Feature
June
16
Steubenville Returns to the Bayou
by Mary Downer
Steubenville on the Bayou returns to Houma this weekend to host the annual youth conference. Almost 3,000 Catholic teens are expected to attend the conference June 17-19 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.
Steubenville was founded in 1976 at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. As the conference began to grow, the need for off-campus conferences became apparent. Bishop Sam Jacobs of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux spoke at the conference in Ohio and suggested they expand to the South.
Steubenville South was founded in 1995 in Alexandria, La., where Jacobs was located. Soon, this new location had also reached its maximum attendance. After Jacobs was named bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, he suggested bringing the conference to Houma.
According to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, there are 18 off-campus sites that host a Steubenville youth conference. These conferences annually draw around 40,000 high-school youths.
“In 2002, as a youth minister, I took my first group of seven teens to Steubenville,” said Shawn Lapeyrouse, assistant conference coordinator. “I saw firsthand the impact the conference had on our youth. The next year, I took 30 teens and the following year 60. I was invited to be in the group discussing bringing Steubenville here. I knew there were so many more teens that wanted to go. To be able to offer the conference here is a Godsend. The conference feeds the youth and empowers our volunteers. We can see other ministries began to flourish!”
“As therefore you received Christ Jesus
the Lord, so live in him, ROOTED and built up
in him and established in the faith, just as
you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
— Colossians 2:6-7
Rooted is this year’s theme, which echoes the church’s theme for World Youth Day.
“To authentically live the abundant life that God calls us to, it is very important to remain ‘rooted and built up in Him’ as a daily journey of receiving God’s truth,” according to the Franciscan University Youth Conferences website. “The image of roots denotes strength, stability, and growth.”
Guest speakers throughout the weekend include Steve Angrisano, Jackie Francois, Chris Padgett, the Rev. Leo Patalinghug, Deacon Ralph Poyo and Bishop Sam Jacobs.
Pre-registration is required; no attendees will be accepted at the door. If you are interested in attending, please contact your local church or call the diocese at 985-850-3171.
