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.

Youth Minister Coffee House

Coffee is available for youth ministers at the Coffee House, located on Level 4.

Youth ministers are invited to come together for a time of restoration and ministry at the Youth Minister Gathering on Saturday from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. in the Coffee House on Level 4.

Lost and Found

We maintain a Lost and Found at the Guest Services desk located in the Lobby on the first floor. If you realize after the conference that you lost something, call Lori Miller at 214-886-9470. Two weeks after the conference, all items will be discarded.

Guest Services

Hospitality is important to us!  If you have any questions or needs that arise, please stop by the Guest Services desk located in the Lobby on the first floor and let us know how we can help you.

Conference Identification / Wristbands

Conference wristbands identify you as a participant of the Steubenville Lone Star Conference.  Wristbands are to be worn at all times. The wristbands are given to the group leader upon check in and are to be distributed to all chaperones and teens. If a wristband breaks, please bring the broken wristband with you to the Guest Services desk located in the Lobby on the first floor. The broken wristband will be exchanged for a new one.

Arrival / Check-In

Check in will take place at the Irving Convention Center lobby from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Immediately upon arrival, only the group leader plus one additional chaperone and priest (if applicable) should go to check in. Please be sure to have all digital paperwork submitted prior to arrival and bring your signed Safe Environment Form with you to check in. While checking in, it is advised that you send the rest of your chaperones and all your teens to the hotel to check in if needed.

The Group Leader Information Packet will be provided on Friday at check in.

Please see the Buses/Parking section for information on loading, unloading, and parking.

Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN

Sister Josephine Garrett, CSFN is a native Texan, a convert to the Catholic faith, and a sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth. She lives and serves in Tyler, Texas, as a licensed professional counselor. She also loves traveling around to share the love of God with the young Church.

Reconciliation

The sacrament of reconciliation is offered in the Junior Ballroom on Level 3 at select times throughout the weekend.

This year, groups that opted in to a designated time for reconciliation will receive an assigned time for their group. Please reference the Assignments section of the app for your group’s assigned time. This is your group’s guaranteed opportunity to receive the sacrament, so take advantage of it! Please be sure to communicate this time to your group members so they can prepare accordingly.

If your group did not opt in to a designated time, your group may get in line at any of the hours indicated as open to all groups. We are unfortunately unable to provide a designated time to groups who did not pre-request it during the registration process.

During the hours indicated as open to all groups, anyone who desires to receive the sacrament is welcome to get in line.

Reconciliation will be offered at the following times:

Friday
9:30-11:00pm (Open to ALL Groups)

Saturday
11:00am-1:30pm (Open to Assigned Groups)
1:30-2:30pm (Open to Assigned Groups)
2:30-4:00pm (Open to ALL Groups)
5:00-6:45pm(Open to Assigned Groups)
9:45-10:45pm (Open to ALL Groups)

Buses / Parking

Car/Van Parking
All vehicles carrying 15 or fewer passengers are required to load/unload/park in the garage. This will allow for increased safety and greater mobility for all. Parking in the garage is free.

 

Bus Parking
If your bus driver is NOT attending the conference, ask him or her to park the bus at a different location. See the staging and pedestrian safety instructions below.

If your bus driver IS attending the conference, he or she will either park behind the ICC or at the DART Station across the street. Please follow the instructions of the volunteers. You will load/unload in the drive on the East side (along Las Colinas Blvd.) of the Convention Center. The Dart Station parking is 1/4 mile from ICC (East down NW Hwy 114).  The driver can either choose to walk back from the DART Station or call Patrick Cable at 972-816-9777 for transportation. See the staging and pedestrian safety instructions below.

 

Bus Staging
If your bus is NOT parked at the Irving Convention Center, your driver can stage your bus for loading no earlier than 30 minutes prior to dismissal. Your driver needs to stay with the bus while waiting. The bus can be staged in the loading/unloading area on the east side of the Convention Center and on the west side of the parking garage.  Drivers should watch for signage indicating no parking areas.

 

Pedestrian Safety
Please use sidewalks and crosswalks, especially the crosswalks leading to the Convention Center.  It is not safe to cross outside of a crosswalk. Our conference volunteers will not be helping people cross the street. Be sure your teens are together with chaperones when walking to and from the Convention Center.

Fr. Mike Schmitz

Father Michael Schmitz is the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth as well as the chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Father Mike attended Saint Paul Seminary and was ordained in 2003. He offers weekly homilies on iTunes and bulldogCatholic.org and has appeared in programs for youth and young adults through Ascension Press, as well as through regular short video messages on Ascension Presents.

Ben Walther

After producing two albums as an independent Christian musician, Ben Walther joined the Oregon Catholic Press family and released his album Make Your Home in Me in 2013. It debuted at No. 12 on the iTunes Christian charts. In June 2016 he released Ablaze, again partnering with OCP. A graduate of Franciscan University, Ben is honored to serve the Walsh University community as the director of Campus Ministry. He completed his master’s degree in theology and spiritual direction training through Franciscan University. He and his family live in North Canton, Ohio.

Fr. Joe Freedy

Father Joe Freedy is the youngest of five children. He grew up in Pittsburgh and attended Bethel Park High School. Earning a scholarship to the University at Buffalo to play football, Father Freedy started at quarterback for three years. After college, he entered the seminary in Pittsburgh and was assigned to study in Rome first at the Gregorian University and then at the John Paul II Institute. He was ordained a priest in June of 2008 and is currently assigned at Holy Redeemer in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania.

Bob Lesnefsky

Bob Lesnefsky serves as assistant director of Household Life at Franciscan University. He has spent most of his life sharing the hope of God’s love with inner city kids in the nonprofit he started, Dirty Vagabond Ministries. Bob, aka RIGHTEOUS B, is also a washed up, award-winning Christian hip-hop artist and speaker, using rap music as an engaging outreach to teens. Bob and his wife, Kate, both Franciscan University alumni, live in Steubenville, Ohio, with their seven children. Bob also has a ton of stupid tattoos.

Fr. John Burns

Father John Burns is a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He studied business at Notre Dame but then realized a deeper call to give his whole life to God. He was ordained in 2010, and in 2019, he completed a doctorate in moral theology on the topic of healing through forgiveness. Father John works extensively in healing and renewal ministry with communities of women religious. He is founder of Friends of the Bridegroom, an apostolate dedicated to the renewal of the Church through the renewal of the priesthood and women’s religious life.

Sarah Swafford

Sarah Swafford is the founder of Emotional Virtue Ministries. She speaks internationally on faith, relationships, and interior confidence to audiences of all ages at school assemblies, retreats, rallies, parishes, and conferences. She is the author of Emotional Virtue: A Guide to Drama-Free Relationships and cohost of EWTN’s At the Heart of Relationships. Sarah is a contributor to Chosen and What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith, both published by Ascension. She resides in Atchison, Kansas, with her husband, Dr. Andrew Swafford, and their five children. Learn more about Sarah and Emotional Virtue Ministries at theswaffords.com.

First Aid / Emergencies

First Aid
For all medical needs, please go to the First-Aid Room (Level 3, Meeting Room 1). Youth requiring first-aid care must be accompanied by an adult.  Medication requiring refrigeration should be checked in with the first-aid staff.

Emergencies
For extreme emergencies during conference hours, call Lori Miller at 214-886-9470. For less urgent matters, please visit the Guest Services desk located in the lobby of the first floor.

Marketplace

The Marketplace is located on Level 4. You’ll find T-shirts, books, and other religious items for sale here. The sale and distribution of any items without prior permission is strictly prohibited.

The Marketplace hours are as follows:

Friday
4:00-6:00pm
9:30-11:00pm


Saturday
7:30-8:30am
11:00am-4:00pm
5:00-6:45pm
9:45-10:45pm


Sunday
8:00-8:30am

Dress Code

All participants, including adults, are expected to dress appropriately in modest attire. Low-cut tops, miniskirts, short shorts, and clothing with offensive language or obscene pictures are not permitted. Shoes must be worn at all times.

Rules and Regulations

Life Teen is committed to creating an unforgettable and life-changing experience for the youth we serve at Steubenville Conferences, and effective relational ministry is key to creating this experience.

All participants are expected to maintain a Christ-centered atmosphere and treat others with respect and kindness.

Safe Environment Guidelines
All adults attending a Steubenville Conference hosted by Life Teen are responsible for setting and maintaining clear, appropriate boundaries in all ministry relationships, following the Safe Environment guidelines laid out here. In addition to those Safe Environment standards, all groups should adhere to the policies defined by their home diocese. Any suspected inappropriate behavior should be reported to a member of the event staff.

Chaperone Supervision
Adult chaperones must be with youth at all times during the conference. Youth should not wander around the facility without a chaperone present. It is the chaperone’s responsibility to keep the youth safe and supervised at all times throughout the weekend.

Please be sure to always maintain groups of three or more. An adult and a teen should never be alone without another person present. If, for pastoral purposes, an adult needs to have a private conversation with a minor, this must be done in the line of sight of others.

Teens are expected to remain present for every session. If it becomes necessary to leave, teens must be accompanied by an adult chaperone and at least one other individual.

Smoking/Alcohol/Weapons
Participants will not possess or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Except for designated outside areas, all conference venues are smoke-free facilities. Group leaders and chaperones will not smoke or use tobacco products, including vaping, or use profanity in the presence of teens. Weapons are not permitted at the event.

Elevators
Please reserve the elevators for participants who require mobility assistance.

Chapel

The chapel is located on Level 3 and is open during conference hours. Prayer ministers will be available in the chapel for the majority of the conference.

Paul J. Kim

Paul J. Kim is an internationally recognized Catholic speaker, beatboxer, and comedian whose presentations have impacted people in 48 states and 16 countries over the past decade, leading them to life-changing encounters with Christ. He’s the author of the bestselling CatholicAdulting.com online course, the founder of the Triumph Men’s Conference, and his videos have accumulated millions of views. His background includes work as a marriage and family therapist and religious formation with the CFR’s. He resides in Texas with his wife and five children. Learn more about Paul’s ministry at PJKmusic.com.

Andrew Laubacher

Andrew Laubacher, aka ALOB, was raised in Ventura, California, where he attended Mass, played many sports, hung at the beach and was always into music. He attended Catholic school before switching to a public school because he was “tired of the Catholic rules.” In high school, he partied hard. After a serious wake-up call, he decided to attend a Steubenville Youth Conference where he found God. That changed his life. ALOB received degrees in theology and philosophy from Franciscan University. He is on the road full time, traveling and evangelizing around the world.

Ennie Hickman

For over two decades, Ennie Hickmans pursuit of Gospel joy has helped transform the lives of countless people. He has served as a youth minister, coach, domestic missionary, international speaker, nonprofit president, and currently serves The Saint Constantine School in Houston, Texas. In 2019, after 10 years leading Adore Ministries, Ennie and his wife, Cana, founded Del Rey Collective to empower individuals and families to live on mission in ordinary life. Ennie, Cana, and their nine children aim to follow Jesus’ commands to love God and their neighbors while accompanying people in this beautiful, messy, life of joy.

Brian Greenfield

Brian Greenfield was born and raised in Washington, D.C. Brian attended Seton Hall University and then attended Franciscan University of Steubenville. In 2002, Brian entered the Community of the Franciscans of the Renewal. After postulancy, Brian returned to Washington, D.C., to further discern. Brian returned to Seton Hall to finish his studies in theology, receiving his MA in theology and another master’s degree in education leadership. Brian currently lives in Tampa, Florida, with his wife, Genevieve, and three children, Mieko, Michael, and Grace. He works at Jesuit High School, where he is the assistant principal for Discipline.