In 2022, Mary Kate, the youth minister at the nearby Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption was praying with then-Cathedral rector Father Prentice Tipton for a path forward with youth ministry.

“In that prayer time, I experienced in a very real way the Lord telling me we needed a revival for the youth of the Diocese,” she said.  

Mary Kate and her team launched ARISE: a day full of games, powerful talks and encounters with Jesus through Mass, Eucharistic adoration and Confession. Designed for middle and high school students, ARISE has grown each year since. This past July, 48 youth gathered from across the Diocese, as well as East Tawas in the Diocese of Gaylord.

This year’s keynote speaker was Bay City native Laura Dern, who shared her journey leaning on her faith through her daughter’s life-changing diagnosis during pregnancy, numerous hospitalizations and her young daughter’s unexpected death. Throughout this immense suffering, she leaned on God to bring her real peace.

“Her story seemed to really impact the attendees, and it really gave them something to reflect on in their own lives,” Mary Kate said.

Teresa LaFramboise, a junior from Holy Family Parish, was profoundly impacted by Laura’s witness.

“[One of my takeaways was that] no matter what the world tells you, do what you know is the right thing, and put your trust in God,” she said.

The peak spiritual moment for Sam Gipson, an 8th grader from St. Brigid of Kildare Parish in Midland, came during Eucharistic adoration as he felt Jesus’ presence.

“In some ways, it was overwhelming,” he said. “I was very focused and really wanted to pray, talk to and be with [Jesus].”

The success of the first ARISE led to the creation of the Cathedral Youth Group, which Mary Kate continues to lead. She hopes to draw more youth from all over the Diocese as the annual event continues.  

For any youth apprehensive of coming to ARISE in summer 2026, Teresa encourages you to come in with big faith.

“You don’t need to walk into a place unsure if you will experience God. If you believe, you open the door of your heart, the Lord will come to you.”