Thunder Strikes at Catholic Family Day at Carowinds Serving Christ and Connecting Catholics in Western North Carolina
A Day of Faith and Fun at Carowinds
CHARLOTTE – Nearly 500 young faithfuls and their guardians gathered at Harmony Hall for a special Mass at Carowinds, marking what was an exciting Catholic Family Day on July 28. Bishop Michael Martin led the congregation, engaging with the crowd and levity weaving perfectly with his sermon to the youth – and later, his ride on the thrilling “Thunder Striker” rollercoaster, popularly known as “The Intimidator.”
Bishop Martin chose to wait in line for the rollercoaster with everyone else rather than bypass the line, practicing the message he preached earlier. He compared life not solely to the thrill of a rollercoaster ride, but also to the waiting in line most people experience on a daily basis.
Waiting in Line: A Metaphor for Life
“Every day isn’t like a rollercoaster ride,” Bishop Martin said. “Most days are like standing in line – where we have to be with our brothers and sisters, where we have to do things we might not want to do, where we have to wait.” He urged the young crowd to use their waiting time wisely by contemplating on Jesus, resisting temptation, and changing their behavior when mundane moments turn into sin-inducing ones.”
Bishop Martin not only interacted with the crowd but also posed for photos both before and after the Mass, which caught the attention of a multicultural demographic for Catholic Family Day at Carowinds. The mass was a simple affair with two altar servers on the stage in a room filled with picnic tables, part-lit by a screen projecting stained glass.
Biblical Parallels and Life Lessons
If the metaphor conjured by the bishop resonated with the young attendees, his comparison of their excitement to Jesus’ disciples who witnessed a miracle at the Sea of Galilee was no less impactful. Jesus had transformed a small quantity of food into an abundant feast, feeding 5,000 people. That biblical miracle, Bishop Martin said, was akin to the miracle of his presence at Sunday’s Mass, which provided “nourishment far better than any amusement ride could ever offer.”
Bringing Catholics Together
“When events like this are organized, it brings Catholics from all around Charlotte together,” said Carissa Scibor, parent of 7-year-old John Scibor. She appreciated the multicultural aspect of the day, saying, “I love that we can hear and pray through Latin and Spanish. I think it reminds our children and us that we’re part of the Church Universal; something that has been seemingly lost lately.”
A Unique Experience with the Bishop
Christina Skelly, a sophomore at Elon University, stood in line for the Thunder Striker with the bishop, whom she described as “really good at connecting with younger kids, with a great personality, very bubbly.” She added that the ride, with its noticeable adrenaline rush, was made even more memorable, as it was her favorite ride and, furthermore, was the “tallest, fastest, longest hyper coaster in the Southeast.” Riding with her bishop made this experience exceptionally unforgettable.
