Written By: Robert Barrilleaux, Jr.
On Friday June 29, a different feeling throughout the city of Houma arrived. Over 3000 teens from throughout the country were flooding into our area for a weekend church conference. Steubenville on the Bayou, one of the many Steubenville conferences across the country, was about to start. The theme of the conference was All Access. Teens and adults accepted this theme by opening their hearts to Christ. The weekends presenter Bob Lesnefsky, otherwise known as Righteous B, lead the crowd with much enthusiasm. Other speakers included: Paul and Gretchen George, Kelly Pease, Fr. Jose Robles-Sanchez, Fr. Dave Pivonka, Kristen Harakal, Charlie Cantrell, and Bishop Sam Jacobs. This weekend was capped off Saturday night with an emotionally moving Adoration, and ended Sunday by Bishop Jacob presiding over mass and issuing final farewells. As Sunday concluded, the groups left Houma heading back to Colorado, Illinois, Texas, etc.
Although the people and some speakers have left our area, the atmosphere and feeling of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodauxs teens have not left. The fire and spunk is alive, and to follow up the experience next week, on July 25, there will be an event held at St. Bernadette Church in Houma. It is not just for Steubenville participants, it will be opened to all. Also, it will be the first of the new series for the continuing Anew meetings for fall 07. If anyone has an interest in these surges in the Christian Faith, consider this an invitation into all access.