College Park
Singer Pip Added To Congress Youth Track
By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer | Published May 24, 2012
Singer Pip is scheduled to perform and speak at the June Eucharistic Congress.
A Marietta native, Phillip “Pip” Arnold recently appeared in front of millions as he performed on “The Voice” on NBC.
The 2012 Eucharistic Congress will take place on June 8 and 9. More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the annual celebration of Catholic faith. The Excite Youth Track, where Pip will sing and share his faith story, will take place under a covered tent outside. The track begins at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, June 9.
And in a first, the day will include a service project for young people called “Mission Possible.” This project will restock a food truck to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Every person is encouraged to bring cans of food to donate.
With the theme focused on missionary work, speakers from the Fellowship of Catholic University Students and National Evangelization Team will also talk to young people about living lives of faith.
Phillip, 19, grew up in St. Joseph Church, Marietta, where he was an altar server, started a teen band, and was a member of Life Teen.
Phillip is the son of Jim and Chris Arnold. The family lives in his hometown and attends St. Joseph Church where Jim is the facility manager for the parish. Chris is one of the Sewing Sisters, who, with her sister, sews liturgical vestments and other items for churches and clergy in the Atlanta Archdiocese and beyond. The family has often attended the Eucharistic Congress.
John Huynh, who heads the youth and young adults programs of the archdiocesan Office of Formation and Discipleship, said the addition of Pip’s witness to the Eucharistic Congress youth track will inspire others.
“Pip has an incredible story of faith, perseverance and generosity. Being 19, his story brings to light what one person can do when driven to succeed. With his love for the missions, Pip plans to continue his journey of missionary work and wants to spread the message of what a youth can do today,” said Huynh in an email.
Pip will perform “I’m On Fire” by Switchfoot, followed by a short testimony of his journey and experience being on “The Voice” and how he ties that all back to his love of missionary work.
Huynh said the performer is well known, so he has an opportunity to evangelize with his life by “spreading that love of the Eucharist to others.”