If he were a Pokémon, he’d be Snorlax– “You know the one that sleeps all the time?”– the faint aroma of coffee beans makes more sense.

Making the 500-mile pilgrimage to Steubenville Mid-America from the Diocese of Sioux City in Iowa is our next Human of SteubySTL, seminarian Travis Crotty. He’s a four-time attendee of the Steubenville Conference, second-time chaperone. But he’s seasoned for sure: “The first time, I was woken up by a phone call at 1am by a participant that one of his friends was playing PokémonGo outside.” And then we talk a lot about Pokémon and sleep, which naturally leads us to one of Travis’ greatest passions: gourmet coffee. His go-to? Guatamalen pour-over. Continue reading

Dozens of priests distribute Communion to thousands of people during every Steubenville conference weekend. If you’ve ever wondered how that manages to go so smoothly, talk to Father Schumer and Father Sullivan. Both priests spend their conference weekends helping the seminarians to coordinate all of the Masses, Processions, and Confessions.

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Here at Steuby STL, we are blessed to have so many priests and religious with us during the weekend. We would be remiss, however, if we didn’t highlight one of our favorite members of the clergy: Cardboard Pope Francis.

He has been a faithful volunteer at the Steuby Bookstore for years, and while he always intends to help unload merchandise and ring up patron’s purchases, he is far too busy posing for selfies with his adoring flock. Especially his favorites—teenagers.

“I never wanted to be a celebrity, but a cardboard cutout’s got to do, what a cardboard cutout’s got to do.”

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I found Dave G. at the “Packet Pick Up” table during the hustle and bustle of registration. His wife Kyra was just a few feet away, helping groups to check-in and handing out name tags. Dave said this is the 13th year he and his wife have been volunteering as prayer ministers at Steubystl. He’s from Incarnate Word parish in Chesterfield and all four of his kids have attended this conference.

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Meet Bishop Edward Rice

He is the sixth of ten kids. He runs 5 miles a day. He is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. He likes cheering on the St. Louis Blues hockey team.

Meet Bishop Edward Rice.

Anyone meeting this bishop of the Diocese of Springfield – Cape Girardeau for the first time will be struck by how easy it is to talk to him. Bishop Rice truly has the heart of a shepherd. His humility and humor are a magnet for young and old alike. He has a particular heart for the young people of the Church.

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