Blythe Dudley thinks her Catholic high school, Villa Walsh Academy in Morristown, N.J., embodies the faith-filled sentiment of a placard it proudly displays on campus. The sign proclaims, “Let it be known to all who enter here that Jesus Christ is the reason for this school.”
“At Villa Walsh, faith is not just in theology class, but also in other parts of the school,” said Dudley, a senior at Villa Walsh, run by the Religious Teachers Filippini. She listed some of the school’s faith-inspired undertakings: prayer before classes, a monthly rosary, and food and clothing drives for charity.
On Feb. 17, Dudley joined 70 teens from seven Catholic high schools in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey for discussions with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney about what makes their schools Catholic and how to live that identity. They came together, joined by their campus ministers and some of their school’s administration, for the 3rd annual Youth Encounter with Bishop Sweeney at St. Paul Inside the Walls Center for Evangelization in Madison, N.J.
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Students examined the Catholic mission and culture of their schools. They also explored how they can strengthen that culture and live a better life of faith to encourage others to “Set the world on fire” with Christ, as St. Catherine of Siena urged.
Representatives of the following high schools participated: The Academy of St. Elizabeth in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J., Villa Walsh and Delbarton High School, both, in Morristown, DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J., Mary Help of Christians Academy in North Haledon, N.J., Morris Catholic High School in Denville, N.J., and Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, N.J.
Bishop Sweeney led Eucharistic adoration in St. Paul’s auditorium, where the Youth Encounter was held. Students participated in small-group discussions, large-group sharing, and hands-on activities. They also listened to testimony from two Catholic high school graduates.
“Our Catholic identity is knowing that God is with us in the Eucharist,” Bishop Sweeney said at adoration. “We can be with Jesus in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Then, we can see him in everyone, especially the poor,” he said.
Students joined in an exercise that helped them clarify various aspects of their school’s Catholic identity by choosing appropriate words from the following bank: faith, service, community, tradition, and excellence.
During public sharing, some students said they felt most connected to their faith through their friendly communities and service. Another said, “The faith culture shapes our morals.”
“In the silence of prayer during the Youth Encounter, I heard God say, ‘This is where I want you,’” Dudley said. “Being around like-minded people trying to love Jesus and their neighbors is encouraging.”
Then, Father Paul Manning, diocesan vicar for evangelization and education, presented short videos created by the schools about their Catholic identity.
Andrew Anselmi, an attorney, co-founding partner of Anselmi & Carvelli, and a Catholic leader, told students how his education as a member of the Delbarton Class of ’83, his Catholic upbringing, and his involvement with St. Paul’s helped form his faith. He said he learned to be “curious about and love everything” and, as a lawyer, to show compassion, even to his adversaries.
“Faith brings joy to life,” said Anselmi, adding that he prays each morning and wears a cross, in part, to “show his faith” to others.
Father Frank Lennie, DePaul’s chaplain and a 2010 graduate of the school, told students, “The world wants to put you into a mold — to look, dress, and act the same.”
“Don’t be cookie-cutter. God wants us to be his hands and feet in the world. We all have different missions. Make them personal and then set the world on fire,” said Father Lennie, adding that he is inspired by his students’ love, kindness, forgiveness, and service.
The Youth Encounter Day started in 2023 as part of the diocese’s engagement in the Synod on Synodality. Since then, Bishop Sweeney has continued the tradition of meeting annually with the high school youth and campus ministers as part of his pastoral leadership.
Dudley said she tries to embody the characteristics of Jesus, such as respect, kindness, and friendliness, in her relationships. At the end of the Youth Encounter, she completed a Personal Commitment Card, pledging to grow closer to Christ by “living my faith boldly.”
“I’m still working on it,” Dudley said.
