Steubenville, Ohio, Jun 15, 2008 / 15:08 pm
"We speak of hearts being broken, of being torn. The depth of your heart is complete intimacy. God gives us the depth of his heart (by) allowing it to be hurt. That is the depth of his love,” said Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, at the opening Mass of the Young Adults Conference, held at Franciscan University of Steubenville, May 31-June 1. "He has chosen you to be here and shows his heart so that you can see it. You can view and know his heart."
According to a press release from the university, the conference drew hundred of young adults from all over the U.S., and also from Canada and England. The participants attended with the hope of receiving “spiritual renewal and strength as they work and live in a culture they often find themselves at odds with.”
The theme of this conference, “C4 and the New Evangelization" focused on the importance of a transformation of one’s life to Christ. C4 refers to the “four C’s” needed to transform one's life in Christ: Conversion, Catechesis, Community, and Commissioning. The young adults were also challenged to “open themselves to receive God's love into their hearts throughout the weekend and make a personal commitment of love.”
The conference was a necessary spiritual refresher for many of its attendees. Andrew Craven, a high-school teacher in Newark, New Jersey, said, "It’s good to come and recharge my faith. I need this; it helps me in all different aspects of my life."