STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—More than 650 Catholics from across the United States and Canada gathered at Franciscan University of Steubenville June 12-14 for the Power and Purpose Conference, a weekend dedicated to helping participants rediscover the power of the Holy Spirit and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Through daily Mass, eucharistic adoration, confession, prayer ministry, worship, fellowship, and inspiring presentations, attendees were invited to encounter God in new ways and open their hearts more fully to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

The conference featured Franciscan University President Father Dave Pivonka, TOR; Franciscan University Vice President for Franciscan Life Father Jonathan St. André, TOR; Abiding Together podcast host and co-founder of Life Restoration Ministries Heather Khym;  director of Young Adult Discipleship for Renewal Ministries Rachel Herbeck; vice president of Growth and Marketing for the National Eucharistic Congress Kris Frank; and music and ministry leader John Paul Von Arx. The presenters  reflected on themes of spiritual thirst, life in the Spirit, discipleship, healing, and the Father’s love throughout the weekend.

Father Pivonka challenged attendees to recognize the deep longing that exists within every human heart and the invitation Christ offers to satisfy it.

“Every human heart has this insatiable hunger and thirst,” Father Pivonka said. “The Lord has afflicted you with hunger. He’s afflicted you with thirst. It’s not a weakness. It’s not a brokenness. It’s the way we’ve been created because it invites us to come back to him.”

For Jennifer Hard of Mississauga, Ontario, that invitation became an opportunity to step away from the distractions of daily life and refocus on what matters most. Attending with what she described as her “spiritual friends and family” from Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, she called the weekend “refreshing.”

“It was a really good opportunity to reflect on my relationship with Jesus and how he is moving in my life,” she said.

Throughout the conference, speakers returned repeatedly to the truth that God desires a personal relationship with each person and continues to draw his people closer to himself.

“God intended for you and me to be in deep relationship with him,” Khym told attendees. “He’s not just any father or just a father. He’s your Father. Yours. Mine. This is personal.”

That message resonated deeply with Gretchen Boyea of Akron, Ohio.

“Being here has made me think about how to get closer to God and to use his grace to flow through me, instead of keeping it to myself,” she said.

The theme of spiritual renewal continued as Rachel Herbeck reflected on Christ’s promise of living water.

“Jesus’ vision for you is that you will carry the source,” Herbeck said, reminding attendees that Christ’s promise of living water has already been fulfilled through the gift of the Holy Spirit received in baptism.

Early survey results also indicate a 90 percent satisfaction rate among attendees, with many describing experiences of spiritual renewal, healing, and a deeper awareness of God’s presence.

For Jan Niewola of Williamsburg, Virginia, those words described precisely what she experienced during the weekend.

Fighting back tears, Niewola said, “It’s been wonderful. A very spiritual experience for me. I feel like I’m flowing with living water.”

Beyond the conference sessions, participants spent time in eucharistic adoration, received the sacrament of reconciliation, prayed with ministry teams, and formed friendships with fellow Catholics seeking to grow in faith.

John Paul Von Arx, who helped lead worship throughout the weekend and also spoke on prayer, encouraged attendees to enter more deeply into worship and their relationship with the Lord. Reflecting on the Church’s understanding of prayer, he reminded participants, “The Church invites us to be fully conscious and actively participate.”

That invitation found a response in many attendees, including Christina Parks of New Castle, Wyoming, who returned for her second Power and Purpose Conference after a transformative experience last year.

Inspired by her time on campus, she enrolled in Franciscan University’s online master’s degree program.

“I walk away from this conference with great spiritual growth,” Parks said, describing the experience as “amazing.”

Maria Palmer first attended a conference at Franciscan University three years ago after being invited by a friend on her 50th birthday. Since then, she has returned regularly for conferences and Mass on campus.

“This conference has been a reminder to me that Christ is present within me through all my trials,” Palmer said.

Power and Purpose was the second major event of Franciscan University’s 2026 summer conference season. In the weeks ahead, thousands more Catholics will travel to Steubenville for the Priests, Deacons, Seminarians Retreat, St. John Bosco Conference, Applied Biblical Studies Conference, Defending the Faith Conference, and the University’s nationally recognized Steubenville Youth Conferences.

This summer also marks the 50th anniversary of the Steubenville Youth Conferences, one of the most influential Catholic youth evangelization ministries in North America. More than 43,000 teens are expected to participate in 19 conferences across the United States and Canada during the 2026 season.

For more information or to register, visit the Steubenville Conference website.