We kicked off Saturday with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. As we prepared our hearts before the celebration, our Host Ennie Hickman reminded us that the Eucharist is the Source and Summit of our faith. We were taught that worship is a response to what we value. We want to worship the Lord with the praise and adoration that is due to only Him.

Continue reading

As we do each conference, the weekend began with our volunteers gathering for Mass. In his homily, Bishop Rice centered everyone on the divine love we find in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He considers the 1st Friday devotion a reminder to return to the heart of Jesus.

Continue reading

The Steubenville Mid-America 2022 conference concluded with Sunday Mass. This is our greatest form of worship and a fitting way to end this weekend together. We were blessed, not only to have so many priests with us, but also to have three Bishops present to concelebrate the Mass. Main celebrant, Archbishop Mitchell Rozanksi of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, was joined by current Bishop Edward Rice, and retired Bishop John Leibrecht, both from the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

Continue reading

This morning’s Holy Mass, celebrated by Fr. Chris Martin, honored Mary: Our Lady of Mount Carmel. We are truly grateful for the 50+ priests who joined Fr. Martin, as well as the Carmelite religious sisters who have a special devotion to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

The Homily

Like Mary, we need to be courageous and fearless in the face of the challenges in our lives and world, as Fr. Martin reminded us. When you get to the heart of every problem, the ultimate answer is Jesus Christ – the One who created us so that we may have life and have it to the full. In Mary, we have the perfect model of ultimate trust in God’s plan and love for her.

Continue reading

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.

Continue reading