Author: Beth Price

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Friday

Stand in Victory

“But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Cor. 15:57

Conference Schedule:

  • All general sessions will be held in Finnegan Fieldhouse (FFH).
  • JCWC indicates J.C. Williams Center; CODA indicates SS. Cosmas and Damian.
  • All participant meals will be served inside and outside of Antonian Hall
    • For those without a meal plan, individual meals are available for purchase for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
      • Lunch (Saturday only) and dinners purchased outside of Antonian Hall: $10
      • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner purchased in Antonian Hall: $9.41, $12.55, and $15.69, respectively

Noon – 8:00 pm

Registration and Housing Check-in  (St. Joseph’s Center: Seminar Room)

3:00 pm

Doors Open  (FFH)

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Travelers’ Mass (FFH)  TOR

4:30 pm – 6:30 pm 

*NEW* Young Adult Social at Franciscan Square
(185 Franciscan Square – outdoor green space)

*Open to ages 18-30. Food and drinks available for purchase at the Harp and Habit

4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Dinner  (Antonian Hall and JCWC Tent)

6:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Gathering Music (FFH) – JP Von Arx

7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

EVENING SESSION

Praise and Worship/Prayer
Gathering Music (FFH) – JP Von Arx and Pete Burak

Keynote: “Choose This Day”
Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR

9:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Sacrament of Reconciliation  (JPII Library)

9:30 pm – 10:45 pm

Social  (Outside FFH and JCWC)

Everyone is welcome to attend. Please come fellowship and meet new friends! Cash bar and popcorn and snow cones will be available.

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Pete Burak

Pete Burak is vice president of Renewal Ministries. He is a 2010 graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville and has a master’s degree in theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Pete is a frequent speaker on discipleship and evangelization, and he is the co-director of Pine Hills Boys Camp. He is a monthly columnist for Faith Magazine and the host of “The Hour” and “Spirit-Filled Leadership” podcasts. Pete and his wife, Cait, have four children.

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John Beaulieu

John Beaulieu has worked in the Christian Outreach Office of Franciscan University since 2003 and serves as the director of Evangelization and Engagement. A graduate of Franciscan University, John has served in ministry for over 30 years. He spent 2 years serving with NET and 19 years as a parish youth minister. A regular speaker at parish and diocesan events, John addresses topics such as Life in the Spirit, media and teen culture, and Catholic evangelization. John and his wife, Lisa, live in Steubenville with their five children.

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Fr. Louis Merosne

Father Louis Merosne is madly in love with the Trinity, the Blessed Mother, and the Catholic Church. Born in Haiti, he moved to Boston in 1993. He studied at the Franciscan University (undergraduate French, philosophy, and theology from 2002 to 2005 and graduate theology and Christian ministry from 2005 to 2007). Ordained in 2011, he now serves in Haiti in the Diocese of Anse-à-Veau and Miragoâne under Bishop Pierre-André Dumas. Preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ is both a duty and passion for him. His perpetual prayer intention is to be a saintly priest.

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Bishop Joseph Espaillat

Bishop Joseph A. Espaillat is an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York. Growing up in Manhattan, he learned to speak three languages: English, Spanish, and Street. He loves ministering the sacraments: celebrating the holy sacrifice of the Mass, hearing confessions, and proclaiming the Word of God.  He loves working with youth and helping them encounter Christ.  Bishop J enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as playing softball, basketball, tennis and golf.  He also enjoys watching movies, writing poetry, and rapping.  Bishop J is also the founder of the ministry Messengers of Christ.

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Dave VanVickle

Dave VanVickle fell in love with the Lord at the age of 14 and has dedicated his life to bringing others into a radical relationship with Christ. He is a popular speaker and retreat leader who presents on topics related to spiritual warfare, the universal call to holiness, and authentic Catholic spirituality. He is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville and has years of experience assisting priests with their ministries of deliverance and exorcism. He is also co-host of the popular Ascension podcast “Every Knee Shall Bow.” Dave resides in Pittsburgh with his five children: Sam, Max, Judah, Josie, and Louisa.

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John Paul Von Arx

John Paul Von Arx seeks to share his faith and love for country music in venues all across America and has been performing professionally for the last nine years. Since the release of his debut solo album in 2018, John Paul has been known for his advocacy work for people with Down Syndrome and their families. Additionally, in 2020 he was hired as coordinator of Worship at Franciscan University in order to mentor students in leading worship and to teach Intro to Music Ministry as an adjunct professor.

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Nathan Crankfield

Nathan Crankfield was born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He became the first Catholic in his entire family at the age of 13. After graduating from Mount St. Mary’s University, Nathan went on to become an infantry officer in the U.S. Army. During his four years of active duty service, Nathan graduated from Airborne School and Ranger School. He also served as a platoon leader on a combat deployment to Afghanistan. After the Army, Nathan began working in ministry for organizations such as Dynamic Catholic, Benedictine College, and Hallow. He is now the host of the “Seeking Excellence” podcast and lives in Denver with his wife, Emily, and their son, Jordan.

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Paco Galvielides

Since the time of his conversion to Catholicism in 1968, Paco Gavrilides has dedicated his life to serving Christ in the Church with a passion to share the Gospel. As a teacher, speaker, and evangelist, Paco has worked with many dioceses, movements, and individuals both nationally and internationally. He has been especially active in leadership formation, men’s ministry, family ministry, and evangelization among Hispanics and African Americans. Paco served the Church for over 10 years as Homiletics Instructor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan, a post he has held since 2011. He received the equivalent of the STB at the Archdiocesan Seminary in Monterrey, Mexico, and completed his Licentiate Degree in the New Evangelization at Sacred Heart.

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Katie Prejean McGrady

Katie Prejean McGrady is an award-winning author of four books, international Catholic speaker, and host of The Katie McGrady Show on The Catholic Channel on Sirius XM. She writes for Blessed is She and LaCroix International and hosts the podcasts “Ave Explores” for Ave Maria Press, “Like a Mother” for Our Sunday Visitor, and “Family Mass Prep” on Hallow. Katie lives in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with her husband, Tommy, and her daughters, Rose and Clare.

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Franciscan University

Our mission as a Catholic and Franciscan university is to educate, to evangelize, and to send forth joyful disciples for lives of worldwide mission.

At Franciscan University, you’ll find professors, spiritual mentors, and lifelong friends who will challenge and help you to grow intellectually and spiritually. In the midst of our academically excellent and passionately Catholic community, you’ll discover who God made you to be and leave here prepared to flourish professionally, spiritually, and personally.

Want to learn more? Tell us about yourself so we can connect with you. 

Come visit our beautiful campus and experience what it’s like to be a student here for a day. 

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EWTN

EWTN

Faith is a precious gift from God. As the largest religious media network in the world, EWTN has an important role in educating others about our Catholic faith and spreading the good news of salvation. Our rich and rewarding Catholic faith was communicated by our Lord to the Apostles, and has been handed down through the centuries by His humble servants under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For the Catholic faithful, you’ll find a sincere presentation of the Church’s teachings in order to help strengthen your faith and lead a deeper commitment to a life pleasing to our Lord. For non-Catholics, we hope to answer your questions, resolve your curiosity and create a rich environment that will help you one day decide to join us. We invite you to explore our numerous pages of historical faith documents, prayers, teachings, information on saints and other current issues in Catholicism today.

Website

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Small Group Tips

LEADING A SMALL GROUP

Small group time is some of the most important time that will take place during the retreat. It is a chance for young people to share with one another their thoughts, feelings, and what God is doing in their hearts. By listening and loving them during this time, you incarnate the love of Christ and reinforce all other aspects of the retreat.

 

ROLE OF THE SMALL GROUP LEADER

  • “To convert somebody, go and take them by the hand and guide them.” – St. Thomas Aquinas. You are there to walk with teens and guide them closer to Jesus.
  • To model availability and authenticity.
  • To serve.
  • To facilitate a conversation – a conversation where you are doing the majority of listening.

 

PURPOSE OF SMALL GROUPS

  • To help participants process their experience.
  • To answer their questions.
  • To share parts of your testimony.
  • To pray with the participants.

 

SMALL GROUP LOGISTICS

  • Find a quiet place to meet with minimal distractions.
  • Make sure that everyone is sitting on the same level and looking at each other.
  • Small groups should not be mixed gender. This will allow for greater intimacy and more directed conversations coming out of the men’s/women’s sessions.
  • Small groups should be around 6 people in size. With larger groups, comfort and intimacy can be lost.
  • If possible, try to your best to avoid assigning best friends or cliques to the same small group.

 

DISCUSSION-LEADING TIPS

  • Begin with prayer. Model it in the first small group meeting and ask others to lead prayer in subsequent gatherings.
  • Learn names and spend time just getting to know the teens. They won’t care how much we know until they know how much we care.
  • If it’s the first or second small group for the weekend, play an ice breaker game or ask some icebreaker questions.
  • Start every small group with asking teens if they have any comments/questions from the talk – if there was anything they didn’t understand.
  • Use open-ended question and allow people to respond honestly, without judgment.
  • Be patient and don’t fear silence. They may be processing.
  • Keep speech positive. No negative humor.
  • Don’t allow one person to monopolize the discussion.
  • If someone derails the conversation, kindly say “Thank you so much for sharing! Let’s talk more about this later today!”
  • Don’t allow interruptions.
  • Do not correct in front of everyone.
  • If someone does not seem to want to talk in the small group, try engaging them one on one.

 

OTHER THOUGHTS

  • Don’t have an agenda. Have an open heart and let God lead.
  • Small group time is for them to speak and for you to listen. Do not preach or teach during this time.
  • Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid. God’s chosen you for this.
  • Don’t move on from a fruitful conversation.
  • Make the most of each small group meeting.
  • Everyone is encouraged to share, but no one has to.
  • Be honest and authentic – we are on this journey together.
  • Do not break the privacy or confidentiality of another member. Let the small group know that everything is confidential unless something that could be harmful to them or someone else is shared.
  • If someone shares about something harmful or is in imminent danger to themselves or another, tell the group leader. The group leader will then take any necessary next steps per diocesan safe environment policy.
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Walking Tour

Tap here for the Walking Tour Map

The cross symbol  below represents the designated spiritual sites of pilgrimage located on Franciscan University’s campus. Related prayers and meditations for these sites can be found in the previous Prayer Reflections section of this program.

“When asked how the transformation of this institution came about during his presidency, [Father Michael Scanlan] responded, ‘All we did was pray, pray, pray…’ May we honor his memory and continue his amazing legacy.” – Father Nathan Malavolti, TOR

Christ the King Chapel includes a secluded Eucharistic Chapel whose stained-glass windows beautifully depict the seven sacraments.

Portiuncula Chapel is available for contemplative prayer, silent reflection, and frequent eucharistic adoration. A replica of the chapel rebuilt by St. Francis, it has been designated a pilgrimage site for a plenary indulgence by the Vatican.

Marian Grotto invites devotees to consider Mary’s unique place in redemption history.

Stations of the Cross are made of cast bronze and replicate those located in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Crèche is a rough stone enclosure that houses a nearly life-size manger scene. It is located near the Portiuncula Chapel and Tomb of the Unborn Child.

Tomb of the Unborn Child serves as a perpetual memorial to the innocent victims of abortion.

7. Rosary Circle beautifully displays an image of the rosary, the heart of Marian devotion. It also serves as the main hub for conference shuttle services.

8. St. Francis Residence Hall is the oldest of our residence halls and is named in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan order. It accommodates 137 residents.

9. Antonian Dining Hall

10. Marian Residence Hall, the second residence hall built, accommodates 177 residents. It is named after Our Lady, recognizing her special role in God’s plan of salvation.

11. Trinity Residence Hall is situated near the edge of the campus plateau. Trinity accommodates 147 residents. It is named for the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

12. Sand Volleyball Courts

13. St. Thomas More Residence Hall is the largest of our residence halls, accommodating 312 residents. St. Thomas More Hall is named for a lay Franciscan martyred during the reign of Henry VIII.

14. SS. Kolbe and Clare Residence Halls accommodate 131 students and two guest apartments. These halls are named for the 20th-century Franciscan martyr, St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, and St. Clare, foundress of the Second Order of Franciscans.

15. SS. Louis and Elizabeth Residence Halls are home to 180 students. The University’s newest residence halls are named for King Louis of of France and Queen Elizabeth of Hungary, secular Franciscans who grew in holiness through fidelity to their lay vocations.

16. Piazza dei Santi

17. Finnegan Fieldhouse serves as the main event facility for most of our conferences. It houses two full-sized basketball courts, racquetball courts, a spacious fitness center, aerobics room, physical therapy performance room, and athletic offices.

18. J.C. Williams Center is the principal social hub for the entire University family and includes University Bookstore–located on the ground floor.

Mail Room–located on the ground floor.

Information Desk–located centrally on the upper floor and site of Lost and Found. First Aid–located on the upper floor.

The Pub and Cupertino’s Café –located on the upper floor. Exhibitor Tables–on both floors; location for free resources from various Catholic ministries and exhibitors.

19. John Paul II Library features a statue of St . John Paul II near the entrance.

20. SS. Cosmas and Damian Science Hall is our newest academic building and houses technology-based laboratories. Pugliese Hall, a multi-media auditorium, is located in the lower level.

21. Starvaggi Hall houses the Admissions Office, Human Resources, and Information Technology Services on the top floor. The ground floor accommodates the Enrollment Services Office, Community Relations Office, and other administrative offices of the University.

22. Egan Hall is the main classroom building, which also contains faculty offices and Anathan Theatre.

23. St. Joseph Center houses the permanent offices of Franciscan University Advancement Office, the Marketing and Communications Department, and additional faculty offices and classrooms. It is also the location of Conference Registration and Check In.

24. Assisi Heights is the location of the Christian Outreach Office, the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, Alumni Center, and Campus Security.

25. Physical Plant Services Building

26. Memorial Field

27. Intramural Fields

28. Softball Field

29. Vaccaro Baseball Field is the site of play for our local American Legion team.

30. Practice Soccer Field

31. Game Soccer Field

32. Holy Spirit Friary is the private residence of the Franciscan friars. We request that you respect the cloistered atmosphere of the friary.

33. The Steel Cross was inspired by a similar cross in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

34. Sandella’s Flatbread Café provides various sandwiches and specialty drinks on the upper floor.

35. Scotus Hall

36. Vianney Hall

37. St. Bonaventure Hall

38. Franciscan Square is the home of the new University Inn.

39. Padua Hall is situated on the lower campus and is named for St. Anthony of Padua. The hall is home to older undergraduate students.

A. Main Entrance

B. West Entrance

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Franciscan University Admissions

Embrace your unique talents and gifts.
Find your home in a community rooted in Christ. 
Let your life serve as a witness to the world.

Click here to apply for free today! 

Visit our  beautiful Ohio campus and picture yourself as a student here. 

Send me more information.

Your knowledge—illuminated by faith—comes alive and leads you confidently into the world when you study at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Here, your exceptional education in any of our 40+ academic majors is grounded in a passionately Catholic faith tradition that takes you beyond yourself and into the community where you can evangelize and transform the culture. From uniting faith and reason in the sciences, to caring for the whole person through nursing, or becoming a Catholic leader in the business world, along with many other career paths, YOU can find your personal vocation here at Franciscan.

Grow in wisdom, faith, maturity, strength, purpose, and dedication at Franciscan. How you live your life—where you go, what you do, who you are—builds on the life of Christ within you and what you embrace while you’re here. With the solid foundation of faith and reason you create at Franciscan University, you are the message the world is waiting for!

Address:

Office of Admissions1235 University BlvdSteubenville, OH 43952

Admissions: 740-283-6226

Visit our Website 

Find us on Facebook

Find us on Instagram

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Pilgrimages

Join us for a true Pilgrimage of Faith!

Join Franciscan University Pilgrimages as we visit destinations throughout the world where faith is strengthened, spirits are encouraged, and souls are renewed. With Franciscan friars and expert guides, you will have the opportunity to learn more about our Catholic heritage and its roots. We walk where saints once trod. We visit shrines where amazing acts of faith were lived out. We experience the depth and richness of our Catholic traditions in a way that can only be experienced by visiting these holy places.

2024 Pilgrimages

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Sonar

Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, Sonar is a collection of musicians who seek to draw closer to Christ through music. Sonar’s engaging style draws inspiration from a breadth of genres from electronic dance music to country and bluegrass while finding roots in modern worship music and traditional hymns. Sonar is Nate Reinhardt (vocals/guitars), Caroline Metzinger (vocals/keyboards), Nate Lamusga (guitars/banjo), Christian Ankrum (bass/vocals), and Reese Kling (drums).

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Katie Prejean McGrady

Katie Prejean McGrady is an award-winning author of four books, international Catholic speaker, and host of The Katie McGrady Show on The Catholic Channel on Sirius XM. She writes for Blessed is She, Catholic News Service, and hosts Ave Explores for Ave Maria Press. Katie lives in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with her husband, Tom, and daughters, Rose and Clare.

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Our Mission

Our Mission

Here at the Franciscan Center for Evangelization & Renewal, we seek to enkindle, accompany, and transform lives while afire with the Spirit. Steubenville Conferences, one of our many branches, works to lead souls into an amazing encounter with Jesus Christ.

 

Visit our website for more information: steubenvilleconferences.com

 

Franciscan Center for Evangelization & Renewal

Steubenville Conferences

114 Brady Circle East

Steubenville, OH 43952

740-283-6315

conferences@franciscan.edu

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Youth Conferences

For over 40 years, teens around the United States and Canada have had their faith awakened and their hearts set on fire through a personal encounter with Jesus at a Steubenville Youth Conference. 

This summer, tens of thousands of teens and their leaders will be a part of this movement of grace at Steubenville Youth Conferences across North America and local Steubenville Youth Retreats. 

Learn More 

 

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Small Group Tips

LEADING A SMALL GROUP

Small group time is some of the most important time that will take place during the retreat. It is a chance for young people to share with one another their thoughts, feelings, and what God is doing in their hearts. By listening and loving them during this time, you incarnate the love of Christ and reinforce all other aspects of the retreat.

 

ROLE OF THE SMALL GROUP LEADER

  • “To convert somebody, go and take them by the hand and guide them.” – St. Thomas Aquinas. You are there to walk with teens and guide them closer to Jesus.
  • To model availability and authenticity.
  • To serve.
  • To facilitate a conversation – a conversation where you are doing the majority of listening.

 

PURPOSE OF SMALL GROUPS

  • To help participants process their experience.
  • To answer their questions.
  • To share parts of your testimony.
  • To pray with the participants.

 

SMALL GROUP LOGISTICS

  • Find a quiet place to meet with minimal distractions.
  • Make sure that everyone is sitting on the same level and looking at each other.
  • Small groups should not be mixed gender. This will allow for greater intimacy and more directed conversations coming out of the men’s/women’s sessions.
  • Small groups should be around 6 people in size. With larger groups, comfort and intimacy can be lost.
  • If possible, try to your best to avoid assigning best friends or cliques to the same small group.

 

DISCUSSION-LEADING TIPS

  • Begin with prayer. Model it in the first small group meeting and ask others to lead prayer in subsequent gatherings.
  • Learn names and spend time just getting to know the teens. They won’t care how much we know until they know how much we care.
  • If it’s the first or second small group for the weekend, play an ice breaker game or ask some icebreaker questions.
  • Start every small group with asking teens if they have any comments/questions from the talk – if there was anything they didn’t understand.
  • Use open-ended question and allow people to respond honestly, without judgment.
  • Be patient and don’t fear silence. They may be processing.
  • Keep speech positive. No negative humor.
  • Don’t allow one person to monopolize the discussion.
  • If someone derails the conversation, kindly say “Thank you so much for sharing! Let’s talk more about this later today!”
  • Don’t allow interruptions.
  • Do not correct in front of everyone.
  • If someone does not seem to want to talk in the small group, try engaging them one on one.

 

OTHER THOUGHTS

  • Don’t have an agenda. Have an open heart and let God lead.
  • Small group time is for them to speak and for you to listen. Do not preach or teach during this time.
  • Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid. God’s chosen you for this.
  • Don’t move on from a fruitful conversation.
  • Make the most of each small group meeting.
  • Everyone is encouraged to share, but no one has to.
  • Be honest and authentic – we are on this journey together.
  • Do not break the privacy or confidentiality of another member. Let the small group know that everything is confidential unless something that could be harmful to them or someone else is shared.
  • If someone shares about something harmful or is in imminent danger to themselves or another, tell the group leader. The group leader will then take any necessary next steps per diocesan safe environment policy.
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From the Steubenville Conferences Team

Dear Friend,

We are so glad you chose to join us for a Steubenville Conference this summer!

Since the very first priests’ conference at Franciscan University in 1975, the Steubenville Conferences have grown to provide spiritual renewal each year to tens of thousands of high school youth, young adults, catechists, religious educators, priests, deacons, seminarians, religious men and women, and others.

This summer alone, we are offering five adult conferences and four youth conferences on Franciscan University’s campus, as well as 13 regional youth conferences at locations across North America. The University continues to expand its outreach efforts through the newly formed Franciscan Center for Evangelization & Renewal. The Center houses the Catechetical Institute, the Catechetical Review, the School of Spiritual Direction, and the Steubenville Conferences, each with their own exciting initiatives. We will be sharing more details soon!

In the meantime, know that you are always in our prayers—during the conference and beyond! Thank you again for joining us.

The Steubenville Conferences Office