Thousands gather for Catholic youth conference

Jul 17, 2014

STEUBENVILLE: As the first night of Steubenville on the Bayou ended Friday (June 27), a double-rainbow hovered above the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Centre.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux’s ninth-annual Steubenville on the Bayou Catholic Youth Conference drew thousands of teenagers from such states as Illinois, Texas, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama, with chaperones, to listen to speakers and partake in worship, music and praise sessions.

The theme for the conference that ran through Sunday, June 29 is God is ...

“Being in the role that I’m in, God is love. God loves these kids and wants the kids to know that. That’s what this is about. They need to know they’re loved,” said local conference coordinator Shawn Lapeyrouse.

Kassandra Kupchow, 17, came with a group from Portulaca, Texas.

“God is, God is my superhero,” she said.

Dressed in lime green shirts, the group was screaming and dancing during Friday night’s concert, featuring Christian rock band More Than Sunday.

Garrett Vogt, 18, with a group from the Diocese of Houma- Thibodaux, is attending the conference for the fifth time.

“God is faithful. We can count on God to always be there, I rely on Him, and He’s always there for me,” he said.

Daniel Leita, 15, from Portulaca, said he loves the theme for this year’s conference.

“God doesn’t have just one reason. It means something different for each and every one of us. We all have a reason for Him,” he said.

Speakers that weekend included the Rev. Leo Patalinghug, Ennie Hickman, Paul George, Sarah Swafford, Sister Miriam Heidland, Bishop Shelton Fabre and Bishop Emeritus Sam Jacobs.

Patalinghug said he tailored his address to the theme.The theme “gives us all a chance to try and reflect on what is our relationship with God, what do we think of God, where do we get our information from and, more importantly, how can we improve our knowledge of God because you know when you love somebody you can love — them better,” he said.

The conference comprised of a series of religious services, youth entertainment and seminars meant to reinforce the teachings of the Church. For example, separate meetings for young men and women were held to discuss virtue and chastity.

Houma hosts one of 20 Catholic youth conferences throughout North America, co-sponsored by Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.

Combined, the conferences draw about 38,000 participants each year, event officials said. The conference focuses on high school age teens. The youngest are traditionally entering ninth grade and the oldest graduated in May.

The conference began in the 1970s at Franciscan University’s campus in Steubenville. Off-campus conferences were added in the mid-’90s.

Many participants attend the annual Catholic conference as a way to strengthen their relationship with God.

Tiffany Galloway, 16, of Portulaca, said she had signed up to attend the conference for each of the past two years but couldn’t make it.

“It’s cool for all of these people to come together and celebrate Our Lord,” she said.

Jennifer Doiron, 15, from Houma, compared the conference to a mini-vacation.

“It’s a great religious experience to find God in the most amazing way ever,” she said. “You’re away from all of the distractions of the world.” --Daily Comet