Saturday Evening Recap

Afternoon Keynote – Tim Jara

“No storm is stronger than the Savior.” Tim spoke to us this afternoon about prayer and our relationship with God, especially in times of stress and anxiety. In our fallen world, we can sometimes succumb to negativity and doubt that God even cares about us, much less our problems. But just as He did 2,000 years ago with St. Matthew and again with the disciples in the storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus draws near. He loves us; he calls us. Jesus was sleeping in the boat when the storm popped up. The disciples woke him, fearing for their lives. Jesus calmed the storm. He has power over any storm in our lives. So “who do you take your cue from when life gets crazy – the storm or the Savior?”

Tim also invited us to pray using the ARRR method.

• Acknowledge – What’s going on? What are you feeling? Acknowledge His love for you.
• Relate – Share these things with Jesus. Talk to him like a friend.
• Receive – Who does Jesus say that you are? What does He want to say to you about this situation? Pray with the Gospels.
• Respond in Gratitude – Is there anything Jesus is asking you to do? Resolve to do it.

Finally, Tim suggested several scripture verses to reflect on:

• Mark 4:38-41
• 1 Peter 5:7
• Mt 6:25-34
• Philippians 4:6-7

Saturday Evening Keynote – Sr. M. Karolyn, Nunes, SFGM

“For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”” (Dt 4:24)

Tonight Sr Karolyn opened up the scripture for this weekend in a deeper way. “Everyday He wants us to give Him a little bit more of our hearts.” She explained that He knows what’s best for us and what’s best for us is that our hearts belong totally to Him. God is always refining us and burning away the false idols in our lives that we place before Him. When we surrender those idols, we become more ourselves.

Sister guided us through the seven last statements of Jesus. From His forgiveness of those who were actively crucifying Him to the feeling of abandonment on the cross and ultimately His death, Jesus shows His love for us over and over again. The all-consuming love of God that will explode from the tomb on Easter Sunday morning brings new life and new freedom for us.

Sister showed several images of sacred art, but one of the most beautiful was that of the Sacred Heart. “The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the chief symbol of His love for us.” He offers us His Sacred Heart, if we want it. All He wants to do is love you. Will you let him? Will you let him burn away everything that is not of Him so that you might become radiant?

Adoration

Tonight we had the opportunity to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist in a personal and profound way. Fr. Rufino Corona, TOR processed through the arena filled with over 4,000 people, offering teens and volunteers the chance to worship the risen Lord closely.

Watch the livestream here.

Consumed by the Love of God

Women’s Session – Sr. M. Karolyn Nunes, FSGM

Sr. M. Karolyn started women’s session with the statement, “Sometimes we fight battles we’re not meant to fight.” She continued on to explain that so many battles in our lives are not ours, but His. They are not ours to “figure out, fix, or fight.” And yet it is important to go to battle with Him.

Sister continued on to explain the effects of the fall: darkened intellect, weakened will, and disordered passions. It can be difficult to choose the good because of these effects. We need a renewal of our minds. “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, pleasing, and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) God wants to consume us with His perfect love, to bring us into true freedom. He can enlighten us with His wisdom, strengthen our will through the Holy Spirit, and order our passions correctly.

Finally, He wants to give us rest and freedom, something we can struggle to receive. He wants us to live our true identity as his daughter who is free and delighted in.

Men’s Session – Tim Jara

As men, we carry a question, “Do I have what it takes?” Often, we can base our worth on our performance and the things we are capable of doing. But what happens when that’s taken away? Through a gymnastics accident and the subsequent discovery of multiple back injuries, Tim had to learn what it meant to live without his identity as a gymnast. He explained the importance of truly internalizing the scripture, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.”” (Luke 3:22) Our worth isn’t based on what we can do or how we are labeled, but on how the Father sees us and loves us. Tim said that “If we don’t know the truth about who we are, we’ll buy the lies that hold us back.”

Next, Tim spoke of his first retreat experience, his first time hearing of a God who loves us completely, of reconciliation that offers freedom through His mercy, and of the real presence of Jesus in Eucharistic adoration. He gave the men a list of challenges:

1. Move without motivation.
2. Put down your phone and pray.
3. Consume Jesus in Scripture and in the Eucharist.

Each session ended with the litany of all-consuming love and a time of adoration. God speaks to us in prayer. 

What part of the litany does God want you to focus on?

Watch the men’s and women’s sessions on our livestream.

Conference Theme

Across the country, at nineteen different locations, thousands of teens are gathering at Steubenville Conferences to experience a life-changing encounter with Christ. This year’s theme, Consumed, comes from Deuteronomy 4:24.  In this verse  we hear, “For the Lord, your God, is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” This passage highlights God’s passionate desire for our exclusive devotion.

Ministry Team

• Host: Kris Frank
• Worship Leader: Josh Blakesley
• Team Priest: Fr. Brian Fallon
• Keynote Speaker: Lisa Cotter
• Keynote Speaker: Matt Regitz
• Keynote Speaker: Lauren Wright

Keynote: Consuming the World

The first keynote of the conference was given by Fr. Brian Fallon. He reminded us that we are good. Genesis tell us in Chapter 1, Verse 31, “God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good.” And we are not exempt from this. God looks at us and finds us very good. He cherishes us and holds us close to his heart. As Fr. Fallon said, we can sometimes forget his and then we start to spiral. We go out into the world and all of the things reaching out for our attention draw us in. Instead of seeking our identity in Christ, we seek it from other places. We forget that we are GOOD. Fr. Fallon challenged us to hear Jesus asking us, “Will you receive My love?” and reminded us that the life we’re called to live, the life that will truly bring us happiness, rests in Him. He also reminded us that the Lord speaks to us with conviction and kindness. And when we get discouraged, when we’ve allowed the world to consume us, Fr. Fallon reminded us to turn to the Gospels, the Good News that God gives us through His son. He invites us to put ourselves in the arms of the Father, to allow Him to be proud of us, to be in relationship with God through prayer.

Click here to watch the recorded livestream of this session!