Teens will ‘engage faith on their own level’ at Festival of Families

Building on the success of last year’s event, the teen session at the upcoming Festival of Families promises to be a fun, faith-filled experience.

The Diocese of St. Cloud will host the second annual event on Sunday, Feb. 2, at St. Francis Xavier Church in Sartell. The focus of the daylong celebration is to give families the opportunity to get to know each other, share their faith and have fun in the process.

Scott Frieler

“We learned a lot last year, and I think the goal is just to build off of that momentum,” said Scott Frieler, director of faith formation at Sacred Heart in Sauk Rapids who is helping plan the teen session.

This year’s session will be divided into two parts. The first will be a combination of icebreakers, music, games, talks and discussion, all to encourage teens to connect their everyday lives with their faith.

In the second half, teens can choose from two workshop options. One is a creative prayer experience called “Painting the Word,” where they will hear a Scripture passage, reflect on it and then paint a small canvas as a way to engage more deeply in what God is communicating to them through the passage.

In the other workshop, they can pose questions to two priests of the diocese, Father Tom Knoblach and Father Mitchell Bechtold.

“In this ‘Stump the Priest’ session, young people can ask those questions they have always wanted answered but have never asked,” said Christine Pinto, director of faith formation for the diocese and the festival’s organizer.

“These changes in the teen session are designed to help young people get to know others from around the diocese while exploring their faith,” she said.

Frieler said he hopes the teens participating come away with a positive experience of faith.

“I think there are so many things and so many experiences that give them negative feelings about church and faith,” he said. “I want them to say, ‘Wow, the Catholic faith is something that can be fun and engaging.’”

The session also aims to spark curiosity.

“Hopefully ‘Painting the Word’ or visiting with Father Tom [and Father Mitchell] sparks curiosity that drives them to want to learn more about their faith,” Frieler said. “That’s ultimately what we want — lifelong learners and people that have that desire to keep asking questions and keep searching to know Jesus better.”

In the teen session and the whole Festival of Families event, there is something for everyone, no matter where they are on their faith journey, Pinto said.

“I think what is so great about the Festival of Families is the opportunity for everyone to engage with faith on their own level,” she said. “If you are a serious student of faith, there’s a place for you. If you are just starting to explore what it means to be a Catholic Christian, there’s something for you too. No judgment or fear, only curiosity that leads to a deeper understanding of what it means to be Church – the People of God – together, building a relationship with our loving God and Father.”

If you go:
What: 2025 Festival of Families
Where: St. Francis Xavier Church, Sartell
When: Feb. 2, 2025 — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $25/family, scholarships available
Registration deadline: Jan. 27

Pictured above, teens participate in an ice-breaker game during last year’s event. (Dianne Towalski / The Central Minnesota Catholic) 
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Author: Dianne Towalski

Dianne Towalski is a multimedia reporter for The Central Minnesota Catholic Magazine.

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