My Writings. My Thoughts.
Steubenville South 2011
// June 26th, 2011 // 2 Comments » // Uncategorized
The annual Steubenville South Catholic Youth Conference was held on June 24-26. Thousands of teens gathered for a powerful weekend of prayer and fellowship. Recordings of all the talks from the weekend will be posted here soon.
Friday Keynote – Rooted in Faith – Chris Stefanick
// June 27th, 2011 // No Comments » // Keynote
Seeds need to break open and extend roots into soil to be anchored and receive nourishment and begin to grow. Yet, to extend our roots means to put one’s trust in God. Everyone is seeking roots/security in something. But only being rooted in faith gives us the solid ground we are longing for. Even when our lives become a stormy sea—we still have solid ground in faith! Faith is our response to revelation. Faith isn’t just about developing religious habits, it’s about relationship. Christianity is not only a matter of just believing He is the foundation and truth, but Christianity is about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Personal relationships take trust and faith. Everything else we seek to root our lives in is only water that can never hold us up.
Matthew 14:22-33
CCC: 397
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Saturday Keynote – Rooted In Love – Tammy Evevard
// June 27th, 2011 // No Comments » // Keynote
Jesus has conquered death, redeemed us, and given us fullness of life through the cross. Through His action on the cross, He shows us how to respond to the crosses in our lives. As we begin to understand Jesus’ love for us on the cross, we are able to understand His love for us which encompasses every human experience, even the hurts and sins of our lives. This all encompassing love calls for a whole life response from us.
John 3:16-17, Romans 6:23, Galatians 2:20
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Workshop – Built Up In Christ (1st time) – Fr. Jose Robles-Sanchez
// June 27th, 2011 // No Comments » // Workshop
God wants to plant the word deep in the soil of our hearts. The seed of His word produces the fruit of righteousness and love in our lives. We must make sure the soil of our heart is pure and well-fertilized so the seed (word) can grow within us. The biggest need is to allow our soil (hearts) to receive the Lord’s love and truth. We must be aware of the barriers in our heart that keep us from growing in intimacy with Christ. Look to Mary as an example of a person whose heart is open to God.
Matthew 13:3-8
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Workshop – Built Up In Christ (returning) – Deacon Ralph Poyo
// June 27th, 2011 // No Comments » // Workshop
God desires that our lives be fruitful. Only through His constant, on-going, living presence in our lives, can we be fruitful. The basis of this life is choosing to become a disciple.
Matthew 13:3-8, John 15:8
CCC: 1832
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Workshop – Built Up In Christ (returning) – Chris Stefanick
// June 27th, 2011 // No Comments » // Workshop
God desires that our lives be fruitful. Only through His constant, on-going, living presence in our lives, can we be fruitful. The basis of this life is choosing to become a disciple.
Matthew 13:3-8, John 15:8
CCC: 1832
Saturday Morning Homily – Fr. Stan Fortuna
// June 27th, 2011 // No Comments » // Homily
Fr. Stan Fortuna kicks off Saturday with the Holy Mass, focusing on cutting the roots of the world that strangle us and in stead rooting ourselves in Christ.
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Sunday Morning Homily – Bishop Ronald Herzog
// June 27th, 2011 // No Comments » // Homily
Bishop Herzog wraps up the weekend with the Holy Mass and encourages the young people to take their faith, rooted in love, back to their homes and communities.
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