VALPARAISO | St. Theresa Catholic Deacon Bob Marben declared to the room of high school students Saturday morning they were there to be transformed before picking up a large squirt gun and taking shots at several participants.

As the group roared with laughter, Marben spoke about water's transforming role in the church and then challenged the young people to serve those in need.

"You are truly the face of Christ to those people," he said.

While the younger students taking part in the eighth-annual Catholic Youth Xperience were to spend the day taking part in seminars and socializing, the seniors headed out by bus to lend a hand at the homeless and low-rent housing facility operated in Valparaiso by Housing Opportunities.

Among the older students was Chael Rock, of Kouts, who said she wanted to help make a difference in the lives of others.

"I'm really excited to do this," she said.

The group of seniors, who were from high schools throughout Lake and Porter counties, were assigned to carry out improvements projects in the facility's food pantry and among the living units, said CEO Caroline Shook.

Mark Erdosy, of Marian University in Indianapolis, encouraged the young people by citing a Gospel of Matthew story. In it, Jesus compared feeding, clothing and visiting the needy as caring for him.

"The actions that we do today will be the gospel we preach," he said.