Dr. Scott Hahn is the Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, Professor of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is also the founder and president of the St. Paul Center, an apostolate dedicated to teaching Catholics to read Scripture from the heart of the Church. Dr. Hahn has been married to his wife, Kimberly, for 44 years. They have 6 children and 22 grandchildren. They also have one son ordained to the Diocese of Steubenville, Father Jeremiah Hahn. As the author and editor of over 50 popular and academic books, Dr. Hahn’s works include best-selling titles Rome Sweet Home, The Lamb’s Supper, and Hail, Holy Queen. His most recent title is Catholics in Exile; Biblical Wisdom for our Journey Home (Emmaus Road, 2023).
Dr. Andrew Swaffordis professor of theology at Benedictine College. He is co-author of A Catholic Guide to the Old Testament, Gift and Grit: How Heroic Virtue Can Change Your Life and Relationships (with his wife, Sarah), and What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith (with Marcellino D’Ambrosio) and co-host of Ascension’s video series filmed in Rome under the same title. He is general editor and contributor to Ascension’s Great Adventure Catholic Bible and co-host and author of Ascension’s Bible studies on Romans and Hebrews. He is also an avid student of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and lives with his wife and their six children in Atchison, Kansas.
Father Charles Samsonwas ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis on May 25, 2013. He serves on the faculty of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, where he teaches New Testament and Biblical Archaeology of the Holy Land.
Fr. Samson obtained a license in Sacred Scripture (SSL) from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, and a doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD) from the Pontifical Gregorian University, both in Rome. Fr. Samson loves parish priesthood, languages, young adult ministry, marriage prep, playing Ultimate Frisbee, and everything related to Star Wars.
Marcus Peter spent many years as a militant atheist before encountering a life-changing conversion experience. He previously served with the Assemblies of God as a praise leader and itinerant preacher for two years. However, through a consistent and prayerful study of Scripture, the fathers, theology, philosophy, and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he found his way back to the Church and returned home in full communion in 2010. He has given tens of thousands of talks across the world on the faith. Marcus has studied philosophy and Alphonsian Spirituality and received a master’s degree in systematic theology from Ave Maria University. He is also completing a doctorate in biblical studies and serves as a radio/tv host with Ave Maria Radio.
Gary Michuta is popular speaker, debater, and author of several books on Catholic apologetics and biblical studies such, as Why Catholic Bibles are Bigger, Making Sense of Mary, The Case for the Deuterocanon, Hostile Witnesses: How the Enemies of the Church Provide Christianity, and Revolt Against Reality: Fighting the Foes of Sanity and Truth-From the Serpent to the State. He is an instructor of apologetics for Home School Connections and the host of the radio show Hands On Apologetics on Virgin Most Powerful Radio.
Jeff Cavins returned to the Catholic Church after serving as a Protestant minister for 12 years. He received his MA in theology from Franciscan University and was founding host of Life on the Rock on EWTN. Jeff created The Great Adventure Bible Studies using a system that enables students to understand the chronological flow of Scripture. He is the author of several books, including Praise God and Thank Him: Biblical Keys for Joyful Living and When You Suffer: Biblical Keys for Hope and Understanding, and he also leads pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Learn more at jeffcavins.com.
André Villeneuve is a Catholic biblical scholar and Assistant Professor in the Honors College at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA. He holds an M.A. in theology and catechetics from Franciscan University in Steubenville (2005), a Ph.D. in Scripture from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2013), and an S.S.L. from the Pontifical Biblical Commission in Rome (2019). He has taught theology and Scripture at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver, CO, and summer courses at Franciscan University. He is the author of Nuptial Symbolism in Second Temple Writings, the New Testament, and Rabbinic Literature. André is passionate about the Jewish roots of the Catholic faith, leading pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and fostering the reconciliation of Israel and the Church through the work of of Catholics for Israel (www.catholicsforisrael.com).
Kimberly Hahn married Scott in 1979. They met at Grove City College, where she earned a BA in communication arts. While Scott studied to be a pastor, Kimberly earned an MA in theological studies in 1982. They have 6 children and 22 grandchildren. Kimberly became a Catholic in 1990 in Joliet, Illinois, after a difficult struggle during the four years following Scott’s entrance into the Catholic Church. Together they wrote Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism. Kimberly also wrote Life-Giving Love: Embracing God’s Beautiful Design for Marriage, and a four-volume series on marriage and family life: Chosen and Cherished, Graced and Gifted, Beloved and Blessed, and Legacy of Love. Her podcast, “Beloved and Blessed,” reaches tens of thousands weekly.
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:
Intellectual Formation
Human Formation
Spiritual Formation
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
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.
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.
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.
