Father Rey Bersabal’s eyes light up, his face becomes a work of animation, and his speech kicks into high gear.

All that’s required is for someone within earshot to mention “Praise Fest,” a musical event that is all about igniting the spirits of youth and young adults.

Held Jan. 4 at St. Paul Parish in Sacramento, Praise Fest brought together more than 100 high school and college students from the south Sacramento area.

“Kids like singing and when they sing, they want to sing loud, sing out for joy,” Father Bersabal said. “Singing draws them closer to one another and closer to God. What could be better?”

The pastor of St. Paul Parish knows of what he speaks. An accomplished guitarist, “the unplugged version,” Father Bersabal has established something of a reputation for himself as a musician in the diocese. Teamed up with Father Boyet Vibandor, parochial vicar at Sacramento’s St. Anthony Parish, the priests in duet received enthusiastic reviews for their performance at St. Anthony Parish’s festival last fall.

Father Bersabal also enjoys participating in music ministry at St. Paul’s liturgical and youth events.

His prior youth ministry experiences include working with college students from UC Davis at the Newman Catholic Center when he served from 1999 to 2001 as parochial vicar at St. James Parish in Davis, and most recently as parochial vicar and youth coordinator at St. Anthony Parish from 2001 until October 2003.

The idea of organizing the Praise Fest at St. Paul grew out of the parish community’s desire to develop youth activities to more fully involve young people in the life of the church.

“Our vision is to deepen youth’s relationship with their God and show the community that young kids are real church too,” Father Bersabal said.

Parishioner Joseph Monteagudo is active in youth ministry in the Sacramento area and as a missionary to troubled youth in Third World countries. Monteagudo was the facilitator of Praise Fest, which he describes as praise and music “that not only moves the spirit but touches the heart.”

The event featured a youth band, a Scripture-based teaching session, small group discussions with facilitators, and meditation.

The musical finale, Monteagudo said, is best described as “a time to really let go and give yourself up to God.”

“Christ speaks to us in the most gentle way sometimes, when we’re least expecting it,” he said.

James Tejada, 20, who played guitar at the event, found singing together with other young people to be a unifying experience.

“You’re all giving it up for God,” he said. “It’s space where you can feel comfortable.”

Parishioner Maryann Mayo, 15, said that when Father Bersabal announced plans for the Praise Fest during a Families in Jesus Christ youth group meeting she attended, she immediately signed up. It was, after all, praising God through music at Families in Christ activities that had brought Mayo back to her faith.

“I had grown apart from God until I got together with other high school students and had a chance to think about all the good things he has done in my life,” she said. “Praise Fest was another chance to get closer to God.”

It is Father Bersabal’s hope that Praise Fest is just the first of many future events for teens and young adults in the Sacramento area to come together.

“What better avenue to challenge their energy than to make a joyful noise for God?” he asked.

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