Ariana didn’t know why God would let her grandpa die. He was her rock, teaching her the ways of the Catholic faith and bringing joy to her heart. Grandpa taught her how to say her prayers. He introduced her to Novenas. Grandpa gave Ariana’s life light. Now, everything felt dark.
Her parents always talked about how God was always there, watching over all His children. But she didn’t feel God anywhere. Since Grandpa had passed away, she stopped praying out loud. It was too painful a reminder he was gone. Ariana’s parents encouraged her to give Steubenville a try. Ariana finally agreed.
As Ariana looked around the dim arena, she felt anxious. Suddenly, colorful lights shimmered throughout the stadium. Music played. Thousands of high schoolers jumped around. Then, Ariana began to cry. She couldn’t understand why, but she felt immense joy. Ariana turned around. She saw the priest walk in, lifting Jesus in the monstrance. The gold surrounding Jesus sparkled in the lights. In that moment, everything changed. She found peace. Ariana found Jesus again.
“I felt so safe in the arms of God. It felt like He was giving me this big hug, a hug no one could ever give me but him. That was the happiest I’ve ever felt, I repented and gave my life to God. I couldn’t stop crying even after we were done with Adoration. I suddenly was on fire for God. I wish everyone can feel what I felt at least once in their life,” shared Ariana from St. Therese Parish in Appleton.
Because of your gift to the Raising Vocations Collection, young people like Ariana can attend the Steubenville Youth Conferences, to worship Jesus in Adoration, encounter Him in the Eucharist, and grow in faith alongside their peers. This opportunity exposes high school students to a vocation that is possible for them.
“I now realize that God’s plan is so much greater than what we have planned for us. I’ve made so many forever friends in Steubenville. I’ve never had this many people who I can go talk to about God and share how amazing He is. I now go to every retreat that comes my way, I pray every morning and after school in our school chapel, and I let God lead my way. Because of my encounters with God, I can now pray out loud again and I feel so loved,” explained Ariana.
Through your gifts to the Raising Vocations Collection, you are helping more young people like Ariana discover Jesus and hear God’s call. Thanks to the generosity of thousands of people, more than 500 high school students from the Diocese of Green Bay were able to attend the Steubenville Youth Conference.
“Thanks to the support of the Raising Vocations Collection, I have seen firsthand the impact the Steubenville Youth Conference has had on our high schoolers. We have more and more young men and women discerning vocations to the priesthood and religious life each year we go, and I see many signs that this the number will continue to rise. No matter the vocation God calls our young people to, one thing will be the same: more students are discovering Jesus and asking Him to lead their lives. Your gifts are making this possible,” said Andy Pethan, Catechism & Youth Coordinator for St. Therese Parish.
Help more high schoolers like Ariana encounter Jesus, and make your gift to the Raising Vocations Collection today.