Hospitality is important to us! Please stop by the Information Table in the lobby of Carnesecca Arena and let us know how we can help you.
Emergency Contact
For emergencies 24 hours a day, call St. John’s Public Safety at 718-990-5252. They will call 911. For less urgent matters needing Public Safety call 718-990-6281, or call 860-460-3947 to reach the site coordinator, Jill Patten. Families may leave messages by calling the group leader.
Dining Halls
Groups will be assigned to a specific dining hall for the weekend. Participants with Red, Orange, and Yellow wristbands will eat at Montgoris Dining Hall. Those with Green, Blue, and Violet wristbands will eat at Marillac Dining Hall. On Friday night, a BBQ dinner will be served for all on the plaza in front of Carnesecca Arena, weather permitting. During open dining, groups can choose which time to go to the dining hall. Group leaders should take caution in arriving late to breakfast, as they could miss the meal or start of session if other groups choose to do the same.
Arena Seating
To seat everyone fairly, we rotate seating sections throughout the weekend. Seating assignments are listed in the app, and ushers will be able to assist you to your section (floor, courtside seats, and arena level seats.) This will give every group the opportunity to sit in the “choice seats.” Seating is open for the workshops.
Dr. Michael P. Barber
Dr. Michael P. Barber is associate professor of Scripture and theology at the Augustine Institute (Denver, Colorado). He has authored various books and scholarly articles for academic journals (such as Journal of Biblical Literature and Journal for the Study of Paul and His Letters). His most recent titles are Paul, A New Covenant Jew: Rethinking Pauline Theology (Eerdmans, 2019), co-authored with Brant Pitre and John Kincaid, and Salvation: What Every Catholic Should Know (Augustine Institute Press). He lives in Aurora, Colorado, with his wife, Kimberly, and their six children.
Dr. Ryan Marr
Ryan “Bud” Marr is the Director of the National Institute for Newman Studies and Associate Editor of the Newman Studies Journal. He earned an M.Div. from Duke Divinity School and a Ph.D. in historical theology from Saint Louis University, where he also worked in the campus ministry department. Dr. Marr’s dissertation on Newman’s ecclesiology was published by Fortress Press in 2018, and he has also contributed chapters to Newman and Life in the Spirit, The Oxford Handbook of John Henry Newman, and Learning from all the Faithful: A Contemporary Theology of the Sensus Fidei.
Fr. Andrew Hochstedler
Fr. Andrew Hochstedler, OFM Conv., was born and grew up in Istanbul, Turkey. Following undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame, he returned to Istanbul to work as a correspondent for Compass Direct News, reporting on religious freedom in the Middle East. He was received into the Catholic Church in 2006 and joined the Conventual Franciscans in Turkey in 2008, completing his religious formation in Italy and Lebanon. Since his
ordination to the priesthood in 2017 he has continued graduate studies on early Christianity and the Syriac Churches, first at the University of Notre Dame and currently at the University of Oxford.
Adore Ministries
On behalf of Adore Ministries, I’d like to personally thank you for participating in the 3rd Steubenville Encounter Houston Conference.
We are praying for your weekend, and we hope that you will come to experience the Lord in a new and powerful way. The mission of this conference has always been about the renewal of the Church, echoing in our time those supernatural words “Go, rebuild my church”, and we are excited to partner with Franciscan University on bringing this renewal front and center for so many. Adore has always been about this renewal, and in partnering on this conference, we hope to inspire many to take up this challenge in their everyday life. As missionaries, we have taken this message to heart whether it be through youth discipleship, family dinners, worship nights or conferences.
It is our joy to accompany so many on this journey. As you journey through this weekend, know that we are available to assist you in anything you might need, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to pull one of us aside. We are here to serve you, walk alongside you, and pray with you! Once again, thank you for your yes, and may the Lord Jesus Christ pour out his blessing on you during this Encounter with Him.
Jonathan Alexander
President, Adore Ministries
Ladies Lounge
You don’t need to go to the bathroom in groups to get a moment of girls’ only time this weekend. Pop into the Ladies Lounge located within the General Session Tate Ballroom on the 2nd floor of the Vineyard Tower any time from 8 am to 10 pm on Saturday to visit, nurse, or craft. Supplies for DIY Saint Wine Charms, watercolor, and metal stamping will be waiting for you…not to mention our foot massager! A special thanks to our Ladies Lounge sponsor, Chewslife!
Join us for the following events, Saturday, at 8:30am:
Mary, Martha, and Mimosa
(Ladies Lounge, Tate C6)
Do you identify with one (or more) of these words? Then join us in the Ladies Lounge for free mimosas and morning reflection by Katie Hartfiel (of “Woman in Love”). Mimosas are first come first serve and for 21+. Bring a journal and a friend!
While you drink mimosas, send your husband to:
The Faith. The Fight. The French Press.
(Tate A)
Enter into the cosmic battle that has been raging since the fall of the angels, thereby embracing authentic Christian masculinity. Knowing who you are changes everything. Join us in Tate A for coffee and a morning reflection by Mark Hartfiel of “That Man is You.”
Join us for the following events, Saturday, at 9:30am:
Presentation by Shannon Wendt, of ChewsLife
(Ladies Lounge)
Join us for the following events, Saturday, at 10:30am:
Hand Lettering Workshop with Ali Hoffman, of Oodles of Doodles
(Ladies Lounge)
Join Ali Hoffman from The Oodles Of Doodles in the Ladies Lounge for a relaxing time of learning better hand lettering and faux calligraphy. No need to be perfect already, just come as you are!
Rules and Regulations
You are an adult. We don’t need to tell you how to be respectful of others and the hotel facilities. Use your common sense. Don’t try to impress that cute girl in a way that could get you or someone else injured. Don’t forget to pick up your kids from childcare on time. Don’t do anything illegal. Be loving to those in your ten-foot radius including the hotel worker who may not have a good attitude because they don’t get to attend the conference and float the lazy river.
Wristbands
Conference wristbands provided at check in are required to enter all and any conference sessions. Conference Wristbands include:
Blue – Participant (Adult and Children) and Volunteers
Orange – Friday Night Concert Only Pass
Black – Conference Staff
If you purchased priority seating during the Matt Maher concert, you wristband will be marked as such.
The hotel will provide a different wristband for Paradise Springs upon check in. Commuters DO NOT have access to hotel amenities such as the Pools and Paradise Springs. Only those registered to stay at the hotel will have access to these areas.
Dining & Eats
I want something quick and cheap!
I want something local and delicious!
Download the “Gaylord Texan” App here to discover all there is to do and eat at the Gaylord!
“Show your Badge (App)” Specials at local restaurants
The hotel will be providing some easy and quick meal options:
Mission Plaza Marketplace:
- Grab and Go Breakfast Combos – $10 inclusive of tax
- Option 1: Breakfast burritos/sandwich with whole fruit and *Drip coffee, tea, or water
- Option 2: Pastry, Parfait, and *Drip coffee, tea, or water
- Lunch Combo – $15 inclusive of tax
- Cold sandwich or wrap with bag of chips, coffee, soda, or water
Riverwalk Cantina will be running a buffet.
Texan Station will offer a la carte items.
Mercantile
The Adore Mercantile is your one-stop shop for various quality goods, music, and resources that directly support domestic missions, Catholic companies, and our conference ministry team. The Adore Mercantile is located in Tate Ballroom B on the 2nd floor of Vineyard Tower and will be open the following hours:
Saturday
8:00am – 12:30pm
2:30pm – 7:00pm
Sunday
11:00am – 12:00pm
Lost & Found
If you have lost an item anywhere in the hotel, please check with our Info Desk located on the 2nd floor of Vineyard Tower outside of Tate Ballroom first, and then contact the hotel’s Loss Prevention department at the front desk or by calling 713-654-1777
First Aid
First aid is located on the 2nd floor in Tate Ballroom accessible through the door closest to the info desk. Look for signs in the Pre-Function Area.
Emergency Contact
(832) 209-2190 ext. 4
Chapel
The Conference Chapel is located on Level 2 of the Vineyard Tower in Tate Ballroom A5 and available for quiet prayer all day Saturday 8AM to 8PM. If you would like to sign up for a Holy Hour, please click here. Reconciliation is also available here from 2:30pm – 6:00pm on Saturday.
7-17 Year Olds
Adore Ministries missionaries and friends are excited to be providing this year’s Kid Camp for your elementary- through high school-age children! We’ve got all sorts of camp games, swimming, and fun so you can rest assured your kids are engaged and having a blast during your time at the sessions on Saturday!
3-6 Year Olds
Kidventure isn’t just in Houston! They are all over Texas helping to build the lives of kids, provide them with opportunities to grow strong, and demonstrate that they can make a real difference in the world. We are excited to have them back for a third year hanging with your preschool- through kindergarten-aged children. Get ready for loads of fun with costumes, make believe play, and even an indoor Gaga pit!
3 Months-2 Year Olds
This year, Adore Ministries is super excited to add a new partner for your 3-month to 2-year-old children. Sitting Made Simple is a professional babysitting agency. Get your kids excited about a full day of interactive games and activities. Special thanks to St. Francis of Assisi Preschool for providing all the fun toys!
Travel Map
Tap here for the Visitors Shuttle Brochure
Tap here for the Navigate Gaylord Hotels App
Tap here for the Conference Map
Mark Hart
Mark Hart serves full time as executive vice president of Life Teen, a Catholic youth ministry movement currently being implemented in 1,800 parishes in 30 countries worldwide. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Mark is a best-selling author of over a dozen books, popular speaker, and SiriusXM radio host. His wildly popular DVD study series, Altaration, Encounter, and T3 are currently utilized in homes, youth groups, and classrooms across the globe. Mark and his wife, Melanie, have three daughters, Hope, Trinity, and Faith, and one son, Josiah. They live in Phoenix, Arizona.
Mark & Katie Hartfiel
It was the night before her wedding and Katie knew that the next time she saw her husband-to-be he would be standing at the end of a long aisle. Katie handed Mark a gift that she had been preparing for him since high school; a binder of letters to her future spouse. The pages within were eager to reveal the secrets of a love that began years before the couple had ever laid eyes on one another. Thousands of miles away a teenage boy began his transformation to a life in Christ. In fact the very week that Katie began praying most intensely for her future husband, was the exact week of Mark’s conversion.
Katie Hartfiel received her theology degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville and spent the following seven years serving as a youth minister in Houston. She now feels blessed to spend her days with her husband, Mark, and their four children, while still getting to travel to speak about Jesus. For more on Katie, her books, and your first chapters free, visit womaninlove.org.
Information
Please bring your children to the first floor of the Vineyard Tower. You will be able to check in all ages in one place. Liability forms will need to be signed upon arrival. Please keep your cell phone on you at all times in case we need to reach you. In order to take advantage of childcare at Encounter Texas, you must have registered and paid for your kids in advance. No same-day registration will be available. Purchase of a “Kid Weekend Pass” does not give access to childcare.
Childcare is provided on Saturday only:
8:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.
12:15 p.m. to 5 p.m.
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
*You must pick up your child for meals.