The Santa Maria del Mar Youth Group traveled to Atlanta, GA to attend the Steubenville Atlanta Youth Conference, July 20-22. The conference was put together by the Franciscan University and Lifeteen. The theme of the conference was "All Access." We have All Access to God. Here's what happened:
   Friday started with dinner (Tacos anyone?) followed by the opening of the conference with lots of praise and worship music led by Matt Maher and his band. Speaker Lisa Epperson gave a talk called "Jesus Christ, Superstar" which was followed by Eucharistic Adoration and Procession accompanied by more music. It was truly an inspiring and awesome sight as the Eucharist passed by each of the 3,000 participants.
   Saturday began early and men and women went to different sessions for the talk called VIP: Value, Integrity, Purity. The ladies listened to Kelly Pease, the men to Charlie Cantrell. Then we gathered together again for more praise and worship music followed by morning Mass.
   Lunch was Chik-fil-A and the afternoon sessions dealt with personal relationships. Kelly Pease then provided some musical entertainment while Youth Ministers and Chaperones met and had Eucharistic Adoration.
   Dinner was barbecue, then more praise and worship music, a great talk from Charlie Cantrell and Eucharistic Adoration.
   There was lots of time for Reconciliation and a chance to chat with each other in small groups.
   Sunday morning featured music and talks from Lisa Epperson and Charlie Cantrell, followed by Mass.
   Then off to the bus for the trip home where we had our own praise and worship singing session!

We thank everyone who donated money to the Youth Group to make this trip possible.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers and we will do the same for you.

"He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father." Ephesians 2:17-18

Picture and reporting by Megan Gallup (July 26, 2007)

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