Chika Anyanwu admits that she was a bit rebellious as a teen. She once tried to skip school and got busted by her mom. She also once tried to steal a friend’s bracelet–and ended up getting injured and needing an ambulance ride in the process. But, through all of this, even in her most embarrassing times, she was in the sight of Jesus. She was not forgotten by Him. He remained near to her.

Continue reading

If Sarah Swafford could leave you with just a few points to remember from Steubenville Week One, it would be these: what happened this weekend was real, and you belong here in the Catholic Church.

Continue reading

Sr. Josephine Garrett anchored Day 2 as the keynote speaker tonight at Steubenville-Mid America. Her message was a call to resist the culture’s attempt to erase God from our memory. She centered most of her message around the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. Blending understanding of scripture with stories and examples of how Jesus’ message still resounds today, Sr. Josephine challenged us to rise up against the, “subtle authoring of [our] lives” that is prevalent in our world. As the culture fights for prominence, Jesus wants to, “lay waste to every false God” in our lives.

Continue reading

Growing up, Sarah Swafford was great at playing the part. She was the validatorian, involved in all the extra-curriculars, and had the popular boyfriend. Even amidst all of this, Sarah was left with bitterness and emptiness. She was only able to find her true path in life when she turned to the Lord.

Continue reading

The definition of masculinity is debated in our society. Men’s keynote speaker DJ Bernal reminded the young men present this weekend that their identity is in Christ and Christ alone.  Discussing a world in which the meaning of being a man can be confusing and difficult, DJ reminded us that through the grace of Baptism we have what it takes, because God has called us by name.

Continue reading