Oscar Rivera Jr.

Oscar Rivera Jr. (“Two Ten”) lives in Fall River, Massachusetts, with his wife. He serves as the director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Fall River. He grew up in the inner city of Waterbury, Connecticut; his method of avoiding the hood’s promises became God and hip-hop. For over a decade, he has been an international speaker and performer. Oscar’s life is devoted to the new evangelization, and his upbeat urban approach has made his message entertaining and easy to understand. Our faith is not boring and neither is Oscar.

What is LEAD?

Franciscan LEAD is a dynamic Catholic leadership, evangelization, and discipleship development experience for high school students. Through a Franciscan LEAD retreat, teens learn how to to effectively witness the faith through personal testimony, sharing the gospel message, radical service, and authentic witness.

Check out the video to find out more!

 

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

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.

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 

 

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

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.

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).

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

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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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

Missing Teen Policy

It is our primary goal to keep all young people safe while attending a Partnership for Youth Steubenville
Youth Conference. In the unlikely event of a teen being reported missing during the conference:

  • PFY Safety/Security Coordinator is notified
  • Gather details regarding when/where/by whom the youth was last seen
  • Confirm teen’s access to cell phone/internet/other communication
  • Security will check First Aid Station, Counselor, and Housing locations
  • After 30 minutes, notify venue safety/security staff
    o With venue staff determine when police are called
    o Once police have been notified, they will take over
  • After 60 minutes, Group Leader will be required to notify parent/guardian
  • Once teen is found, escort youth to Group Leader and request that parent/guardian be notified
  • Depending on circumstances, teen may be sent home

Michael Dauphinais

Dr. Michael A. Dauphinais, serves as the Father Matthew Lamb Professor of Catholic Theology and co-director of the Aquinas Center for Theological Renewal at Ave Maria University in Florida. He holds academic degrees from Duke University and the University of Notre Dame. He has co-authored several books, authored numerous scholarly articles, and co-edited over 10 scholarly books in the areas of Thomas Aquinas, the Bible, and the renewal of Catholic theology. He launched a podcast, “The Catholic Theology Show,” to help a wide audience discover the richness of coming to understand God as he has revealed himself in Jesus Christ. A grateful revert to the Catholic Church, he has been married to his wife, Nancy, for almost 30 years.

 

Teresa Hawes

Teresa Hawes grew up on a dairy farm in rural New York and has retained a love of the outdoors. She went to high school in southern Pennsylvania and attended college and graduate school in Michigan, earning a BA in English and French and an MA in English.

She then spent 25 years in France, teaching English and religion and completing doctoral studies in French before returning to the States via nine months in the Philippines. Certified as a K-12 French teacher in Vermont, Teresa has taught French and religion there since 2002 as well as serving as director of Religious Education in a parish.

She currently teaches high school religion and serves as a mentor for Franciscan University’s Catechetical Institute. She is a professed member of Notre Dame de Vie Institute. Teresa enjoys hiking, singing, reading, and gardening.

 

Dr. Greg Popcak

Dr. Greg Popcak is the author of many books and the director of the Pastoral Solutions Institute, an organization providing Catholic-integrated tele-counseling services to the faithful worldwide. Together with his wife, Lisa, he is the host of More2Life Radio, airing weekdays at 10am Eastern across the EWTN Radio Network and on SiriusXM 130. In addition to his ministry work, Dr. Popcak is the director of the MA in Pastoral Studies program at Holy Apostles College.

 

Dr. Andrew Sodergren

Dr. Andrew Sodergren is a Catholic psychologist and director of Psychological Services for the Ruah Woods Institute, a Theology of the Body education and healing ministry based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Sodergren earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from Divine Mercy University’s Institute for the Psychological Sciences and holds a master’s degree in theology from the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Washington, D.C., where he also served as an adjunct professor for 13 years. Dr. Sodergren contributed a chapter on the “Psychology of the Sexual Difference” to the book Sexual Identity: The Harmony of Philosophy, Science, and Revelation. He and his wife, Ellie, have been married 23 years and have five children.

 

Sr. Mary Madeline Todd, OP

Sister Mary Madeline Todd, OP, a Dominican Sister of Saint Cecilia, has spent over two decades joyfully sharing the teaching ministry of Christ. After completing a master’s in theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, she pursued her doctorate in sacred theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. She writes and speaks on spiritual and moral theology, and she serves as a member of the Catholic Women’s Forum and on the Board of Directors for the GIVEN Institute. Sister Mary Madeline currently teaches philosophy at Mount de Sales Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, where she finds joy in helping young women discover the beauty of who they are in Christ.