Category: 2024 Youth Conference 1-Day Joliet

2024 Youth Conference 1-Day Joliet

Posted on

Do you have a Vocation?

Don’t think too hard…the answer is Yes!

Every single person was created by God and called by God…so we all have a calling. Some people are called to marriage, others to the single life, and some to serve God and his Church through the vocation of religious consecration (sisters and brothers), diaconate, or priesthood. 

How do we know what path God is calling us to follow?

We have to seek to HEAR God’s voice!

  • Hearing Starts by Listening – spend time daily in personal prayer and reading Scripture. Ten minutes and day will change your life. Try it!
  • Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacraments – spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist, attend Mass, and participate in confession, and he will reveal his plan for you.
  • Appointment with a Priest or Religious – get to see what the life of a priest, brother, or sister is about by talking to a real, live person…he or she won’t bite!
  • Retreat – go on a retreat or discernment weekend. You will learn more about yourself, and God will bless your openness!

 

Posted on

Priestly Discernment Program – Franciscan University

Is God calling you to consider becoming a priest?

Discern a possible vocation to the priesthood and/or religious life with other young men and receive preparation for seminary! Young men in the Priestly Discernment Program (PDP) at Franciscan University of Steubenville gain a firm foundation in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Four Dimensions of Formation:

  1. Intellectual Formation
  2. Human Formation
  3. Spiritual Formation
  4. Pastoral Formation

Here at Franciscan, we add a fifth dimension, dedicated to Fraternal Formation, for the building up of community life and brotherhood.

Log on to our website or visit our Facebook page for more Information.
Website
Facebook

Posted on

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. 

Posted on

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.
Posted on

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

&nbsp

Posted on

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

Posted on

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

Posted on

Bishop Ronald Hicks

Bishop Ron Hicks was ordained to the priesthood in 1994. He served at several parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago before serving as regional director at Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos in El Salvador. He was Dean of Formation at Mundelein Seminary before he was appointed Vicar General, then auxiliary bishop. He was named bishop of the Diocese of Joliet in 2020.

Posted on

Dress Guidelines

Partnership for Youth requests that all participants adhere to the following guidelines regarding modest dress.
Please note that it is the responsibility of group leaders and chaperones to address these guidelines with their teens. Conference staff and volunteers will not personally address modesty with participants unless there is a gross violation.

Please avoid the following:
*Shorts, skirts, or dresses shorter than 5 inches above the knee while standing, or that are tight, drawing attention to the shape of the body.
*Shirts that reveal midriff or are low cut from the neck area.
*Leggings, yoga pants and tights, unless paired with a long loose fit ting tunic or dress.
*Rolling up of skirts or shorts at the leg or waistband.
*Pants or shorts that say to the point where they reveal one’s undergarments.
*Clothing that may appear to have an anti-Christian message or with writings that include crude language, promotion of alcohol or drug use, or suggestive material of a crude or a sexual nature.
*”Free Hugs” signs and shirts.

Additionally:
*Shoes must be worn at all time.
*During all Liturgies and prayers, out of respect, every male must remove any headwear. This includes all hats, visors, headbands, bandanas, etc.
*Individuals serving in any capacity during the liturgical celebrations are asked to wear long pants or a long skirt and an appropriate shirt.
*Dancing that appears inappropriate or vulgar will not be permitted.

Posted on

Saturday Morning Questions

Goal: To invite young people into an open, honest moment of self-reflection on their own faith. Have them ask the question, first, “Do I truly believe in God?” and second, “Do I trust God?”. 

Saturday Morning Keynote Scripture: Mark 10:46-52 (The Healing of the Blind Man, Bartimaeus). 

Entering into the Conference: 

  • Where are you (physically, spiritually, emotionally) coming into today? What’s currently the biggest/ most important/ most stressful/ most exciting event going on in your life right now. 
  • How have you seen Jesus working in your life during the past few months? 

Experience of Praise and Worship: 

  • Describe your experience of praise and worship this morning. 
  • What was something the worship leader said that struck you? Have you ever prayed like this before? What did you enjoy about this style of prayer? Why? What was difficult about praying like this? Why? 

Keynote: 

  • What struck you from the Gospel reading of Jesus Healing the Blind Man, Bartimaeus? 
    • Who do you relate with most in the story? Why? 
    • What are those things in your life rebuking you and telling you to be silent? What are those things in your life attempting to undermine your understanding of Jesus? 
  • Do these things, in turn, illuminate God or obscure Him? Do they help us see God for who he really is? Or, do they make us blind to who he is? 
    • Just as Jesus comes to Bartimaeus and brings light/ restores his sight, we have those things in our lives which provide meaning/ purpose/ light. What are those?  
  • If you could pick two words to describe who God is to you/ your relationship with him, what words would you pick? Why? 
  • If Jesus were to ask you the same question he asked Bartimaeus, “What can I do for you?” how would you respond? What would you ask for? 
  • For the small group leader: we encourage you to share parts of your story of how Jesus came and brought sight to your own life. At the end of this small group session, please share your story with your young people. In addition, invite them to share their own stories of how Jesus has worked, or hope he will work, in their life today.  
Posted on

Saturday Afternoon Questions

Goal: to show how Jesus, through his cross and Resurrection, has overcome sin and death by suffering with us. Through this session, our hope is to continue to remove barriers and develop an expectant and eager faith in Christ. 

Saturday Afternoon Keynote Scripture: Luke 22:39-46 (Agony in the Garden) & John 20:11-18 (Appearance to Mary Magdalene) 

Keynote: 

  • Which “Garden” do you find yourself in? Why? 
    • Gethsemane – life sometimes feels really dark or heavy; there may be a lot going on that’s overwhelming and stressful; lack in trust that God is who he says he is. 
    • Eden – distant from God, feeling cut off, abandoned, or that you cannot approach God as a Father or friend. 
    • Empty Tomb – there’s joy and a feeling of closeness with Jesus. While issues may exist, they may not feel so intimidating. 
  • What is preventing you or what hesitations do you have when thinking about entering into and embracing the garden of the empty tomb? 
  • What do you hope that the Holy Spirit will ‘transform’ in your life? What areas of darkness do you want him to bring light into? 
    • For the small group leader: briefly share a time when you experienced the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in your life. What was that like? What did you feel or experience? How was life different after? 

Silence: 

  • What stood out to you in praying through the Scripture of the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene? 
  • Was that experience of praying with Scripture new? What did you enjoy/ find difficult? 

Adoration: 

  • What was your adoration experience like this afternoon? 
  • What did God do in your heart during eucharistic adoration? Did he speak or reveal anything specifically to you? 
    • Help the youth understand that, even if they didn’t feel anything, God is still working in their lives and calling them to an intimate relationship with him. 
  • Has your image of Jesus changed after the talk and eucharistic adoration? How? 
  • Do you have any questions about what you experienced? 
  • What is different about the light/ meaning/ purpose Jesus provides as opposed to that which is offered by other things in our lives that appear to provide light/ meaning/ purpose? 
  • Did Jesus illuminate any particular areas of your life which felt previously dark? 
Posted on

Evening Questions (Possibly on the ride home)

  • What did your experience at this conference show you about God’s love? 
  • What is one thing you can do to foster your relationship with Jesus after the conference and every day?  
  • What are some challenges you are going to face at home? 
  • What will you do if you struggle to live your life in Christ or if the circumstances at home make it challenging to live your faith? 
  • How will you stay connected with your youth group, friends, and community members who are striving to live as followers of Christ? 
  • How can you bring this conference experience back to your parish, youth group, high school, family, friends, etc.? How can you share this faith with others? 
  • When you encounter those areas of darkness that you came into the day with, what is your ‘action plan’? How will you seek Christ and as the one true light? 
  • If you could ask the Holy Spirit for two things, what would they be?