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Monday, March 18, 2024

Steubenville conferences fuel young people in the faith

From left, Samantha Metallo, Paige Armbruster, Myanauh Lowe and Adela Sosa of St. Anne in Kenosha, Wisconsin, bring their belongings onto the University of St. Thomas campus in St. Paul July 24 for the annual Steubenville North Conference. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit
From left, Samantha Metallo, Paige Armbruster, Myanauh Lowe and Adela Sosa of St. Anne in Kenosha, Wisconsin, bring their belongings onto the University of St. Thomas campus in St. Paul July 24 for the annual Steubenville North Conference. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit

Adults who work with young people are convinced that the Steubenville summer conferences — like the one this weekend (July 24-26) in St. Paul, Minnesota — have a positive impact, energizing teens in their faith with the result that they willingly participate in additional faith formation, parish life and service to others.

The conference’s speakers, liturgies, workshops and times for prayer, adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation aim to “awaken and strengthen young people in their relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church,” according to the mission of the organizing group, Bloomington, Minnesota, based Partnership for Youth.

From left, Katie Horner, Kate Long and Shaina Weigel of St. Philip Neri in Napoleon, North Dakota, pray during Mass July 24 at the Steubenville North conference at the University of St. Thomas. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit
From left, Katie Horner, Kate Long and Shaina Weigel of St. Philip Neri in Napoleon, North Dakota, pray during Mass July 24 at the Steubenville North conference at the University of St. Thomas. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit

Curt Lauret, a volunteer youth leader from St. Katherine Drexel in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has been to Steubenville conferences in the past. “It’s about friendship as they learn about Christ,” Lauret said, “and its sparked their interest in other ministries.”

JoAnn Braegelman
JoAnn Braegelman
Stefanie Steinhofer
Stefanie Steinhofer

JoAnn Braegelman from a three-parish cluster in the Belgrade, Minnesota, area, said she’s seen plenty of evidence that Steubenville conferences work from attending 16

conferences. “I see the transformation when they get back,” Braegelman told The Catholic Spirit. “They’re more interested in learning about their faith, and they’re excited about volunteering for things in the parish. It refuels the kids, gives them energy to go forward in their faith.”

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Braegelman’s volunteer helper Stefanie Steinhofer said she saw the impact after her son attended a previous conference. One of the benefits of attending a weekend with hundreds of other Catholic young people is “seeing kids all across the region that have same beliefs — that it’s okay to let the Holy Spirit work in you.”

The Steubenville North summer 2015 conference continues through July 26 on the St. Paul campus of the University of St. Thomas.

 


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