High school-aged Catholics from the diocese flocked to the Anaheim Convention Center on Feb. 20 to participate in the 2025 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress Youth Day. The theme of this year’s Youth Day was “You are enough! You belong!”
Youth Day is the official start to the Religious Education Congress weekend as a day-long celebration for high school youth to come together in a spirit-filled event to experience a liturgy, a keynote and two workshops.
Youth Day 2025 began in the Convention Center arena with the opening session led by a group of young Catholics from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, who provided their own testimonies to the crowd. The opening session also included a keynote speech entitled, “To Him, you are enough” by Jessica Cox. Cox, born without arms, shared her inspiring story of resilience, faith and journey to becoming the world’s first licensed armless pilot. Cox told the young Catholics in the audience that to God, they are enough, and their own unique gifs should be embraced and shared.
“I hope that this message resonates with each and every one of you, that you are a child of God, you belong, you are enough,” Cox said.
During a break in between the keynote speech, the group of Young Catholic emcees brought out three local musicians for a quick Catholic-themed rap battle to entertain the audience. One of the musicians was the Diocese of San Bernardino’s very own Chris Estrella, Aquinas High School teacher, choir director and campus ministry leader. Estrella was welcomed to the stage with loud cheers and applause. Estrella also led one of the seven morning workshops provided for attendees entitled, “The Face of Jesus- Who is He to you?”
During lunch, the young Catholics from the Diocese present at Youth Day had the opportunity for a meet and greet with Bishop Alberto Rojas. These young Catholics were able to meet Bishop Rojas, talk with him and take a memorable photo with him.
After lunch, the young Catholics gathered back into the arena to celebrate Mass. The chief celebrant was Archbishop Jose Gomez from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. In his homily, Archbishop Gomez echoed the day’s theme of belonging.
“Who you are, depends on who Jesus is… you are not just some random creature, another creature on the planet earth, you are a child of God,” Archbishop Gomez said.