Youths hope to leave their mark on the Church with their contributions

Aaron Bauman, a senior in the San Damiano Scholars program at Marian University in Indianapolis, shows the giant, plastic building block that features an intriguing question for youths at the interactive exhibit hall of the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis on Nov. 20. (Photo by John Shaughnessy)

By John Shaughnessy

One of the challenges to the young people at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis on Nov. 20-22 involved giant, plastic, building blocks and this intriguing question:

What does the Church need, and you can provide?

After considering the question, many of the youths took a royal blue marker and began writing their answer on a large, gray building block—taking up the invitation that Marian University in Indianapolis offered the youths in their area inside the interactive exhibit hall of the Indiana Convention Center.

Once they finished their answers, the youths added their blocks to an ever-growing structure.

Here are some of the answers the youths gave, hoping to leave their mark in more ways than one:

“Spreading God’s love through joy.”

“Community. We can provide this by showing up for one another and helping those in need with the resources we have.”

“Making everyone feel welcome.”

“Service to the poor.”

“I can provide more prayers.”

“Kindness and remembering not to judge.”

“The Church needs people who care.”

“Activities to help children learn better in Mass.”

“I can provide positivity.”

“More art-focused parishes, windows and programs to motivate the youth to share their talents.”

“I can bring my friends to church.”

“Love and charity. Outreach.”

“The Church needs more people to share their time, treasure and talents to spread the Good News.”

“I can provide love and my presence.” †

The Criterion

November 20, 2025

Youths hope to leave their mark on the Church with their contributions

By John Shaughnessy

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