From June 19-21, a group of students from TFS, accompanied by faculty members, traveled to Steubenville, Ohio, to attend the Steubenville Youth Conference, joining nearly 2,000 Catholic teenagers from across the country for 3 days of prayer, worship, fellowship, and spiritual renewal.

Chaperones included Tom Harmon, Ed Manville, Helen Hartel, and Jessie Yonkovit. 7th and 8th grade Religion teacher, Tom Harmon, led the group and exclaimed, “It was an amazing experience- the high point of my teaching career!”

The conference combined dynamic speakers, high-energy praise and worship, daily Mass, Adoration, Reconciliation, and opportunities to grow alongside other young Catholics.

One of the most moving moments came during Adoration. As the priest processed the Eucharist through a packed auditorium, complete silence fell over the crowd. Students dropped to their knees in prayer, and everyone could feel the joy and emotions. When the lights came back on, one TFS student said, “I have never been so happy!”

The weekend was filled with similar moments of authentic faith. One of the speakers was a young woman who completely captivated the audience. Her talk included two lengthy scripture passages concerning David. “I looked over at our students,” shares Mr. Harmon, “and they took out their Bibles to follow the speaker's references. After the talk, the students found a quiet, grassy knoll, and all of them sat in a circle with their Bibles to read more about the passages.” It was amazing that no adult needed to suggest or encourage it; the TFS students spontaneously wanted to learn more.

Later that same night, Ms. Hartel and Ms. Yonkovit checked in on the girls in one of the dorm rooms at lights out. At 11:45 pm, the girls were sitting in a circle with their Bibles open, continuing their discussion. What a beautiful picture of the transformative power of God’s word.

“It was exciting to feel the energy in the auditorium with teens from New York, California, Texas, and several other states,” Mr. Harmon shared. During praise and worship music, the teens danced and praised God with each other.

At the beginning of the conference, a special message was recorded and played in the audience on several large screens. Pope Leo gave a special recorded talk and papal blessing to the Steubenville Youth Conference. An amazing opportunity for our TFS students.

Another example of faith in action: reconciliation was offered in the University chapel. Mr. Harmon offered to walk anyone who wanted to go. More than half of the students waited in the long line for the sacrament of confession. “Not because they were told to go,” shared Mr. Harmon. “They wanted to go, and they were all beaming after receiving forgiveness. It was beautiful.”

One special aspect of this trip was that Father Luke from Cardinal Gibbons High School and Father Francis from St. Mary Magdalene Parish traveled with the group. Additionally, students from Cardinal Gibbons took the trip as well. “The CGHS students went out of their way to include and befriend our students,” says Mr. Harmon. “We are all one family.”

On the morning the group left for Ohio, they began the day with Mass at TFS. Every day after, they participated in Mass at the conference. Having Mass each day and being accompanied by two priests impacted all the students. On the bus ride home, Father Luke asked everyone what their favorite experience was. One of the students shouted, with a big smile on her face, “Adoration!”

When the trip ended, the students all said they would like to attend again next year. Mr. Harmon urges current TFS parents with this message:

“Please have your son or daughter go with us to Franciscan University after they graduate 8th grade. It is a life-changing experience.”