Participants laugh during a fast-paced game of Simon Says at the start of the youth rally. (Malea Hargett photo)

National speaker and singer Steve Agrisano picks a winner of Simon Says. Agrisano has performed at seven World Youth Days as well as the National Catholic Youth Conference. (Malea Hargett photo)

Sisters Catherine Luttmer and Mary Clare Bezner, Olivetan Benedictine nuns from Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, lead the hand motions while the crowd sang “Lean On Me.” (Malea Hargett photo)

Five diocesan seminarians kneel during Mass celebrated by Father Jeff Hebert at the conclusion of Glory on the Grounds June 6. (Malea Hargett photo)

Rachel Ridgeway from Christ the King Church in Little Rock and Andrew Lee from St. John Church in Russellville receive Communion from Father Patrick Friend. (Malea Hargett photo)

Father Jeff Hebert distributes Communion during Mass at Glory on the Grounds June 6. (Malea Hargett photo)

Deacon Danny Hartnedy of Christ the King Church in Little Rock carries the monstrance around St. John Center in Little Rock as worshippers bow and kneel. (Malea Hargett photo)

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Glory on the Grounds draws 350 teens to Little Rock

Diocesan youth ministry program hosted the first event since the COVID-19 pandemic

Published: June 17, 2021

By Malea Hargett
Editor

Malea Hargett

Jacob Thompson (from left) A. J. Orr and Zack Ellis from Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock hold hands during the Our Father at the Glory on the Grounds youth rally at St. John Center June 6. The outdoor rally was the first diocesan youth event held since March 2020.

Malea Hargett

The Diocese of Little Rock’s youth ministry program restarted June 6 with an outdoor youth rally, Glory on the Grounds, at St. John Center in Little Rock. All diocesan statewide youth events, including the state convention and Search retreats, have been canceled since March 2020 because of restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 350 teens in seventh to 12th grade attended to hear nationally known musician and speaker Steve Agrisano. Agrisano was originally scheduled to be the keynote speaker for the 2020 state convention and rescheduled for April 2021. Director Liz Tingquist said she was happy he could reschedule a third time as a fun, kick-off event to get teens back into youth ministry.

Everyone came prepared with chairs, umbrellas and tents to ensure the event wasn’t canceled because of rain. The day included lunch, Mass and a Eucharistic procession for the feast of Corpus Christi.

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