Youth group brings Jesus' last steps to life
CRANBERRY TWP — Although Christ's final days are a topic during the season of Lent, teens at St. Ferdinand Roman Catholic Church begin preparing for the observance every year in January.
Their work concludes with a series of Living Stations prayer services, which include enacted scenes that depict the final hours, or passion, of Christ.
"People don't know what to expect, and when it's over, they come away moved," said Josh Keir, who portrays a soldier who accompanies Jesus on his horrific trek to crucifixion.
Keir is one of 55 youths in grades nine through 12 who take part in the 26-year-old program.
The teens portray people in the story and perform lighting, makeup, narration and sound duties, traveling to parishes throughout the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh each week of Lent.
At each location, they prepare lighting, sound and makeup and do a quick rehearsal to familiarize themselves with the church's layout. When the program begins, music pours from a CD and bright lights illuminate the scene of each station, where the actors are shown frozen in the moment while a narrator explains what is happening at that point in Jesus' journey to Calvary.
At most churches, the priest and altar boys walk to each portrait depicting the events at each station. But Living Stations, said erstwhile angel Page Conrad, is a more poignant, dramatic way to demonstrate Christ's agony and eventual death.
"It's more real," said Conrad, who portrays the angel who accompanies Jesus throughout his torturous journey. "People have time to soak up the impact of a scene."
Conrad said because of her faith, it is sometimes difficult to remain stone-faced during the more heart-wrenching stations.
"It takes a lot of effort to hold my emotions for some scenes," said the Seneca Valley senior, "but when it's over, people come up to you and say 'You've touched my life.' It's one of the coolest things I've ever done."
Conrad's is a technically challenging part, as the angel, who appears in most of the 14 scenes must appear to hover ethereally over the scene. In the scene in the garden, Conrad is positioned near the three sleeping apostles and looks at Jesus with comfort after his betrayal — all while hiding her feet and sitting ever-so-lightly on a rock.In the final station, Conrad is positioned high above the lifeless body of Jesus as he lies in his distraught mother's arms. Conrad said a church in Beaver County allowed her to climb up on a 20-foot ledge over the altar to portray the comforting angel from there.The angel being above the scenes is something new this year, she said.She appreciates the powerful impact Living Stations has on people, especially because it is entirely produced and portrayed by teenagers."I think it shows people that teens are still devoted to the church," said Conrad. "It's cool to see a passion put on by kids."Conrad was also quick to praise the 27 adult members of St. Ferdinand whose volunteer efforts keep Living Stations running smoothly."We are so thankful for them," agreed Seneca Valley senior Gina George. "They are some of the greatest people."George plays the Virgin Mary in Living Stations. She played a crippled person twice and last year was one of the women Jesus encounters along his journey."It helped me understand more what our religion believes in," she said."Also, I've met some of my closest friends there, and I know I will be friends with them my whole life. And I really figured out who I am and what my beliefs are."She said playing the faultless Mary was a daunting responsibility, but she has done her best. George feels the Blessed Virgin, an important part of the Catholic doctrine, would approve of Living Stations."I feel like if I were able to talk to her, she would be so proud of this organization."Andrea Wheeler, youth minister at St. Ferdinand, said the high schoolers begin rehearsing for Living Stations in January.For their weekly performances, the teens arrive at each church at 3 p.m. and sometimes don't leave until 10 p.m.Wheeler said it is advantageous for the teens involved in Living Stations to witness the church outside of their parish, and it shows youth groups in churches they visit there is no limit on what a youth group can accomplish."If we went out of business one day because every church youth group did this, that would be great," Wheeler said.Wheeler said the teens behind the scenes work as hard as those portraying characters, applying makeup and perfecting lighting and sound."They work like professionals," said Wheeler. "You wouldn't believe these kids."George said locals should come see the Good Friday production at St. Ferdinand because "It's an eye-opener."People think life is bad, and they have lows. Then they realize what Jesus went through and they think 'Maybe I don't have it as bad as I think.'"It helps people focus on the positive," George said.
<B>WHAT: </B>Living Stations of the Cross performed in tableau by members of St. Ferdinand Roman Catholic Church Youth Group<B>WHEN: </B>8 p.m. April 10, Good Friday<B>WHERE: </B>St. Ferdinand, Rochester Road, Cranberry Township
