Steubenville
Last summer, four of our youth group members attended a Steubenville conference in Missouri.
The four participants: Kristin, Victoria, Vanessa, and Maria, at Silver
Dollar City.
We left on a Thursday with the other Region 3 members (Ada, Madill, and Sulfur also sent participants) on a charter bus from Ada. On the bus, we had snacks and slept, as we left Ardmore at 4 in the morning to catch the bus.
The same day we arrived in Branson, where we got a chance to go to Silver Dollar City. Silver Dollar City is interesting in that it has a glass blower, woodworkers, roller coasters, water rides, and a tour of Mavel Cave all in the same theme park.
Our Youth members on the Silver Dollar City train.
Later the same day, the group unloaded the bus at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Springfield, Missouri where they spent the night on the gym floor.
Early in the morning, the group attended mass, held by Father Rusty, in the chapel. Later the same day, the group arrived at Missouri State University. They sign in, are given badges, and once more unpack the bus, this time to stay in the dormitories. Every room at the University had a bunk bed, two bureaus, two desks, and two chairs. Boys were in one building, the girls in another.
They attended an evening service with a band in the huge University auditorium. Confessions were held every day, as were masses and workshops. The group ate at Plaster Student Union, ordered pizza from the campus Dominos, listened to engaging speakers, and were invited to strengthen their faith.
The group very tired on Saturday afternoon, sitting up in the mezzanine.
The group's view of the mass held by a bishop and several priests. They
were led in hymns by the band on the left and sang the lyrics shown on
the projector screens.
Victoria said this about the experience: "Steubenville was an amazingly powerful experience. It completely changed my perspective on our faith. Also, it was wonderful to see hundreds of other teenagers just as much changed as I was."
The trip costs about $400 dollars per person to attend. The money we spent on this trip, however, was well worth it. Hopefully, this summer more youth members will be able to experience this powerful trip.
For more information, click on this link: http://www.franciscanyouth.com/FAQs/