St. John Newburgh Youth Complete '30 Hour Fast'

Over the weekend of March 1-2, 63 young people gathered at St. John the Baptist Parish in Newburgh to participate in a 30-Hour Famine that is part of the Worldvision organization, which seeks to feed and empower the hungry and poor around the world.

Each participant fasted for 30 hours in solidarity with those they raised funds for. They arrived at the parish at 6 p.m. March 1 for an 18-hour lock-in.

They gathered for a candlelight service where they were invited to write what keeps them from a closer relationship to God on a piece of paper, then light it from a candle and deposit it into a trashcan. They offered this up as a burnt offering to God, and then lit a candle of their own and read Matthew chapter 5 together. They focused on the idea that, like it or not, they were the light of the world and that they have an obligation to be the best they can be for God, and to live a life of caring for others.

The young people moved to the gym Sunday morning to play the TRIBE games. They split into five different “countries” and competed for cards representing water, food, shelter, health, etc. By participating in a variety of “survivor” like events, they obtained a better understanding of what it is to truly struggle for the things that we take for granted.

The weekend also included a trip to Walther’s Golf and Fun, and Willow Bowling lanes.

For more information on Worldvision and its 30-Hour Famine, visit www.worldvision.org.