Hundreds of youth gather for Steubenville Northwest in Spokane
High-school youth pray with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at Steubenville Northwest in Spokane on Jul. 30, 2022. (Inland Catholic Photo/Grant Whitty)
After two years of online conferences and canceled plans, Catholics worldwide have been eager to return to retreats, conferences and other large group experiences. In Spokane, it is no different.
Since 2004, Spokane has been a home for high school youth rallies in the Northwest, with Steubenville Northwest. This year, Spiritus Ministries and the Diocese of Spokane worked together to bring Steubenville back after the pandemic. The event was held Jul. 29-31 at the First Interstate Center for the Arts in downtown Spokane. This year’s theme was Fearless and focused on how to live without fear, trusting that God had a plan.
Over 800 youth came from across Washington state, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and even as far as South Dakota. They heard talks from various speakers including: Mary Bielski, Noelle Garcia, Fr. Christopher Martin and Cooper Ray. Steve Angrisano emceed the weekend, and Jon Niven provided music. Each speaker spoke about the joys/struggles of being a young person, family life, vocation, and living without fear.
The Sacrament of Confession was available throughout the whole weekend. At points, the line wrapped from the middle level of the concert hall down to the lobby. Adoration was offered on Friday and Saturday nights. The Saturday evening adoration was the high point of the weekend, with over two hours of prayer. Attendees experienced the mercy and love of Jesus up close in the Eucharist as he was processed up and down the aisles of the concert hall.
The lobby featured the marketplace where attendees could shop and converse with priests and religious. QuiMinimo, Church Builders, and Kaufer’s Religious Supplies had booths as local vendors. Many religious orders attended and had tables, including Spokane Vocations, The Missionaries of Charity, and The Sisters of Mary, Mother of Priests.
The weekend ended with a closing Mass on Sunday after the final talk. Continue to pray for the young people that they may be able to take their encounters and experiences out into the world.
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