Diocese of Rockville Centre Office of New Evangelization Conducts Youth Rally to Help Attract Young People Back to the Church

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK, September 6, 2007 - In an effort to attract young people in their teens and 20s back to the Catholic Church, the Diocese of Rockville Centre Office of New Evangelization is conducing a youth rally at Our Lady of the Island Shrine in Eastport on Saturday, September15, 2007 from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.

The rally will consist of music, fun, learning, prayer and celebration. Contemporary praise and worship will be led by artist John Niven. Bishop Murphy, bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, will celebrate Mass at 5 p.m. The day will also feature a keynote address from nationally known Apex ministries and a concert with Christian rock band “Cheer Up Charlie.”

Our Lady of the Island Shrine is located off exit 70 of the LIE. For registration information/directions contact the Youth Ministry Apostolate of the Diocese of Rockville Centre at 516-678-5800, ext. 615 or youth@drvc.org.

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About The Diocese of Rockville Centre
Celebrating its Golden Jubilee, the Diocese of Rockville Centre (www.drvc.org) was formed in 1957 and covers 1,198 square miles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The diocese serves approximately 1.4 million Catholics (total population in both counties is approximately 2.8 million). There are 134 parishes in 115 towns. Last year over 18,000 baptisms, 18,000 confirmations, 19,000 first communions and 4,000 marriages took place in the diocese. There are approximately 22,000 students in Catholic elementary schools; 13,000 in secondary schools and 3,300 in higher institutions. There are 69 Catholic elementary and high schools and one Catholic college in the diocese. There are also 120,189 total students in religious education. Catholic Health Services of Long Island consists of five hospitals, three nursing homes, a community-based home for those with special needs and a hospice. Last year, Catholic Charities assisted more than 59,000 individuals who are poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged on Long Island.