August 1, 2022

More than 1,000 teens attend Steubenville East conference in Springfield

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

 

SPRINGFIELD – At times, it looked and sounded like a rock concert inside the MassMutual Center in Springfield as Andrew Laubacher, also known as ALOB, led praise and worship music. But this was no ordinary concert and it wasn’t a pep rally for Jesus.

More than 1,100 teens from across New England attended the Steubenville East Catholic Youth Conference July 29-31, held for the first time ever in the Diocese of Springfield. The conference included Mass, adoration, inspiring talks, reconciliation, and praise and worship music.

The theme for this year’s conference was “Fearless,” based on what Jesus said in the Gospel of John: “Take courage, I have conquered the world” (John 16:33).

“What a great blessing it was for Steubenville and Life Teen to have the conference here,” said Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne who celebrated the closing Mass Sunday morning. Bishop Byrne was present the entire weekend, along with his dog Zelie. He even participated in a live game show with some of the youth on Saturday.

“The city has been excellent. Mayor Sarno, all the staff here at the MassMutual Center, to have this great blessing of wonderful speakers, to have people come to Springfield, to be a spiritual center and spiritual leader is a great gift to the diocese,” he said.

Two-hundred youth from 15 parishes in the Springfield Diocese attended the conference. Many groups stayed in area hotels. Some local groups commuted.

Steubenville East, an outreach of Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio and hosted by Life Teen youth ministry, is one of several conferences held across the country each summer. It had been canceled for the last two years due to the pandemic. Typically, as many as 3,000 teens attend the conference.

The lineup included Sister Miriam James, of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, as the emcee for the weekend. Renowned Catholic speaker and author Mark Hart also was one of the speakers.

“It’s really good, it’s an excellent experience. I’m glad I came,” said Nomar Lopez, a member of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in Springfield (OLSH). Lopez also helped lead prayers for the St. Therese of Lisieux Novena, which was posted on social media, leading up to the conference.

“It has helped me grow my faith more,” said Lopez. He said even though he was reluctant to attend, he is looking forward to the conference next year.

“This is another opportunity to get closer to Christ and to see that being a Catholic, being a Christian, we also have fun,” said Lopez’ father, Fernando Rodriguez, a chaperone for the group from OLSH.  “How we get closer to God is not always like being in groups and teaching them, there’s also a fun way too. We have to project that side as well.”

More than 50 priests also attended the conference, hearing 1,000 confessions throughout the weekend.

“This is an incredible opportunity to be here. Last night we had adoration, and it was so profound to have adoration inside the MassMutual Center. And I pray that Jesus would come and fill this city with his love and radiance and be present here,” said Joseph Austin, the director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Springfield.

Inside the MassMutual Center, games were set up for teens during downtime. Many groups were able to play corn hole, street hockey, and basketball. Some youth groups were teaching others how to swing dance.

Before almost every event, the band got the teens up on their feet, with many of them dancing in front of the stage.

“I think it helps people get a lot more excited and involved. People are dancing and clapping you have the beach balls going up and around. I feel like when there’s more energy, there’s more focus and the messages can sink in deeper,” said Emma Arendt, who attended the conference with St. Cecilia’s Youth Group from Wilbraham.

“For me it means a chance to really connect with the Lord and get closer to him, but also a chance to get closer with my peers, especially the ones I don’t see as often, but also peers I don’t know, but believe in the same things,” she said.

A video version of this story will be featured on the Aug. 6 edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 on WWLP-22NEWS.