Hundreds of teenagers wait anxiously for this moment. You can feel the excitement and eagerness in the room. Everyone is silent just waiting for him to walk in and begin. No, this is not a Justin Bieber concert; it is a diocesan G.R.A.C.E before Dinner, and everyone is waiting for the one and only Father Tony Ricard.

Youth from all around the diocese anxiously wait every year to see where the next grace before dinner will be held. G.R.A.C.E  is a diocesan event, this year held and hosted by Saint Catherine’s Parish of Middletown. The room was filled with 150 teens and their families from all around the area. The best part of the night, according to all the teens, was the hour Father Tony Ricard from New Orleans spoke about finding strength and comfort in God in hard times. Father Tony Ricard is a Priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and is the Campus Minister of St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. He has given keynote addresses, retreats, revivals, and youth talks across the nation, talking about his experience with Hurricane Katrina, and how through God we can get through anything. Throughout his very inspiring story, teens could feel the strength of presence of God in the room. Along with Father Tony’s hysterical sense of humor, teens were actively listening to his presentation. He was definitely a crowd favorite.

The youth at this event also had the chance to celebrate mass with Father Tony, as he joked about how in New Orleans, everyone answers their prayers and sings very loudly. The youth were very involved in the mass, having a representative from two parishes’ lector and serve, and also had a youth member sing. Father Tony definitely kept everyone’s attention during all parts of the mass, and after, celebrated with a dinner and dessert, interacting with all the teens.

Along with being an inspiring speaker, Father Tony is also an author. He has written the books, “I Still Believe: A Testimony of Faith After the Storm,” “Don’t Be Stupid! Lessons You Should Already Know,” “I Don’t Make Them Up! Reflections, Stories and Jokes from a Faithful Fool,” “Keepin’ It Real: Reflections on Faith, Hope and Forgiveness,”  “The Eagle Story” and “Diary of an Unapologetic Roman Catholic Priest”. “Keepin’ It Real” features a special section that has been translated in Spanish.  All of these items were available for sale at this event, and many copies were bought by teens.

Father Tony Ricard inspired many people through the power of God, especially those who were directly affected by Hurricane Sandy. By bringing humor into his speeches, he knows how to entertain but inspire and teach while still keeping and active listening audience. Many youth groups that attended Grace before dinner are anxiously waiting to see Father Tony again, as he will be appearing at the National Catholic Youth Conference as a key note speaker in late November. “Father Tony taught me something that night,” reports a Sandy victim from Holy Family Youth Group in Union Beach, “I can get through anything, as long as I have my faith in God with me at all times.”