June 20, 2006
The JW Marriot Hotel in Houston will be rocking with enthusiasm this week as more than 700 Southeast Texas teenagers descend on the Bayou City for four days of celebration, education, faith sharing, and music. The activities are all part of the 40th year's annual Catholic Diocese of Beaumont Youth Convention, held June 21-24, 2006, at the Marriott at the Galleria.
Two of the keynote speakers echoing the theme of this year's conference -- Gathered in Faith, Sent Out in Love -- are singer-songwriters Sean Forrest of Columbia, Connecticut, and Shannon Cerneka of Fulton, Missouri. Both men use music and humor to move young audiences to Christian action.
Forrest, founder of Movin' With The Spirit Inc., left a lucrative career in secular music to perform and witness across the country alongside prominent Christian artists such as Steven Curtis Chapman and Jars of Clay. He has been honored twice by the United Catholic Music and Video Association -- once as Best New Artist of the Year.
Forrest, who doesn't believe in sugarcoating the truth, will be the opening keynote speaker Wednesday at 3pm. He intends to bring a powerful message to the teenagers, asking them to stop being lukewarm about their beliefs.
Cerneka, a born extrovert, began writing songs in high school. Two years ago, along with a friend, he formed Oddwalk Ministries, with the purpose of helping people of all ages embrace life. Cerneka is scheduled to speak Thursday at 10 am.
The four-day event will also give the Catholic teens an opportunity to attend Mass; watch Beaumont Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, throw out the first baseball at the Astros game; participate in workshops; and present their own "show business" skills at a talent show Thursday evening.
More than 800 teenagers and adults are registered to attend this year's convention. The Catholic Youth Convention is sponsored by the diocese's Office of Youth and Campus Ministry.