I had the privilege of attending the Steubenville Joliet conference, hosted by Partnership for Youth at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois. Walking into a space filled with 1,600 students, chaperones, and parents from over 25 dioceses, the energy was undeniable. It was a powerful reminder of the vibrancy of our Catholic youth.

Between our booth, which featured a basketball hoop, plenty of music, and laughter, and the inspiring presence of religious sisters and brothers surrounding the students, it was clear that the attendees were on fire and excited to encounter their faith in a new way.

The true power of "Faith Forward" shines brightest when students, parents, youth ministers, and church leaders are gathered together in the same space.

Often, students remain unaware of the supportive Catholic networks available on campus unless someone takes the initiative to start the conversation. It only takes a few minutes to share your own college journey, explain why having Catholic friends mattered to you, or describe how connecting to a faith community could change a student's life. That short interaction might be exactly what a student remembers when they finally arrive on campus.

One of the most moving conversations at the conference was with Kirstin, a mom of three college-aged daughters who has watched firsthand what it looks like when a student finds their faith community on campus. Her oldest daughter chose a small Catholic college specifically for the faith component, getting involved in campus ministry and pro-life activities, and finding friends who are "on fire for the faith."

Her second daughter went the state school route and found her home through a Newman Center, getting plugged into "faith activities, mission trips, and things like that" — living out her faith, Kirstin says, "at an even higher level than she was at home."

Kirstin traced her own passion for this back to her own college years. She remembers going to Mass every Sunday, but feeling unsure, "Should I get more involved? Should I back off?" It wasn’t until her roommate invited her to a retreat, which became, in her words, "the life-changing thing," that set Kirstin on a deeper path of faith. Now, she says, she's grateful "to be able to pass it on to my own kids."

That personal experience shapes how Kirstin talks to other parents, too. She's noticed that "a lot of parents don't wanna push their kids," worried about coming on too strong — but her take is that "sometimes the kids want the parents to kinda help guide them."

As she put it, "someone needs to encourage them" to take that next step in their faith before they're out the door. Here are some parent resources to help with this.

That's exactly why she's such a believer in the Faith Forward movement's mission. Students, she says, "just really need that extra welcome" before they even leave home — the reassurance that "someone will be there welcoming them, helping them go in the right direction in a totally new environment."

Because, as Kirstin knows from her own daughters' experience, having "that group of people who will help them make good decisions once they're outside your doors is really critical."

Interacting with so many students at our booth about campus ministry highlighted a vital truth: countless graduates don’t know that vibrant Catholic communities are waiting to welcome them. Powerful testimonies like Kirstin’s reveal just how much a meaningful conversation with a high school senior before graduation can truly make a difference.

We need all faithful Catholics to lead the Faith Forward movement by inviting others. Join and support the Faith Forward movement today.