. Oliver Plunkett's Life Teen Program in Snellville.

Father Fushek and Baniewicz then performed a skit of the Last Supper, where Christ instituted the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the gift of Himself.

Teens were then asked to determine if they needed healing in any area of their lives. They were asked to write the healing they sought on a sheet of paper, which they would later offer to God. A time of worship, the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, followed.

During the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, teens laid their requests for healing at the altar. Father Fushek invited those seeking healing to stay at the altar and allow clergy, youth ministers and volunteers to pray for them. Teens arrived at the altar in mass numbers and dropped to their knees, seeking the power of God's love. Teens could be seen surrounded by five or six adults who gently laid their hands upon them.

Many returned to the wooden cross, where they had previously committed themselves to Christ, and knelt at the foot of the cross again as they sought his healing presence.

One young man knelt at the foot of the cross and quietly but audibly said, "Please be with me. I feel you coming ... Stay with me and don't ever leave me again..." Suddenly a smile overtook him and he began to cry as he gripped the base of the cross. Within seconds a youth minister laid his hands on the teen and began to pray with him.

In the final session, Father Fushek explained how the teens can be Catholic in today's world. Father Fushek explained that liturgy should be the center of the Christian life. "It proclaims the passion, death and resurrection of Christ, and our share in it."

He advised teens to schedule Sunday around the liturgy, making it a priority. He reminded the teens that Sunday is the day Jesus broke the bonds of sin and death, and came to new Life.

The rally concluded with the Mass celebrating the feast of Christ the King.

A Life Teen Mass calls teens into service. They are called to be ministers of hospitality as they usher, provide music and participate in skits and the Eucharistic celebration.

"We work at giving them ownership of the Mass," Father Fushek said. Providing the young people with a sense of ownership also means speaking to them in homilies and developing a sense of community and belonging, according to the priest.

"You must believe the teens are worth speaking to ... They are not the Church of tomorrow; they are the Church of today," Father Fushek said.

Father Fushek told the youth during his homily, "The victory of Jesus Christ happened here today and it was almost a miracle."

Today is the day our hearts soar with hope ... If you are going to bank on anything, bank on Christ," he said.

During the consecration of the Eucharist, as is typical in any Life Teen Mass, the youth were invited into the sanctuary to experience the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. All 950 in attendance surrounded the altar and overflowed down the aisles.

"The whole idea that teens participated in the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, purchased liturgical music and thought the best part of the weekend was the celebration of the Mass is incredible," said Randy Raus, St. Ann's youth minister.

After the celebration of the Mass concluding the youth rally, Father Fushek told the youth, "I probably won't see you again until we are in heaven together. And the thought of being in heaven with you makes it all more appealing."