Youth pack Spokane performing arts center for Steubenville Conference
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 July 14-16 at downtown Spokane's First Interstate Center for the Arts. This year’s theme was Refuge and focused on how finding refuge in Jesus Christ, especially in the Eucharist, as the United States and the diocese continue through the three years of the National Eucharistic Revival.
Over 900 youth came from across Washington state, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and even as far as Vancouver, British Columbia. They heard talks from various speakers, including Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR; Lisa Cotter; Paul J Kim and Michael ‘Gomer’ Gormley. Dan Harms emceed the weekend, and Ben Walther provided music. On Saturday, men and women broke out into sessions, with Lisa Cotter speaking to the women about being rooted in their identity as beloved daughters of the Father. The men heard from Paul J Kim and talked about everyday struggles for high school young men, the importance of a relationship in prayer with Jesus and the value of authentic friendship with other men.
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. Many religious orders attended and had tables, including Spokane Vocations, The Missionaries of Charity, The Sisters of Mary, Mother of Priests, The Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Church and the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit in Oregon.
The weekend ended with a closing Mass on Sunday with Bishop Daly 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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If you or someone you know had a powerful experience at Steubenville Northwest 2023 and might be interested in sharing their/your story, please email the editor of Inland Catholic in the contact form of this website.
