We are still in recap mode on the National Catholic Youth Conference.  (See our previous reflections and news item postings.)  The Catholic Key has posted more pictures, some of which appear below. Further, although it is not an official news posting, a Catholic cop offers his own thoughts on fourteen amazing things about NCYC

KANSAS CITY, MO — They clogged downtown streets, jammed restaurants, took up hotel rooms, ate up parking spaces and generally inconvenienced downtown Kansas City. But the nearly 21,000 teens and their 3,000 adult chaperones and local volunteers also gave the city a three-day gift of faith. They came to bring themselves closer to Christ. By the time they left the 2009 National Catholic Youth Conference Nov. 19-21, they showed Kansas City — and the world watching live on the Internet — what happens when Jesus Christ pours out of the hearts of thousands of believers. Read more of the Catholic News Service article Thousands of youth converge on Kansas City to celebrate their faith.

KANSAS CITY, MO — Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston reminded thousands of teens who packed a Kansas City arena that Jesus is the vine and they are the branches and that in the Eucharist they become one with him. “Where does Jesus live?” he asked the teens. “He doesn’t answer to an address on San Jacinto Drive in Houston. Jesus abides with his Abba, his daddy, his Father. There are many houses in his home, and he wants all of you, and me, to be branches of the vine.” The cardinal and his director of youth ministry, Brian Johnson, delivered the morning keynote address Nov. 20 at the first general session of the 2009 National Catholic Youth Conference in the Sprint Center. “It’s not enough to come to this weekend and act crazy and go ‘Wooooooooooo!’” said Johnson. “We need to be the hands of Christ in our world.” Read more of the Catholic News Service article Cardinal tells teens Jesus wants them ‘to be branches of the vine

SIOUX CITY, IA — When they left Thursday for a bus ride down to the National Catholic Youth Conference in Kansas City, most of the youth had no idea what was in store for them. By the time they returned Sunday evening, many of them experienced their faith in a way like never before. Jessica La Fleur Malm, diocesan director of youth and young adult ministry, hopes that this experience will allow the youth of the diocese to have a greater understanding of the universal church and a deeper appreciation for the kingdom, she said. She also wants them to feel uplifted and empowered by their youth.  NCYC is important for diocesan youth to attend because it allows them to see the universality of the church, La Fleur said. “As Jesse Manibusen said at the conference, we are many buildings, but one Church,” she said. “We are different, but not separate. NCYC illustrates that so incredibly clearly through our prayer, worship and community. There was even a group from Japan there!”  Read more of the Catholic Globe article ‘Christ Reigns’ for diocesan youth at NCYC

ROCHESTER, NY — The lights may have faded out on the National Catholic Youth Conference, but Audi Hamilton plans to keep spreading the spiritual glow she acquired over a three-day period in Kansas City, Mo. This NCYC became so much more than just expressing our faith or being surrounded by God’s love. It became how the real world should be, with Christ’s love and commitment flowing through every person there,” she stated. Read more of the Catholic Courier’s article Youth conference’s impact is far-reaching,