GAYLORD — Students across the diocese in grades 9-12 are encouraged to participate in the 2012 Sr. High Youth Rally on Saturday, March 17, at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Gaylord. By popular request, we will welcome back internationally renowned musician and speaker Sal Solo. Sal was last in Gaylord in 2005 where his dynamic approach inspired more than 200 youth from across diocese. This year Sal will use his musical talent and multimedia presentations to highlight the theme “CREED”ing a New You. He will bring to life the words of the Creed and explain the basics of our Catholic faith. Joining Sal for the Rally will be the 2012 National Catholic Youth Conference talent winner, Mathias Michael.
Sal has been playing music since his teenage years. He acquired his first guitar when he was twelve, and by the time he finished high school he had put together an amateur band. The group, calling themselves “The News” (long before Huey Lewis), eventually turned professional. Over the next several years, Sal was lead singer for several other bands, including “Classix Nouveux,” eventually going out on his own as a single performer.
Sal Solo
In 1983, Sal met Nick Beggs of the band “Kajagoogoo.” Beggs, a “born again Christian,” persuaded him to go on a pilgrimage to San Damiano in Italy. Sal was hesitant at first, but then became “soaked up in the atmosphere of prayer” and even considered abandoning his singing career for a monastic life. Another pilgrim on the journey told him, “Young people of the world are looking for answers. You’ve found what they are looking for…you can use music to tell them.”
Known internationally for his gentle and respectful way of delivering the Lord’s message through contemporary music, Sal Solo touches the hearts and souls of all who attend his concerts. His spirit, energy and enthusiasm for the Gospel brings teens to Christ. His personal interactions with them encourages them to make tough decisions and positive choices in their lives.
Doors will open at 9:30 on March 17, with the Youth Rally officially getting underway at 10 a.m. The event will conclude after a 4 p.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Bernard A.Hebda. Cost is $30.00 per student; lunch and refreshments are included. Registration materials have been provided to all parishes and Catholic high schools, and may also be accessed online at www.dioceseofgaylord.org. (Type “2012 Youth Rally” in the search box.) Deadline to register is March 9, 2012.
Planned by the Secretariat for Faith Development and the Gaylord Diocesan Youth Council, this annual event gives high students an opportunity to join with youth from across the diocese to experience church and community in a special way.It gives them the chance to share faith, friendship and fun, while learning new things about life and about themselves.
For more information concerning the Diocesan Senior High Youth Rally, please contact your parish youth minister or Dannie Brzezinski by phone (989) 732-5147 or via e-mail at dbrzezinski@dioceseofgaylord.org.†