Lydia from LEAD is a member of St. Benedict Parish in Duluth, MN – in the Diocese of Duluth, MN. She is homeschooled, will be a senior in high school this fall, but also takes classes at a local community college.

This morning, Lydia shared with us how she came to appreciate the importance of the Mass through a powerful experience she had a Catholic youth camp. Here are some of the awesome things she shared:

I’ve very grateful for my parents and the way they’ve fostered me in my faith.

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Fr. Mike Schmitz began his homily with a few jokes, of course. My favorite was that when he was younger, he felt like a man trapped in a woman’s body…and then he was born!

He then shared about a certain line from today’s Gospel that makes him laugh: when Jesus is talking to his disciples and says, “You are worth more than many sparrows.” He shared how this line can be quite comical when taken literally; but that it has a much deeper meaning. Fr. Mike explained that Jesus was simply telling his disciples that they belong. He said, “One of the key things that helps us know who we are is when we know we belong – and if you belong to God, it means you matter, that your life matters.”

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During this weekend’s conference, Mark and Joyce Markowski from St. Gerard Majella Parish in Kirkwood, MO are serving as what they affectionately call “Priest Ubers,” though their official title is “Priest Hospitality.” This is the 4^th year that they have been helping in this way, though it is the 5^th year attending Steubenville for each of them. Joyce has also attended previously an usher, and Mark as a chaperone. They have been married for 30 years.

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Logan from Franciscan LEAD is a member of Holy Rosary Parish in Monroe City, which is a church in the Diocese of Jefferson City, MO. He is going to be a junior at Monroe City High School this fall.

Tonight he shared with us how much he appreciates the power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in his life.

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“God does not need you.”

David Calavitta began his talk by speaking these words. These are words that you don’t necessarily want to hear. They may cause feelings of doubt or worry or even fear. However, David did not end his message there. He continued that thought by saying, “God does not need you, and that’s good news. God wants you.” What a wonderful feeling to be wanted, to be longed for by someone, to belong. If God didn’t want you, He wouldn’t have created you!

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