Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
July 25, 2001
Steubenville event rocks the Rockies
4th annual conference draws more than 2,000 youth to Denver
By Jennifer Radcliffe
Some 2,000 youth from across the country attended the 4th annual Steubenville of the Rockies conference making it the largest yet, organizers said.
Featuring prayer, worship and fun, the 2001 Franciscan University High School Youth Conference took place July 13-15 at Holiday Inn-DIA.
This year's theme "God —there is no other," was reflected throughout the event's workshop offerings, which included discussions on living as a disciple of Jesus, growing closer to God through Eucharistic adoration, the power of the Holy Spirit, striving to be holy, and chastity. During the conference, participants were treated to uplifting and energizing music that often brought them to their feet, clapping and raising their hands to the Lord.
The event ended with the teens participating in a joyful Mass celebrated by Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. Throughout his homily, the archbishop urged the young crowd to actively participate in their faith. Emphasizing the importance of modeling and living a compassionate life, he paraphrased the scripture that states: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind and, you shall love your neighbor as you love yourself."
The archbishop went on to stress the importance of knowing how much God loves us, noting: "Each one of us is unique. Our faith tells us that every one of us has been loved into existence by God."
He concluded by telling the rapt crowd that "Jesus is inviting us to life" and that the faithful are called to put theory into practice by living a life of faith and love.
After the Mass, Father Dave Pivonka, T.O.R., director of youth outreach at Franciscan University of Steubenville, spoke of the importance of vocations. The crowd responded with a standing ovation and broke into cheers and uproarious clapping for the clergy who volunteered their time to the event and for those teens who stepped forward during a vocations call to show that they feel they may have a vocation.
"Church always seemed stuffy and old fashioned, but when I walk into a room with over 2,000 teens, I cry from the amazing faith and energy," said Sarah Pikul, 15, from the Diocese of Buffalo, New York. The first-time Steubenville conference participant added, "This conference has renewed my faith in God. It makes you realize that God is always there, taking care of you."
Kelly Wimiarski, 16, also from the Diocese of Buffalo, said that she came to the conference depressed and unsure of her faith due to the death of her mother.
"The conference helped to lift my spirits and renew my faith in God," she said.
Jason Soltis, events coordinator for the Archdiocese of Denver, said that the event enables youth to step outside their parish and experience the larger Church.
"(It) speaks to kids where they are at and it asks them to do more," he said. "It brings them into a fuller understanding of the Church and their relationship with God."
As the biggest youth evangelization conference in Denver, Steubenville of the Rockies encourages and inspires teens to evangelize others through personally modeling faith and virtue.
Denise Pfnister, director of small faith communities at St. Louis Parish in Louisville, said that the conference gives kids, "a shot in the arm of evangelization — it speaks about spreading the Gospel through words and actions."
The event "touches the heart and soul of kids," she added. "It moves them into a more quiet and convicted sense of their faith and relationship with God."
The event provides an opportunity for teens to deepen their relationship with God, renew their love of the Church and find common ground and friendship among their peers, organizers said. In a world that promotes living in ways contrary to the teachings of the Church, the conference shows teens and adults alike that God is calling them into a deeper and more meaningful relationship with him, they added.
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