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(December 13, 2006) Palm Beach Gardens, FL Steubenville Florida
Gives Youth All Access
The
first ever Steubenville Florida Conference themed ALL
ACCESS co-sponsored by the Diocese of Palm Beach and Franciscan
University of Steubenville is set to take place Saturday
March 17, 2007 at Pope John Paul II High School in Boca Raton.
The Steubenville youth conferences have been taking root nationally
and setting youth on fire for God and encouraging a deeper
commitment to Jesus Christ in the sacramental life of the Catholic
Church in a unique and powerful way.
All
Catholic youth are encouraged to turn out for the first event of its
kind in the entire state of Florida. Typically area youth travel to
other regions in the country to attend the increasingly popular
Steubenville conferences. With a standard format that provides a
venue for prayer and worship with a heavy emphasis on teaching and
instruction from mature and youthful witnesses empowered by the Holy
Spirit, the ALL ACCESS day rally has captured the best of the best
from Franciscan University and youth ministry in the United States
for the upcoming March 17th conference that will change lives.
With over a thousand young people expected to turn out, all high
school aged youth and eighth graders are welcome to attend, but they
must be accompanied by an adult chaperone which can be a parish
priest, parent or youth minister. Extensive details related to cost
and registration forms as well as the exciting line up of speakers
and musicians are available at
www.steubenvilleflorida.com or via a link from
www.diocesepb.org.
"March is the first ever conference in the state of Florida,"
noted Kathy Twist who serves as conference coordinator taking on the
project for the diocese after petitioning Bishop Barbarito on behalf
of the Catholic youth of the diocese. "It’s so big, monumental
beyond belief," said Twist. Quoting the late Pope John Paul II, Rev.
John Gallagher, spiritual director for the conference reminded "When
you convert a generation of young people, you convert a continent
for Christ."
The
event is so big, according to Twist and Gallagher, that there are
many volunteer opportunities for adults, parents and the parish
priests to give time in service for a rally that’s expected to draw
youth from multiple dioceses, "We desperately need priests to hear
confessions and come to be a presence for our young people, we need
parents to encourage their children to attend and even join us as
volunteers for the success of the conference, and we need people to
pray." said Twist.
Franciscan University’s John Beaulieu, Director of Youth and Young
Adult Outreach, spent several days in the diocese this past week to
gear up for the ALL ACCESS rally doing site surveys, meeting
with the event team members, joining in prayer, speaking to
benefactors, as well as meeting Most Rev. Gerald M. Barbarito,
Bishop of the five-county Palm Beach Diocese.
"It’s humbling when a bishop says yes to us," said Beaulieu. "It’s a
tremendous mission to speak eternal truths," citing that teens
"program themselves to move on the fly." He added that the secret of
the monumental success of these youth events comes down to one core
element, "When I (Jesus) am raised up, I will draw men unto myself."
With big names like Kelly Pease, one of the most , up and coming
young Catholic worship artists on the horizon and regularly featured
on EWTN, as well as Ennie Hickman, youth minister from St. Timothy’s
in Mesa, AZ (home parish and origin of LifeTeen Ministry) the event
is sure to please.
Most of the renowned speakers and worship leaders are coming to Palm
Beach for the first time, some turning down requests from bigger
dioceses. "I would say that what is in their heart as we come down
here…you have been though a lot," noted Beaulieu. "The Spirit we
want to bring of proclaiming Christ will restore and renew this
generation," he added.
This power packed day rally is a precursor to a standard three day
conference already slated for June 13, 14, 15, 2008 also right here
in the Diocese of Palm Beach with details forthcoming. Beaulieu’
said Franciscan’s commitment to Florida is certain, "As long as
you will have us, we will continue this relationship. It will bless
and touch tens of thousands of kids for decades," said Beaullieu.
"To be part of something that’s bigger than all of us put
together...there’s nothing I’d rather be doing with my life."
For
more information about Steubenville Florida "All Access" on March
17, 2007contact event coordinator Kathy Twist at
steubenvilleflorida@diocesepb.org or at 561-775-9543
"And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to
those who were near; for through him we both have access in one
Spirit to the Father." Ephesians 2:17-18
CDPB
Serving the People of God in the counties of
Indian River • Okeechobee • St. Lucie
• Martin & Palm Beach |
