About two thousand young people from at least 65 parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford gathered on Sept. 12 at the Archdiocesean Center at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield. Check out the photos at http//:www.transcript.smugmug.com.

BLOOMFIELD – They came in buses and vans. They came one at a time in cars. They came from the five corners of the Archdiocese – Canaan, Enfield, Marlborough, Madison, Milford – and 61 other parishes in between. They came, all 2,036 of them, to the fifth annual Catholic Youth Spectacular on Sept. 12, on the grounds of the Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary. And they all made a joyful noise.

"Every year, we’ve come," said Carolyn Brodginski, as several teens piled out of her van after traveling from St. John Fisher Parish in Marlborough. Ms. Brodginski is coordinator of the religious group there.

While the Catholic rock group eXaudio performed at a bandstand, Shawnee Baldwin, coordinator of the event, sponsored by the Office of Religious Education (ORE), was rounding up groups of teens to form a procession around the vast south lawn of the seminary building.

The theme was "Empowered by the Spirit: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives." This concept was brought home by keynote entertainer Jesse Manibusan’s declaration, "I’m not extra-courageous or extra-special." Instead, he said, "I’m here because I’m imperfect. I’m here because I’m surrounded by angels and saints."

The Catholic Youth Spectacular is an opportunity for young Catholics in grade seven through college to enjoy each other’s company and to share fun, food, entertainment and prayer. As Archbishop Henry J. Mansell said, "It’s just wonderful to see so many young people and adults, more than 2,000 people here, who share the same aspirations, the same experiences, good things they’re doing in their lives. They recognize they’re not doing just as one or two or 10 or 15 people, but there are more than 2,000 here sharing the same experiences and seeing the wonder that is their life and the wonder that is the life of the Church."

Anthony Asmar and Katie Ashmead, both members of St. Bartholomew Parish in Manchester as well as the Diocesan Youth Council that helped Ms. Baldwin plan the day’s events, bore the banners – one for the ORE and one for the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Behind them were groups representing individual parishes or schools, each group bearing a placard with the name and image of a different saint. As they processed around the field, eXaudio sang and played, "When the Saints Go Marching In."

As the groups approached the stage, they deposited donated items of flower bulbs, shoes and flip-flops for people in Haiti, socks and shoes for babies at St. Gerard’s Center for Life in Hartford, and men’s socks for local homeless shelters.

"I had no idea we would get so many [donated items]," Ms. Baldwin said later, surveying hundreds of bags and boxes left under the stage. "This is great. This is a way for the kids to give back."

She also said the turnout is the highest since 2007, when 3,400 kids attended.

For many of the youth, singer-comedian Jesse Manibusan was the high point of the day. "I liked Jesse. He’s funny," said Michele Insignores of SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Hartford. "I also liked having fun and meeting with people, getting closer to God," she said. Miss Insignores went with several friends from the parish as part of their confirmation retreat.

Her assessment of Mr. Manibusan was shared by many, and apparently even by Archbishop Mansell, who, along with other adults, joined the kids in moving to the music while Mr. Manibusan joyfully sang, "Yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, Lord!"

Mr. Manibusan, a Catholic lay evangelist who was named Artist of the Year by the United Catholic Music and Video Association, told the crowd that he was a reluctant Catholic until his mother got him to perform his music at church events. He urged his listeners, "You don’t want to help? You help anyway. Don’t feel like going to Mass? You go anyway. Don’t feel like living your faith today? You live it anyway."

The Archbishop gave him a four-word review: "Very impressive. Very inspiring."

In his remarks to the youth, Msgr. Michael J. Motta, ORE director, said, "Jesus has given us a high bar to follow. In addition to the Golden Rule, we believe that we love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. That’s a high bar to achieve, but we’re called to do that, and you’re called to be disciples of Jesus who reach out to the world."

In his homily at Mass, Archbishop Mansell told the youth that they were extraordinary people. He complimented them for participating and thanked them for their generous outpouring of gifts.

Father Edmund Nadolny, Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in East Berlin, was one of many priests who heard confessions before Mass. He told the Transcript that it was important for the youth "to realize that the Church is not parochial to their little parishes, but it’s catholic, which means universal. When the kids see all these other kids from all over, they’ve got to be impressed. I’m impressed. They all came to realize that the Church is a family, a family of God."