Christie K. Hunter "IT was an excellent trip! I'd definitely do it again!'' exclaimed Vanessa De Silva, 14, when asked about her recent trip to Steubenville, Ohio, with the Bermudian Catholic Teen Crew.

On Thursday, July 16th, 67 members of the Youth Group and 20 adult chaperones left Bermuda. Their destination was the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, where they would participate in a three-day youth conference with over 2,000 other teens. The title of the Youth Conference was "Out of the Jungle-and Into Life in the Holy Spirit''. On the Youth Group's journey to and from the conference they spent Thursday, Sunday, and Monday nights at the Gilmary Retreat Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The first night spent at the retreat centre allowed the teens to rest after their journey and get prepared for the conference the next day. It also gave the group some personal time to interact with their Bermudian peers and chaperones. The chapel at the retreat centre allowed the group to participate in group and personal prayer. Pool and gym facilities were available for relaxation time before the conference.

A short bus ride took the Bermudian youth group to the Franciscan University, in Steubenville, Ohio. Here the group met six other Bermudian teens who had left three days earlier, to be part of the conference's Work Crew. Now with the work crew there was a total of 87 Bermudian participants. Being on the Work Crew let the six teens experience the conference in a different way than the others. The Work Crew carried bags, put on skits, did dances and helped and participated in the conference in numerous other ways.

HE campus of the Franciscan university accommodated 2,600 teens attending the conference. This was the 23rd year that the Franciscan University of Steubenville had been hosting the youth conference and the University said they were deeply committed to "training young people to serve as leaders in the Church and our world today''.

The teens came from all over the United States and Canada as well as from Bermuda. The boys' sleeping area was the gym while the girls slept in the dorms. All the sessions took place under a huge white tent on the campus grounds and confession took place in the university's chapel.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were days devoted to prayer, singing and hearing various speakers. The prayer was not only private personal prayer but 2,600 teens all praying together. There was more singing and dancing than silent prayer and the singing was another way for the teens to communicate with God.

Thousands of teens received the Eucharist together. All through the three days the teens felt deeply moved and affected by the experience.

There were also many speakers that attended the conference. They talked to the teens about drugs, Jubilee 2,000, chastity, finding the Holy Spirit and other issues concerning the youth.

After three days participating in the conference at The Franciscan University the Bermudians returned back to the Gilmary Retreat Center. Here the group took part in more prayer and relaxation time. They also had some sharing time to express how the conference had changed their lives. The group came away from the experience with a feeling of shared values and a commitment to pursue them and help one another stick to their promises.

N the Monday the Youth Group went to a mall and Kennywood Amusement Park. This gave them a break after three days devoted to prayer and gave them a chance to interact with other members of the Youth Group in a more relaxed and a different atmosphere.

On Tuesday, July 21, the Catholic Teen Crew returned to Bermuda while some teens were selected to assist the Youth Minister Michael Manhardt in another Youth Conference in Denver, Colorado.

After their return the teens shared their feelings about their experience.

These included: "This was the most fulfilling trip spiritually and emotionally. It has made me closer to my friends and family.'' -- Jennifer Roberts, 14 years.

"The trip opened my eyes to God's unending love and graciousness.'' -- Chris Carreiro, 16 years.

HIS was my second year attending this conference and I feel rejuvenated and full of the spirit! Jesus Christ yesterday, today, and FOREVER!!!!'' -- Tina Lima, 18 years.

The chaperones who accompanied the teens to the conference also had many things to say about their experience. Some of their feelings were: "This entire weekend proved beyond doubt that Christ Jesus wants to and is empowering the Youth to be a `Light to All Nations' by His special gift to us His LOVE. Jesus did not leave us alone, he left us his comforter the Holy Spirit. Yes the youth are the church of today and the hope of the future.'' -- Jose Cabral.

"The bond that all these Bermudian teens share is so special -- never at any moment when someone needed someone there, were they alone.

simple touch on the arm was all it took to know they were not alone -- There is true love there.'' -- Lori Davis.

The Catholic Teen Crew currently meets on Thursdays from 7:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. for Youth Group and on Tuesdays from 7:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. for Bible Studies, at St. Theresa's Hall. Youth Mass is held on Sunday in St. Theresa's Cathedral at 7:00 p.m. For more information call 292-LIFE. Interested teens are encouraged to come along.

Written by: Christie K. Hunter, 13 years. Member of Catholic Teen Crew and participant in Steubenville, Ohio, trip.

FULL OF SPIRIT -- Members of the Bermudian Catholic Teen Crew are pictured above at Kennywood Amusement Park. Back row (left to right): Stephen Botelho, Lindsay Davis, Hayley Faries, Somer Fasulo, Centre: Julia Richens. Front: Christie Hunger. Pictured right are the 87 Bermudians who took part in the Youth Conference on the campus grounds of the Franciscan University in Ohio.