Thousands of Teens Gather at Steubenville West Conference in Tucson

By Carissa Krautscheid

Over 1,500 Catholic teens from across the Southwest gathered in Tucson for the annual Steubenville West Conference. This summer alone, 22 such Catholic youth conferences took place across North America, in what had the potential to be life changing for nearly 50,000 American teens. From July 15-17, teens and their youth ministers gathered at the Tucson Convention Center for Steubenville West, hosted by Life Teen.

This year’s theme was Fearless, based on John 16:33, “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” The weekend included a series of talks by prominent Catholic speakers, praise and worship music, small group sessions, lively games, Eucharistic Adoration, Mass, and Reconciliation.

“The Steubenville West Conference was a powerful spiritual experience that was greatly centered on the Eucharist and filled with prayer,” said Maricela Flores, youth minister at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. “This experience has been helpful both for my teens and for their families because the teens were given an opportunity to find themselves in their faith, discover a deeper relationship with Christ and, overall, reinforce their faith in just three days.”

Parishes across the Diocese of Tucson sent groups of teens to join the thousands from across Arizona and other Southwestern states. Teens who attended the conference with Saint Thomas the Apostle shared their experiences.

The sheer number of young people gathered at Steubenville West was inspiring to attendees. “It blew me away how many young people, students, and peers my age are part of the faith,” said Roman. “They all wanted to be there. It absolutely shook me. It made me feel like I was part of something bigger – it was not just me and a couple of friends; it was a big deal – a very big deal. It made me shake a bit. I hadn’t realized how much the faith meant to everyone.”



“It was amazing gathering with teens from across the southwest,” said Michael. “As we walked through the conference, there was a sense of community and joy even around people I had never met before. Steubenville West offered me an opportunity to grow in my relationship with the Lord and dive deeper into my faith. This was my fourth (in person) time attending this conference and, every time, I have left with a renewed vigor to share my faith with others.”

Other teens came to this conference anxious and uncertain about what to expect. “At first, it was nerve racking,” said Roman. “I’d never done something like this before, but it was suggested to me by my high school theology teacher. I felt very different leaving – it was a life changing experience.”

Roman was new to the St. Thomas group, having come from a different parish. “I was welcomed,” he said. “They were as serious about and devoted to the Catholic faith as I was. There wasn’t a popularity contest with them. We were all friends despite age, experiences, or schools, because we could all relate to one thing: we are part of this faith and we’re fully committed to it. They get it.”


Even if teens were hesitant at the beginning, by the end of the conference, Maricela “could see that each of the teens had been transformed. A spark of the Holy Spirit was easily visible within every one of them.”

A particular highlight of the conference was Adoration, which took place both nights. “I have a great belief that Adoration is an essential part for a retreat for youth,” said Maricela. “How do we expect our teens to grow in a relationship with Christ without providing them a face-to-face encounter with our Lord?” In addition to moving music, personal prayer, and witnessing thousands of teens praising the Lord, Adoration includes a Eucharistic Procession around the conference room. Jesus draws near to those gathered. For many, it is their first personal encounter with Christ in the Eucharist and for others, Adoration reaffirms their relationship with Jesus.

“I wish every teen could experience it!” said Elina. “I’ve learned so much about myself and the Catholic faith through Steubenville. This conference not only helps you to connect with others in the faith, but it’s amazing to feel the Holy Spirit and the love for Christ in so many people. It is honestly unreal. When everyone was passionately singing and loving the Lord, I got goosebumps. It is so incredible to just be around so many people praising and worshipping God right beside you.”

Other favorite moments included the series of talks surrounding the theme, Fearless: Created Fearless, Hidden Wounds, Fearless God, and Living Fearlessly given by Arizona locals, Jason Evert and Father Fernando Camou, as well as Noelle Garcia, Chris Padgett, and Joel Stepanek. They were able to “speak to the teens in a friendly and relatable method that provides them the ability to grasp a further understanding and appreciation for the Catholic faith,” said Maricela.

Teens split up into men’s and women’s sessions for talks on being Fearless Women and Men Without Fear. Voluntary workshops covered familial topics: The Family of God and My Messy Family. These were a favorite of Roman’s. “I really sat down and actively listened,” he said. “I learned something from them and both talks were very insightful. They addressed matters that everyone my age struggles with.”

“Some spiritual takeaways from the weekend were to be fearless,” said Elina, “to stand up for yourself and others, to respect each other, but mostly to just love Christ. Some insights I will take away are to always live life without fear and to live in the moment.”

Roman will remember that “God will always stand with me,” he said. “God will always welcome me back. No matter how many times I fall or fail, he will always love me. I can always open up to him about my issues and struggles. If I know I’ve sinned, I can attend Reconciliation and speak with God through prayer – go to him for guidance and try again. He’s always caring and looking out for us. He wants to bless us and protect us. He asks us to ask for blessings.”

Michael “garnered a renewed fire for leading others closer to the Lord and sharing my faith with anyone who would listen. I will remember the tips and advice the speakers relayed in their talks. They offered real life experiences and stories that stick with you, so that when you are faced with challenges in the future, you can call to mind their battle plans and strategies for a journey toward sainthood.”

As the teens return to their routines at home and prepare for a new school year, they will have renewed strength to pursue their faith fearlessly, speaking truth with love and courage.

“I’m certainly going to be praying more often,” said Roman. “Since Steubenville, I’ve already started praying daily. I hope to attend Reconciliation more often, every week or so.”

“Since Covid,” said Elina, “it's been hard for me to get back into Life Teen at my parish, and this experience really helped me to become more familiar and inspired by the parish and the teens.”

Michael would highly recommend the Steubenville West Conference to parents, teens, youth ministers, andparish leaders. “It is an amazing opportunity to grow in your faith and become a leader when you return to your parishes, schools, and homes.”

“Throughout the conference,” observed Maricela, “there was so much spiritual healing done. It is my belief that teens need to feel secure, loved, and connected to Christ. It is this spiritual healing that aided all the teens who participated. The teens truly became ‘Fearless’ in this spiritual encounter with Christ.”

These teens offer a brilliant example for their peers and people of all ages to seek out and develop vibrant faith communities, live your Catholic faith fearlessly, and rely always on the mercy and grace of God.