Tonight, keynote speaker David Calavitta began by reminding the 3,500-plus members of Generation Z gathered here that each person is created fearless: made for love and from love. David shared with the teens that each of us is a miracle.

During the good times, we receive that simple, loving message easily. But, in more difficult times, the message of God’s unconditional love gets drowned out by lies from the Enemy. When we fail to live up to a certain standard of performance, behavior, expectation, status, or popularity, we might be tempted to run and hide from our loving Father. Shame drives us to hide instead of allowing us to run freely into His arms. There we would find the love and peace we seek.

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Week 2 of Steubenville Mid-America has an awesome team! We are pleased to introduce you to our host, worship leader, team priest, and speakers who are all excited to be with us. Keep reading to find out more about them!

Chris Stefanick – Host

Chris is an acclaimed speaker, author, TV host, and Catholic curriculum creator. He has been able to reach millions via his reality tv show, radio segments, and online videos. He hopes to inspire everyone to live a contagious and bold faith. He is also the founder and President of Real Life Catholic, a non-profit which does outreach events to Catholic parishes. Chris is a proud husband to his wife Natalie and father of six.

For more from Chris, check out Twitter and his website!

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Today, on the Feast of St. Bonaventure, 97 volunteers gathered at Mass to pray for everyone journeying to Steubenville Mid-America, Fearless: Week 2! Bishop Rice, of the Diocese of Springfield – Cape Girardeau, celebrated the liturgy.

In the First Reading, the prophet Isaiah calls Hezekiah, a dying man, to “put your house in order.” Bishop Rice reminded the volunteers that these same words can be spoken to us. One day, we too shall die. However, as people of faith, we know that our story doesn’t end there. Even though fear might be present in our final moment, we know that dying becomes our, “last and greatest act of faith,” as we trust in the life of the world to come.

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“Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of poverty, so that you might be our greatest treasure. We thank you for the gift of chastity, so that you might be our greatest love. We thank you for the gift of obedience, so that doing your will would be our greatest joy.”