This is Pete. We aren’t positive, but we think this is his 40th Steubenville conference. He’s here this weekend as an audio tech, which is his usual role, but he has been group leader, band member, and even a teen in past years. Here’s what he had to say when we talked to him after sound check.
How do you spend your time outside of Steuby? I’m a husband, father, guitar maker, owner of Driftwood Music, and the Music Minister at Assumption Parish in South County.
What is your favorite part of the weekend? The Men’s Session, because Christ transformed me as a young man. My community in high school and the good men in my life have helped transform me into the man I am now.
Do you have any advice for the youth to keep the spirit of Steuby year round? If there’s a speaker or message that sticks out, follow that person on social media or check out their podcast if they have one. Fr. Mike Schmitz, who was here last week, is someone I first encountered at a Steubenville conference, and following him on social media helps me continue to grow throughout the year.
Do you have a funny or favorite story from Steuby years past? One year, I was struggling with what vocation God might be calling me to. As I was kneeling and praying, I looked down and noticed something shiny in the carpet. I picked it up, and it looked like a tiny little diamond. When I got back to St. Louis, I took it to a jeweler who confirmed that it was a real diamond. Four years later, I put it in my wife’s wedding band.
Are there any fun facts about yourself that you would like to share with our readers? The Buncher Guitar ‘Church Model’ that I build is designed specifically for worship. The headstocks include hearts and a lily to represent the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Joseph. Each guitar is made with 12 braces to represent the 12 tribe of Israel and the 12 apostles. There are other custom options with more significance, too.
(In the photo on this post, Pete is holding Kyle Huelsing’s guitar. – It’s a Buncher guitar!)
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