The women spent their morning together sharing and praying about how to be “women in love.”

During the women’s session, Katie Hartfiel shared her own experience of learning to live as a woman in love with the Lord.  She explains that to do that, our answer to Jesus must always be “yes.”  That simple “yes” to Jesus that changes everything.  He dwells within us, and we are called to radiate that love to everyone we encounter.  Katie shared the example of a friend who was able to be a witness of her faith simply through her love of the Lord.  When at a party, her friend was asked what it was that made her look so radiantly in love.  She was single, but radiated the joy of a woman deeply in love.  What followed was a long conversation about her love of Jesus- the source of her joy.

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Our men’s session today began with praise & worship, a game of “Nail it or Fail it” (which got everyone involved), and even some beatboxing which was done by volunteers from the crowd.

After these icebreakers, Kyle began his talk by reminding us of the story of David and Goliath. David was skilled at the using a slingshot. He had used the slingshot to ward off the prey who had attempted to kill his sheep. So, he used what he knew to fight the battle against Goliath.

Kyle challenged us all to consider what our personal Goliaths might be, including but, not limited to: low self-esteem, drugs, drinking, sexual sin, pride, selfishness, despair, laziness, and unforgiveness. Kyle didn’t list every struggle that any of us might have, but we all know what are own personal struggles are, right?

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At Steubenville, we encounter Jesus in many special ways—in small groups, in praise and worship, in the volunteers who serve us, in the Sacraments where we encounter the person of Christ. At Mass in particular, we encounter Jesus in an extraordinary way that elevates earth to meet heaven. So with the tag-line “Elevate,” there is no other way to begin the second day of SteubySTL than with Mass.

Fr. Crisman, the Vocations Director for the Diocese of Denver, concelebrated with Bishop Rice. He preached that we must be elevated by Christ to encounter Christ, and demonstrated how that happens in a most extraordinary way at Mass.

“Our engagement in what is happening at the Mass will assist us in being lifted up to Jesus—our hearts and our very lives being elevated really to the gates of heaven.”

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Dozens of priests distribute Communion to thousands of people during every Steubenville conference weekend. If you’ve ever wondered how that manages to go so smoothly, talk to Father Schumer and Father Sullivan. Both priests spend their conference weekends helping the seminarians to coordinate all of the Masses, Processions, and Confessions.

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