Shuttle Schedule

Shuttles are provided by the conference Transportation Team.  They are located at the Transportation Tent in the Rosary Circle, outside the J. C. Williams Center.

Shuttles are provided to various locations across campus.  They are also provided to/from the following area hotels:

  • Best Western Plus (Inn at Franciscan Square) and Wingate Inn by Wyndham

For shuttles around campus or to your hotel at any time, please go to the Transportation Tent located in the Rosary Circle, outside the J.C. Williams Center or call the Transportation Team at 740-317-4340.

Friday

By 8:00 am                 

Residence Hall Checkout


6:30 am – 8:30 am      

Breakfast  


 6:30 am      

Doors Open (JCWC: Gentile Gallery)


7:30 am – 8:15 am      

Travelers’ Mass (JCWC: Gentile Gallery)
*
For those who must leave the retreat early*


8:45 am – 9:00 am

Liturgy of the Hours Morning Prayer 


9:00 am – 11:30 am    

MORNING SESSION  (JCWC: Gentile Gallery)

Team Encouragement and Sending Forth

Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
Celebrant/
Homilist: Fr. Louis Merosne


11:30 pm – 1:30 pm   

Lunch  (Antonian Hall)

Thursday

6:30 am – 8:30 am      

Breakfast  


8:00 am 

Doors Open (FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd Floor)


8:30 am – 8:45 am

Holy Rosary


8:45 am – 9:00 am

Liturgy of the Hours Morning Prayer


9:00 am – Noon     

MORNING SESSION

Praise and Worship

Keynote: “Anyone to Repair the Wall: What I have received from those with Holy Orders” Dave VanVickle

Holy Sacrifice of the Mass


Noon  – 2:00 pm     

Lunch (Antonian Hall)


2:00 pm – 3:00 pm     

Free Time


2:30 pm     

Doors Open (FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd Floor)


 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm   

        Afternoon Session

All Registered Guests Invited
“Navigating Woke Waters: How to Shepherd People to Truth and Freedom”   Noelle Mering


4:30 pm – 5:30 pm     

“Life in the Spirit, Part 3 of 3″
John Beaulieu  (JCWC: Gentile Gallery)


4:30 pm – 7:00 pm     

Dinner  (Antonian Hall)


5:45 pm

Doors Open  (JCWC: Gentile Gallery)


6:45 pm – 7:00 pm     

Gathering Music  Dcn. Bob Rice


7:00 pm – 10:00 pm   

EVENING SESSION (JCWC: Gentile Gallery)

Liturgy of the Hours Evening Prayer

Keynote: “
Come Holy Spirit!
Fr. Louis Merosne

Worship and Healing Service

 

 

Wednesday

6:30 am – 8:30 am      

Breakfast  (Antonian Hall)


7:45am

Doors Open (FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd floor)



8:45 am – 9:00 am

Liturgy of the Hours Morning Prayer (FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd Floor)


9:00 am – 12:00 pm

MORNING SESSION

Praise and Worship  

Keynote: “Living Out Our Diaconal Conscience
Fr. Louis Merosne

Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Celebrant/Homilist:  Bishop Paul Bradley/Dcn. Bob Rice


Noon – 2:00 pm     

Lunch  (Antonian Hall)


1:00 pm

Doors Open (FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd floor)


1:15 pm – 2:30 pm

Optional Breakout
Deacon’s Track
Dcn. Bob Rice (FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd Floor)


2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Free Time


3:00 pm – 4:00 pm    

      Afternoon Session

      ALL REGISTERED GUESTS INVITED
    “
The Fire of the Spirit!  Meaning and Power of a Biblical Motif”  Dr. John Bergsma

(FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd Floor)


4:30 pm – 5:30 pm     

“Life in the Spirit Track, Part 2 of 3 ”
John Beaulieu  (JCWC: Gentile Gallery)


4:30 pm – 7:00 pm     

Dinner  (Antonian Hall)


5:45 pm

Doors Open  (FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd Floor)


6:45 pm – 7:00 pm     

Gathering Music  Dcn. Bob Rice


7:00 pm – 10:15 pm   

EVENING SESSION

Liturgy of the Hours Evening Prayer

Keynote:” I Am Your Father”  Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR

Eucharistic Holy Hour  Fr. Jonathan St. Andre


10:15 pm – 11:15 pm 

Social (JCWC) 

Everyone is welcome to attend. Cake and punch will be served to celebrate anniversaries! 

Tuesday


6:30 am – 8:30 am      

Breakfast   (Antonian Hall)


8:00 am  – 12:00 pm                    

Registration  (St. Joseph Center: Seminar Room)


8:00 am

Doors Open   (FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd Floor)


8:45 am – 9:00 am

Liturgy of the Hours Morning Prayer  (FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd Floor)


9:00 am – Noon

MORNING SESSION
Praise and Worship  – Dcn. Bob Rice

Keynote: Remember Him: Revealing True Fatherhood to a Fatherless World
Noelle Mering

Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
Celebrant/Homilist:  Father Dave Pivonka, TOR


Noon – 2:00 pm     

Lunch  (Antonian Hall)


1:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Information Session:
Information Session: Elevated Parish Missions
(FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd floor)
Martin Watjen


2:00 pm – 3:00 pm     

Free Time


3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Afternoon Session
*ALL REGISTERED GUESTS INVITED:  “The Wind of the Spirit! Meaning and Power of a Biblical Motif”
Dr. John Bergsma (FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd Floor)


4:30 pm – 5:30 pm     

“Life in the Spirit Track, Part 1 of 3”
John Beaulieu  
(JCWC: Gentile Gallery)


4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Dinner  (Antonian Hall)


5:45 pm

Doors Open (FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd Floor)


6:45 pm – 7:00 pm     

Gathering Music Dcn. Bob Rice


7:00 pm – 9:45 pm   

EVENING SESSION

Liturgy of the Hours Evening Prayer 

Keynote: “The Glorified Waiter”
Dcn. Bob Rice

Eucharistic Holy Hour
Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR


9:45 pm  – 11:00 pm

Social (JCWC)

Everyone is welcome to attend. A cash bar and complimentary popcorn and snow cones will be available! 

Monday

Another Carpenter

“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you.” 
1 Corinthians 11:23


Note:  Times are subject to slight changes.


Monday, June 17th

Noon – 8:00 pm

Registration and Housing Check-In   (St. Joseph Center:  Seminar Room)


4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Dinner   (Antonian Hall)


5:45 pm

 Doors Open   (FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd Floor)


6:45 pm – 7:00 pm

Gathering Music  (FFH: Aerobics Room, 2nd Floor) Dcn. Bob Rice


7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

EVENING SESSION

Keynote: “Only What We Have Received: Pouring Out the Lord’s Riches from our Poverty
Dave Van Vickle

Sacrament of Reconciliation 

Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
Celebrant/HomilistBishop Joseph Espaillat


10:00 pm –11:00 pm

Social   (JCWC)

Everyone is welcome to attend! A cash bar and complimentary food will be available!  

Shuttle Schedule

Shuttles are provided by the conference Transportation Team. They are located at the Transportation Tent in Rosary Circle, outside the J. C. Williams Center.

Shuttles are provided to various locations across campus. They are also provided to/from the following area hotels:

In Steubenville, OH:

Best Western Plus (Inn at Franciscan Square), Wingate by Wyndham, Sleep Inn & Suites

In Weirton, WV:

Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, Fairfield Inn and Suites

Hotel shuttles will occur at the following times:

Opening day – 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (This time is also allotted for airport shuttles.)

Mid-conference – 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m.; 9:30 p.m. until midnight

Closing day – 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

For shuttles at any other time, please go to the Transportation Tent or call the Transportation Team at (740) 317-4340 .

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 laity. 

This summer alone, we are offering four adult and four youth conferences on Franciscan University’s campus, and 13 regional youth conferences across North America. The University continues to expand its outreach.  

On May 17, 2022, Franciscan Center for Evangelization & Renewal became the new location for the Catechetical Institute, the Catechetical Review, the School of Spiritual Direction, and Steubenville Conferences. The motto of Franciscan Center is, Afire with the Spirit to enkindle, accompany and transform. We are always led by the Holy Spirit in every outreach initiative. We endeavor to create the best environment to encounter Christ and nurture growth and accompaniment for each person on their faith journey. We also form and equip joyful disciples to share the Good News of Jesus Christ! 

We hope your time with us draws you closer to Jesus and to each other in community. Know that you are always in our prayers—during the conference and beyond! Thank you again for joining us. 

The Steubenville Conferences Office 

HOW DO I BECOME AMBASSADOR?

To officially become a Steubenville Conference Ambassador, simply visit our website and click “ENROLL.”  

Next you will… 

  1. Pray that the Spirit moves in your heart and in the hearts of those he wants you to bring along to an encounter with him. 
  2. Promote, invite, and grow your group. 
  3. Register for the conference you plan to attend with your group.  

Learn More 

Enroll Today 

If you have any questions, you can contact us at ambassadors@franciscan.edu or 740-284-5398. 

Adult Conferences

The Steubenville Conferences Office at Franciscan University offers five unique conference experiences for adults on our campus in Steubenville, Ohio. 

Every summer, thousands of Catholics make the pilgrimage to Franciscan University to have their faith renewed, their spirits refreshed, and to be equipped to live the faith and share it with others. Whether you are looking for encouragement in mission, Scripture study, catechesis, or spiritual renewal, we have a conference that will help you live the abundant life God wants for you. 

And in Summer 2024, you can pre-register for all 2025 adult conferences at a discounted rate! (Offer expires on September 1, 2024. No other early bird discounts will be available after.) 

Power and Purpose Conference: Discover and Deepen Your Life in the Spirit 

Priests, Deacons, Seminarians Retreat: Find Rest and Renewal in Christ 

St. John Bosco Conference: For Evangelization and Catechesis 

Applied Biblical Studies Conference: Experience Discipleship in Desert Times 

Defending the Faith Conference: Live the Gospel with Joy and Hope 

Learn More 

Campus Rules and Behavior Expectations

General Campus Rules 

Chaperones must know where their teens are at all times. 

No drugs or alcohol. If any are found, the participant/group can be subject to immediate expulsion. 

Smoking

The Ohio Smoke-Free Workplace Act prohibits smoking in all buildings/tents on the campus of Franciscan University and in areas adjacent to building entrances. Smoking is also prohibited outdoors within 30 feet of all building entrances and open windows where smoke may enter a building and in any other designated outdoor nonsmoking area. Please respect those around you by complying with these mandates. Ohio State Law also prohibits the purchase, possession, and use of tobacco products by anyone under the age of 21. Please help us by obeying this law.

Property Damage

The responsible party will pay for full repair/replacement costs. 

Young Children and Infants

Infants and children are generally not permitted into the youth conference due to high decibel sound levels. In addition, Group Leaders and adult chaperones must keep as their top priority oversight of their youth. 


Dress Code/Language 

All participants, including adults, are expected to dress appropriately in modest attire. 

Clothing must cover all undergarments and midriffs.    

Bikini tops, low cut tops, mini skirts, yoga pants and short shorts are unacceptable. 

Inappropriate and profane attire are not to be worn at any time during the conference.   

Shirts and shoes are to be worn at all times.    

Foul and abusive language will not be permitted. 

Group Leaders and adult chaperones are expected to communicate these expectations to their youth beforehand and to enforce the dress code at the conference.    


Discipline/Disclaimers 

All conference participants are expected to follow the direction of the Conference Staff and Security, in addition to posted signage.  Any instances of insubordination will be subject to appropriate discipline. 

Franciscan University of Steubenville and the Conference Office reserve the right to handle disciplinary situations in a way that best serves the overall conference, including the right to deny entrance to, or request the ejection of, any group or individual who does not comply with the regulations and policies of Franciscan University of Steubenville’s High School Youth Conferences. Should this happen, no refund will be given. 

For security reasons, Franciscan University of Steubenville reserves the right to check all bags/luggage/containers and confiscate any of the aforementioned items that are brought to our High School Youth Conferences. 


Misconduct 

The following are misconduct issues that will not be tolerated at High School Youth Conferences:   

  • Use, possession, or distribution of narcotic or other controlled substances or drug paraphernalia except as expressly permitted by law.  
  • Public intoxication, or use, possession, sale, consumption, or distribution of alcoholic beverages except as expressly permitted by the law and by University regulations.
  • Possession or use of firearms, explosives, other weapons, incendiary devices, firecrackers or dangerous chemicals on University premises. 

Reporting an Incident 

If you witness a youth or adult chaperone violating any policy in regard to Child Protection or Franciscan University of Steubenville’s guidelines, you are required to report it immediately to a member of the Campus Security or Conference Staff. 

Campus Security can be reached at: 740-283-6333. 


Safe Environment 

In order to ensure the safety of all our youth and remain in compliance with the policies established by the Diocese of Steubenville and Franciscan University of Steubenville, all adult chaperones are required to provide proof of their Safe Environment Training.  

Every adult chaperone must also be background checked to the specifications of his/her home diocese. Proof of these specifications must be presented to the Conference Office via the Adult Chaperone Verification Form at the time of checkin for the conference.  

Priests must submit a “Letter of Good Standing. directly to the diocese of Steubenville who will then review this information and dispense faculties as applicableAll information pertaining to faculties will be on file with the University Chapel Office. 


Session Expectations 

Refrain from running and/or participating in crowd surfing.

Inflatable items brought into the Fieldhouse should be no larger than a standard basketball. Inflatable objects larger than this will be confiscated and not returned. Additionally, any inflatable that lands on the stage will be confiscated and discarded.

Do not go on the stage unless invited by the host or a speaker.

Flash photography is not permitted during the liturgy per the Diocese of Steubenville. 

Videotaping is not permitted during any sessions. 

Refrain from standing on, folding, or moving chairs. 

Keep the aisles clear. 

From Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR

Peace and blessings! 

Maybe this is your first Steubenville Conference. Maybe this is your 21st. Either way, I’m excited to welcome you—or welcome you back—to Franciscan University’s campus. God is going to do great things during each of the conferences, and I’m so glad you will be present to experience it. 

Every summer since my ordination, I’ve been a speaker for Steubenville Conferences. I’ve lost count, but my best guess is that I’ve been to over 100 conferences. So, I’d like to offer some advice for both the first timers and seasoned veterans like me. 

First, let go of all your plans and expectations. Give God permission to do whatever he wants to do. That said, there are some things I am certain will happen. Your spiritual life will be enriched, and you will worship with a community of other Catholics from all around the country who will inspire you. 

Second, take advantage of this conference as a time for prayer, fellowship, and refreshment. Be open to how Jesus wants to talk with you. He will surprise you if you let him. 

Also, have confidence. Have confidence that God has you here for a reason, that he is already at work in your life. God is good. He loves you, and you can trust in him. 

Thank you for joining us this summer. I hope to see you again next year for the 50th anniversary of Steubenville Conferences! 

Peace,

Father Dave Pivonka, TOR
President
Franciscan University of Steubenville

Bus Drivers

Bus Drivers 

Weekend Parking 

  • Buses may park in any of the parking lots indicated below for the duration of the weekend. 
    • St. Joseph Center 
    • Behind the George Rice Music Center  
    • Turf Field Parking Lot 

Please do not park in the Franciscan Square parking lot! 

Transportation 

We provide transportation for bus drivers to and from their bus and hotel on Friday afternoon and Sunday morning. This is on an on-call basis. If you need transportation, please contact the Transportation Team by calling 740-317-4340.

Sunday Mass 

Mass on Sunday at the University is at 10 a.m. in the JCWC Gentile Gallery (Lower Level JC)

Parking Sunday 

  • Please park in Parking Lot “H,” behind the Finnegan Fieldhouse, near the baseball field. There will be Security present to provide directions.  
  • We encourage you to bring the bus on campus Sunday morning starting at 6 a.m. All buses should be staged in Parking Lot “H”.  This helps make the loading of luggage smoother for the participants. Coordinate with your Group Leader about loading the buses. 
  • If you have any questions or concerns throughout the weekend, please call Conference Information Center at 740-283-6801. 

Group Leaders | Chaperones | Prayer Ministry

Group Leaders

Please see the attached document for your Group Leader Information Packet, should you need to reference it throughout the weekend: 2024 Group Leader Information Packet.

Group Leader informational meetings will be at 5:00 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. in the Aerobics Room, Second Floor, FFH.  Group leaders and new chaperones are expected to attend.


Adult Chaperone Responsibilities (incl. Group Leaders & Priests)

  • Know where your youth are at all times.
  • Effectively communicate said rules and regulations to all members of your group.
  • Adhere to all posted signage pertaining to the conference on the campus of Franciscan University, and ensure that the youth of your group do the same.
  • Attend to the needs of the youth throughout the duration of the conference weekend.
  • Lead small groups.
  • Be present and helpful to the youth, especially in dealing with points of confusion or misunderstanding.
  • Pray with and for the youth of your group throughout the duration of the conference.

Prayer Ministry

The First Line of Defense

Thank you for your yes to care for and minister to the youth at the Steubenville Youth Conference!

The Group Leader and adult chaperones are the primary ministers to the youth on the weekend. Please be sure to share all of this information with all adult chaperones and religious in your group.

The Team of Prayer Ministers

Prayer ministers will be wearing red shirts and will be available on Friday and Saturday night and Sunday morning. They may approach you to ask if you need assistance. Feel free to approach a prayer minister for help.

Role of Prayer Ministry

The role of prayer ministry is to serve and support you and your chaperones by offering spiritual assistance to the youth in your group. Prayer ministry is an extension of the ministry done by the ministry team from the stage and by you as the Group Leader and chaperones. They can assist you if there are several youth that need attention or if there is a particular situation that you and your chaperones are unsure how to handle.

Remaining Present

If a prayer minister does assist your youth, it is ideal to have an adult chaperone from your group present to watch over and pray with them also. It is good for the youth to have a familiar person present. In addition, it is the adult chaperone who will be going home with the youth. Therefore, he or she can continue to pray for and with the youth at home if needed. If this is not possible, know that the prayer minister will encourage the youth and let them know that group leaders and chaperones are there for them, if need be.