PHOTO BY THOMAS SPINK

LILBURN—More than 800 students spent a recent Saturday meeting new friends and learning ways to perform acts of mercy at the annual Middle School Catholic Fest at St. John Neumann Church in Lilburn.

Evangelist and vocalist Paul J. Kim, visiting from Orange County, California, talked to Middle School Fest attendees about how to treat each other and how to treat God. Photo By Thomas Spink

The festival-like event, held Feb. 27, included praise and worship, adoration, activities and carnival treats. Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory was celebrant of the closing Mass.

Katherine Angulo, associate director of youth ministry for the archdiocese, said participation in the event was double that of last year’s and youth attending represented 40 different parishes.

“This is a wonderful gathering of our middle school students,” said Angulo.

Many of the students attend public schools and an event of this scale helps them realize “they are not alone in their faith,” she said.

Priests were available to offer the sacrament of reconciliation to youth.

International evangelist and vocalist Paul Kim was the keynote speaker.

“He has a very good talent to connect with the kids,” said Angulo.

Kim has released two music albums, “The World Sings” and “Run Fly Fall,” and is a featured speaker at the Steubenville summer youth conferences.

Middle school teens packed lotion and soap, among other items, for the archdiocesan Prison Ministry to distribute to people in prison. Photo By Thomas Spink

Kim spoke about the concept of the Year of Mercy, including how to practice and receive mercy.

One of the corporal works of mercy is to visit those in prison. While young people are not permitted to visit prisons, they did learn a way to support inmates.

The youth created links with prayers to create prayer chains for those in prison so they will know there is someone on the outside who cares. The chains will be shared with inmates during retreats.

“I know Archbishop Gregory was touched by it,” said Angulo.

The role of the ministry and this event is to help teens from various parish youth groups answer the question, “Where do I belong?” said Angulo.

“They are not just a local church,” she added.

Those attending enjoyed a Chick-fil-A meal, cotton candy, snow cones and field day activities.

“They have games to help build community,” said Angulo.

The Middle School Fest provided games galore, including this large stacking game being played by Matthew Murphy, of Prince of Peace Church, Flowery Branch. Photo By Thomas Spink

One highlight of the day was a dance revolution held indoors. When the lights were turned out, the students discovered that their Catholic fest T-shirts glowed in the dark with an “M” for mercy on the front.

“They were very excited when they saw that,” said Angulo. She said the surprise T-shirts illustrated the point that mercy is with us all along.

Angulo credited the participating youth ministers and more than 140 volunteers, including parents and other leaders, with making the event a success.

The ministry also initiated plans to offer a middle school track at the 2017 Eucharistic Congress.

The teens gave rave reviews to the third annual festival, which is quickly outgrowing the Lilburn parish site.

“We had very good feedback from the event,” said Angulo. “They are really ready to be part of the Church.”