Steubenville, Ohio, Jun 28, 2004 / 22:00 pm
School’s out and Catholic summer youth conferences are heating up. More than a dozen regional camps have been organized and the young people are coming out to grow in their faith.
About 750 high school students gathered at Saint Martin's College in Lacey, Washington, last weekend for the Northwest Catholic youth conference, sponsored by the Franciscan University of Steubenville.
The conferences, held throughout the United States under the theme “Rise Up”, are aimed at putting fire in Catholic youth. Teens are encouraged to live out their faith and are reminded of God's love. They listen to motivational speakers, attend mass, pray, sing and hang out with other Catholic teens.
The conferences started 30 years ago in Steubenville, Ohio. About 30,000 youth are expected to attend the Steubenville conferences this summer.