What was your favorite part of the weekend and what will you take home with you?

v  The best part of this weekend was the great peace I experienced during Adoration. When I return home I hope to continue living my life with a newer sense of joy. It’s easy for me to succumb to feelings of sadness over tough situations, but now I intend to meet them with joyful knowledge that experiences, no matter if they seem happy or sad at the time, are all part of God’s glorious plan for me.

v  I really enjoyed the talks and Adoration! Jackie’s talk was very entertaining and inspiring. I hope I will take what she said to help spread the faith through my school, even if it is subtle like smiling more often or wearing Christian tee shirts. Also, Adoration really helped to open my mind and heart and let Jesus in. I’m leaving with joy and Jesus in my heart!

I definitely opened up this weekend. I finally let go of all the things that were bugging me and I forgave people that I thought I would hate forever! LOL. I absolutely love Adoration. It was so amazing, I wish that it was always like that. Father John mentioned that if you find Mass boring, then you are boring.
And I was starting to think Mass was boring, but the Masses that we had  definitely changed my mind for good, because I realized the true meaning of them.

I come out of this retreat with an open heart to God (I’ve never been able to open up as I have opened up this weekend). I have never felt so happy and my soul has never been as clear as it is now. I am definitely a better person and I’m happy that Mrs. Ryba convinced me to go to this retreat!

v  This year Steubenville East was, yet again, a wonderful experience. The biggest impact on me during this youth conference was the workshop about Mary. I never really understood why we honor her so much, but after the workshop was over, I knew so much more. Mary means so much more to me now, and I feel that I can get so much deeper in my faith through her!

The part of Steubenville East I enjoyed the most this year were the homilies. Father John did a great job capturing the assembly by taking current day topics and connecting it to the theme of the year “the Word became  flesh”. Hopefully I will be able to apply the lessons I learned to everyday life.

v  So I definitely enjoyed the drummer and his antics (although he doesn’t like ribs). Anyway, I enjoyed Father John’s rap, Adoration, and a lot of the talks. One thing I’m bringing back with me is a bag of pretzels and food for my soul. Steubenville East impacted me by helping me to refocus my life in Christ, to seek first the Kingdom of God. It was great to see the youth meet Christ in the Eucharist and through hearing the truth. I pray that these experiences will lead to life long changes and relationships with Jesus.

v  As always, I left Steubie East with a rekindled spirit. Witnessing the youth on fire and excited about their faith gives me hope that the Church will remain strong and alive, even in difficult and tempting times.

The talk by Jackie Francois about Evangelization spoke loudly to me. ”There’s no such thing as a sad, mopey saint. Preaching negativity will not inspire and evangelize others. A simple smile and joyful heart can win souls for God.” She reminded us of the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”

My hope is that God will give me the grace to bring this joy to others through my example and not necessarily by preaching.

v  Steubenville East this year was, yet again, an amazing     experience. In my previous experience, Adoration was a time of opening my heart to let in the Lord, but this year I could tell that Jesus was already inside of me. To continue my journey with the Lord, I opened my ears.

During Adoration I felt He was telling me to now serve Him through being an example to peers and friends. He understood I had accepted Him into my heart and now it was my turn to pass on His message. Inspired by the words of Jackie Francois,

I learned not to be afraid to be an example to others, for “you may be the only Gospel that person may ever read!”