Over 1,800 young people from 50 parishes and schools from throughout the diocese filled the American Bank Center’s Selena Auditorium for Mass, Adoration, live music, games, and fellowship.

Announced as the "Extreme Event of the Year," the diocesan Middle School and High School Youth Spectacular lived up to its billing as over 1,800 young people with their parish and school youth ministers and chaperons packed the American Bank Center on March 7.

The theme was "Experiencing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary," and every aspect of the event reflected that message including setting aside time to recognize Bishop Edmond Carmody, as he neared his retirement. The middle and high school levels, which usually hold separate events, joined this year to honor the retiring bishop.

"We wanted to give the youth as much substance as possible in the short amount of time we had. That is why we had a rock band, keynote speakers, Mass celebrated by Bishop Carmody, confession sessions, exposition with adoration, chastity talks, and lots of fun games. We wanted to impact the youth with the extraordinary in ordinary events," said Benjamin Nye, director and organizer of this event.

The crowd filled every seat in the bottom portion and two thirds of the balcony in the Selena Auditorium. The morning began with a Christian rock band singing religious songs as members of the Diocesan Youth Council encouraged everyone to jump to their feet to dance and sing along.

Resembling a rock concert, bodies swayed as flashes of light from cameras lit up the darkness.

Energized, the youths were anxious to hear the words and messages from keynote speaker, Andy Lesnefsky of Wextford, Pennsylvania.

Not much older than the high school youths attending the Spectacular, Lesnefsky urged the youth to look for and listen to God in their lives every day.

"God calls you in the midst of your ordinary day. God is like us. God wants to draw you closer to him."

Lesnefsky, a youth minister at his parish, St. Alexis in Wextford, connected with the young people by reminding them that "there is more to life than being comfortable in your spirituality. You need to dig deeper in your spirituality. You must make time every day to hear God’s voice. God loves you where you are at this moment."

Ending his talk, Lesnefsky asked the audience to close their eyes and to become still and silent.

"Take a moment to pray. Take a moment and picture Jesus in your mind. Talk to God. Come to God and receive a sense of peace and a sense of joy. God has amazing and extraordinary events planned for you. Don’t check out."

Immediately following Lesnefsky’s keynote address, Mass began with Bishop Edmond Carmody as celebrant.

Young people carrying banners representing each of the participating parishes, missions and schools processed into the auditorium leading Bishop Carmody to the stage. The bishop said it was a wonderful sight to see the auditorium filled with young people proclaiming the Lord Jesus.

In the homily, the bishop thanked everyone for attending.

"It is wonderful to get together to affirm each other. When someone calls you by your name, you are important."

Bishop Carmody appealed to the congregation to remember that "everything you do depends on your attitude. Decisions you make affect your attitude. Don’t go through life complaining or making excuses. No one benefits. Excuses are a cop out."

He said, "Go through life lifting people up. You must always be lifting people up. To be truly Catholic, you must help people. You must be good."

The bishop concluded his homily by reminding the congregation to "pray."

"Listen and talk to the Lord. With Christ, all is possible."

After Mass, Bishop Carmody gave out awards to the outstanding youths and youth ministers of the diocese.

Stepping forward, Father Pete Elizardo, diocesan director of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry, said, "We have gathered here today with the middle school and high school youths to thank the Lord for Bishop Carmody."

At that moment, everyone stood up, clapping and cheering as a clearly humbled and moved Bishop Carmody stood and acknowledged their praises.

"It is easy to love you. You are a loveable bunch. Your attitude has been right. You are wonderful people. Use the brains God gave you and never leave anyone behind." The bishop said he will not be far away in his retirement as he plans to "continue to take care of the youth at John Paul II High School."

Director of Youth Formation at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Alfonzo Ramirez reminded everyone how Bishop Carmody has always focused on the positive in guiding his flock.

"You have always stated that a rising tide raises all boats. You, Bishop Carmody, are the rising tide for the Diocese of Corpus Christi."

Benjamin Nye announced that a huge spiritual bouquet had been created by the young people attending in honor of Bishop Carmody’s dedication to the youth of the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

The spiritual bouquet contained thousands of prayers and acts of kindness offered up to God in thanksgiving for the bishop.

Nye said the event presented them with "an incredible opportunity to celebrate Bishop Carmody’s years of service to our diocese and youth as a humble and loving shepherd." He said that by coming together they were able to "honor a man who lived the extraordinary in the ordinary; a true priest in this year of the priesthood."

Father Elizardo and Nye said they were very pleased with the success of the event.

While the Youth Spectacular will not be combined again in the near future, both men were excited about the number of young people participating.

"I was very impressed with the quality of 2010 Youth Spectacular," said Father Elizardo.

"Over the past ten years, the number of youths participating has increased. I hope that the youth of the Diocese of Corpus Christi will continue to be encouraged to tithe their time and talent to God. We need to allow and encourage the youth to be the faithful parishioners they are," said Father Elizardo.

For Nye, who is also a religion teacher at Incarnate Word Academy Middle School, the success of this event impacts future Youth Spectaculars.

"The best advertising we can have is word of mouth by the young people who attended the event. We can increase participation when the kids tell their friends about what a good time they had. Peers trust their peers."

The next high school spectacular will be held in October, 2010 and the middle school spectacular will be held February, 2011.