Youth inspired at Steubenville Conference
By RENEE WEBB
Globe associate editor
Posted July 25, 2002

"For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

The theme of this year's High School Youth Conference at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio was Set Free, based on the Scripture verse by Galatians. Once again, the Diocese of Sioux City had a large representation at the conference.

According to Randy Ricklefs, pastoral minister at St. Mary's in Spirit Lake, about 250 youth and chaperones from the Diocese of Sioux City, Des Moines Diocese, Jackson, Neb. and Sioux Falls, S.D. caravanned in six busses for the 25-hour plus trip. Over 2,500 youth from across the country attended the Steubenville conference.

"Not only was the weekend about being set free from the chains of sin that bind us, but about being set free from our own inhibitions that keep us from fully experiencing God's presence," he explained. "When we can let go and let God, we find the freedom to worship, the freedom to allow God to love us, and the freedom to love him and those around us."

Ricklefs said the highlights of the weekend were praise and worship, reconciliation, powerful speakers and Eucharistic adoration "where many come to know Christ's love and mercy for the first time."

"It was totally awesome," said Mary Pometto, a high school sophomore from Boone. "There were great speakers with wonderful messages."

She pointed out that the youth conference helped to enrich her faith because they gathered with so many other teens that had the same belief.

"It strengthens you and helps you to continue on," she said. For this Sacred Heart parishioner confession and adoration were the highlights.

For John Sandy of Spirit Lake, this was his fourth trip to Steubenville.

"I keep going back because that is where I first got in touch with God," he explained. "The conference helps me to get the focus back on God."

Sandy, who will be a senior in high school, noted that the conference has enriched his faith because it helped him understand the true significance of the Eucharist. He explained that it wasn't until his first trip to Steubenville that he realized the Eucharist actually was Jesus.

It was also the fourth trip for Jen Kliegl, of Spirit Lake.

"The Holy Spirit is there - that keeps me going back," she said. "You can tell God is present. It revives me for the year and gets me on my feet."

Her favorite part was the praise and worship along with the Eucharistic adoration.

"It's the most awesome experience," described Kliegl. "Whether people get the gift of laughter or the gift of tears - you could tell it, hear it and feel it."

Michael Tschampl, a 2002 graduate of Heelan High School in Sioux City, made the trip for the third year.

"Every time I go back, I get something new out of it," he said. "It just keeps building - is greater and greater."

He suggested that people make the trip at least twice. On the first trip Tschampl noted that they are taken in and inspired by others and on the second time they have a chance to focus on their individual experiences.

"Once you go that second time, you're hooked," he said. As a whole, the Steubenville conference offers youth "a chance to let loose and feel God's presence."

This was also the third trip to Steubenville for Tony Lazarowicz, a parishioner at St. Joseph Church in Salix.

The high school junior said Steubenville is a time to renew his relationship with God. It is also a time to meet new people, make friends and gather ideas he can bring home to his parish.

He acknowledged that he went into this trip having some problems with friends and at work. With some heavy burdens on his mind, adoration held special meaning for him.

"I prayed a lot and feeling people's hands around me felt like God reaching out and telling me that everything would by okay," said Lazarowicz. "I was able to open to God and he has filled that void that I had in my life."

He found this to be the best Steubenville trip because he no longer worried about making a fool of himself.

Ricklefs said the powerful witnessing on the busses during the return trip capped an incredible weekend.