Deacon Bob Rice lives in the Diocese of Steubenville with his wife, Jennifer, and seven children. He is a professor of catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he teaches courses on Scripture, youth ministry, and music ministry. He travels around the country preaching about Jesus and leading worship. He also does a weekly podcast with Franciscan University President Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, called “They That Hope.” Learn more about him at deaconbobrice.com.
Noelle Mering is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a scholar at the Institute for Human Ecology. She is the author of the book Awake, Not Woke: A Christian Response to the Cult of Progressive Ideology, co-author of the Theology of Home book series, and editor at TheologyofHome.com. Noelle has an MA in philosophy from Franciscan University. She resides in Southern California and is a wife and a mother of six children.
Dr. John Bergsma is a professor of theology at Franciscan University and served as a Protestant pastor for four years before entering the Catholic Church in 2001. Dr. Bergsma holds a PhD in theology from the University of Notre Dame, where he specialized in the Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls. He has authored over a dozen books on Scripture and the Catholic faith, including Bible Basics for Catholics, Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls, and A Catholic Introduction to the Bible. He speaks regularly on Catholic radio and at conferences and parishes nationally and internationally. He and his wife, Dawn, reside with their eight children in the Steubenville area.
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 coneswill be available!
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.
Dave VanVicklefell 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.
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.
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.
Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, became president of Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2019. The well-known Catholic speaker and author received his bachelor’s from Franciscan University, then earned an MDiv, MA in theology, doctorate in education, and executive juris doctorate. A member of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, he was ordained a priest in 1996. He served in leadership positions at Franciscan University including as vice president for Mission and Planning. He also served as director of the TOR’s Post-Novitiate Formation and most recently directed the TOR’s evangelistic outreach Franciscan Pathways.
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 .
A Discipleship Quad is a group of four people who journey together as disciples through weekly gatherings of fellowship, ongoing conversion, and learning. This 12-month path of accompaniment fosters growth through prayer, accountability, and authentic relationships.
A Discipleship Quad is for any person who has a desire to grow in faith as a Catholic and will commit to adhere to all components of the Discipleship Quad Commitment. A Quad can be made up of people at any level of spiritual maturity, from long-time, committed Catholics to those who are just beginning their spiritual journey with Jesus. In addition to growing as disciples, Quad members should desire to be formed as disciple-makers.
What are the benefits of participating in a Discipleship Quad?
The benefit of a Discipleship Quad to each individual person is knowing the love of Jesus Christ and deepening a relationship with him. Through the gift of fellowship with people who also desire this relationship, you will be well on your way to finding peace, joy, and fulfillment in life as part of a Discipleship Quad.
What are people saying about Discipleship Quads?
“I think my personal growth in a relationship with God is encouraged and enhanced by my participation in a Discipleship Quad. I see both the struggles and successes of the group members, and I am held accountable for my efforts in furthering my relationship with God. I am more confident that with the help of the Holy Spirit I will be able to share my faith with others in my church community and in my personal and family relationships. Without the group and the Discipleship Quad materials, I don’t think I would be learning and exploring God’s purpose for my life.” – Michele S.
“Sharing my daily journey with others and hearing their daily journey enables me to see more clearly God at work in my everyday life and in others’ lives. I believe God uses other people to speak to us. Having a trusted community where faith and his Word is discussed lets me hear God’s voice calling to me, nudging me to a closer relationship with him. It also gives me a safe space to practice sharing the Good News (not something that comes naturally) with the goal of being able to do that in the broader areas of my life … Discipleship Quads have ignited my faith, revived my love of the Church, and begun my discernment of how I can ‘pass this on’ next year with a new group. It provides a group that holds me accountable in my faith journey.” – Wendy S.
How can I start a Discipleship Quad?
Review all the training resources and download the Discipleship Quad Guidebook for free on our website.
Pray about who God wants you to invite to join the Quad and make a list of their names.
Reach out to each person on your list and set up a time to talk about the Quad. Review the resources with them and send them the link to our website so they can read through the material on their own time.
Follow up with each person three to five days after your initial conversation to see how they are feeling about joining the Quad and discuss any concerns they may have.
Once you have commitments from three other members, determine a day, time, and location to meet each week.
Have your first gathering!
Go to our website for more information on this process, as well as all the resources you need to launch your own Discipleship Quad. All resources are free!
We do our best to schedule confessors during each conference, but lines may be long when confession is available. If you are unable to receive the sacrament during a conference, you are encouraged to go to confession at your home parish.
The Diocese of Steubenville has granted faculties to hear confessions and concelebrate Masses for all priest guests who hold faculties and are in good standing in their home diocese and have submitted a Letter of Good Standing to the Conference Office. A copy of the letter is on file in the Christ the King Chapel office.
Our community was founded in 1988 to renew the contemplative dimension of the Franciscan penitential form of life of the early friars and sisters of the Third Order Regular. Following our Seraphic Father St. Francis, we embrace the Third Order charism of penance by living a life of evangelical conversion in a spirit of prayer, poverty, and humility. As we daily contemplate Christ’s gracious gift of love offered on the cross and intercede for the needs of all mankind, we seek to give to others the mercy we have received. Under the patronage of our Sorrowful Mother and with the Eucharist as the focal point of our daily life, we live out our mission of standing with Mary at the foot of the cross, offering our life with Christ as a holocaust of love for the salvation of souls.
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 as spiritual leaders and expert guides, you will have the opportunity to learn more about our Catholic heritage and its roots. We walk where saints once tread. 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. We ensure daily mass and prayer every day on pilgrimage, while fully experiencing the authentic culture you are placed in. It is a great time to experience fellowship with other pilgrims of faith traveling from all over the nation. You will have the opportunity to not only build relationships with Christ, but with your fellow pilgrims in a unique experience. We are excited to share with you our upcoming 2023-2024 pilgrimages to places like the Holy Land, Germany, Scotland, Italy, and hopefully more. If you are interested in any of our pilgrimages, or just want to learn more general information, you can contact the pilgrimage office at pilgrimages@franciscan.edu. You can also call 740-284-5812. Take this to prayer and see what the Lord has in store for you! We are excited to hopefully hear from you and invite you to join us for a once in a lifetime experience on a Franciscan University pilgrimage!
If you have purchased a meal plan, your name badge will be necessary for admission into all meals. If you have not purchased a meal plan, breakfast, lunch, and dinner can be purchased in Antonian Hall for $9, $12, and $15, respectively. Otherwise, please consider visiting Cupertino’s Café or the Pub (both located in the J.C. Williams Center) or the retailers at Franciscan on the Square (near the University’s entrance) for food and beverages. See “Cafe and Campus Store Hours” under the “Information” button for the hours of operations for the Cupertino’s Café and the Pub.
Meal Location Information
If you have been with us in the past, you would know that we have had very long lines for food throughout this conference. To alleviate these long lines, we have added a second location for food service. If you have a meal plan, your two options for lunch and dinner throughout the weekend are the Cafeteria or the Tent.
At the Cafeteria, we have staggered entrance times to alleviate long lines there. These times are posted on signs throughout campus. We will also have push notifications identifying these times. Please honor these times based on the sticker that is on your nametag (blue and yellow). These times only apply to lunch and dinner at the cafeteria. The tent will not have staggered times, and the mealtimes for the tent are the same as the cafeteria.
If you do not have a meal plan and want to eat on campus, you can only purchase food at the retail locations on campus and at the Tent. Only those with meal plans can eat at the cafeteria.
For those that are waiting for their time to go to dinner, we would encourage you to visit our bookstore which includes titles from many of the presenters this weekend or to visit the Port Chapel area which includes the Tomb of the Unborn Child, Our Lady of Guadalupe image, Stations of the Cross and Marian Grotto.
The Apostolate for Family Consecration® (AFC) supports and challenges Catholic families to grow in holiness, grow in truth, and grow together so that they can become fully alive in Christ. We offer Catholic family vacations, retreats, and resources to lead families to an encounter with Jesus and form them in the truths of our Catholic Faith.The AFC is a private association of Christ’s faithful founded in 1975 by Jerry and Servant of God Gwen Coniker.
Members of the media, please contact John Romanowsky in the Marketing and Communications Department at740-284-5893 or jromanowsky@franciscan.edubefore conducting interviews or publishing reports. No commercial use of conference activities may be made without authorization.
