Steubenville Youth Trip Recap

This past weekend, Youth Discipleship took a group of 47 (including 38 youth and 9 adults) to the Steubenville Catholic Youth Conference in Orlando, FL. The theme of the conference was "Fearless", inspired by John 16:33: "I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

Throughout the weekend--which was packed full of daily masses, confessions, praise and worship, Adoration, talks from dynamic speakers, and small groups--the participants were challenged to take action in their faith and not just live passively. They encountered the Lord intimately through Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (Adoration), which was a highlight for many of the teens.

Keanu El-Hajjar, a rising sophomore, shared, “I enjoyed the Masses because there was a lot of them every day. Adoration was also really nice and peaceful. It felt so unified. Everyone had a different experience but was together worshipping the Lord."

Balancing deep talks and sacraments with fun time with friends, the Steubenville Conference allowed the teens to discover more of who they are in Christ. Mary Elekes, 15, said that the praise and worship concerts before each session were a highlight for her as everyone seemed so excited and happy to be there. Annabel Kaye, an incoming freshman in high school, also remarked, “Steubenville was such a fun and inspirational experience. I was able to praise Jesus and learn more about growing in my faith, while also having fun with my friends. I truly believe that the conference helped me deepen my faith, and I can't wait for next year!"

To close out the weekend, Bishop Joseph Espaillat, the new auxiliary bishop of the Bronx in New York and the main celebrant throughout the weekend, challenged everyone in the final Mass by exclaiming, "God is great! Don't hesitate!" Bishop encouraged each participant, wherever they are in their faith journey, to respond to God's invitation to relationship with Him NOW, not later.

On the trip back home to Holy Family, teens shared graces from the weekend and the group discussed how to live out the faith in their daily lives through personal prayer, the sacraments, getting involved in youth group and small groups, and spending time with good friends and family. Please continue to pray for our youth at the parish that the graces they received on the Steubenville trip may bear fruit in their daily lives as they strive to deepen their relationship with the Lord.

Click here for pictures from the weekend!