Fr. Mike Clark, pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Paducah, celebrates Mass on July 31 during a youth group whitewater rafting trip on the Ocoee River. COURTESY OF ST. THOMAS MORE
Experiencing the beauty of God’s earth
Youth reflects on whitewater rafting experience with St. Thomas More youth group
BY KOBEE SEAY, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
Fr. Mike Clark and St. Thomas More Parish youth group went whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River in Tennessee on July 31 and Aug. 1. After leaving on Thursday from the church and stopping for lunch at Whataburger, we arrived at the lodge. The lodge had separate rooms for boys and girls. Having set it up this way helped everyone to bond and share close moment with our friends. There was a campfire and everyone – including the adults – were able to connect and listen to music. Preparing and sharing food, then time around the campfire, were times of fellowship with the youth and adults.
On Friday some of the kids that woke up early cooked breakfast. Then, the most fun part happened. We went whitewater rafting. The outfitters gave a thorough and entertaining class on how to raft and what to do when/if you found yourself in the river. After a short bus ride, groups of five and six were assigned to rafts where a guide chaperoned the rafts down the Ocoee. Through rapids between majestic mountains, there was whooping and hollering. During rafting there was lots of laughing and a few people fell out. This whole experience opened our eyes to the wonder and beauty of God’s earth.
During Mass on Thursday night on the deck of the bunkhouse the group realized that you can worship anywhere and that our faith shouldn’t be controlled by exterior things.
Kobee Seay belongs to St. Thomas More Parish in Paducah and was a youth participant of the recent St. Thomas More whitewater rafting youth trip.
Participants of St. Thomas More Parish’s July 31-Aug. 1 youth group trip go whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River on Aug. 1, 2025. COURTESY OF ST. THOMAS MORE
Originally printed in the September 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
