The first Saturday of September occurs over the Labor Day Weekend.
The second Saturday of September the Diocesan Men's Conference is taking place.
Therefore we will not have a September meeting and encourage everyone to attend the Men's Conference - Details and registration info are below.
Hope to see you there!
2016 Catholic Men's Conference
Saturday, September 10, 2016 8:45 AM - 5:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Double Tree Hotel
50 Kingsmill Road
Williamsburg, Virginia 23185
United States
Map and Directions
Registration Opens at 8:45 AM
Opening Session begins at 9:30 AM
Mass begins at 4 PM
The Center for Marriage, Family, and Life is gearing up for the 5th Annual Catholic Men's Conference in the Diocese of Richmond. All men 18 and older are invited to attend this one-day conference as an opportunity to dig deeper into the faith, meet other Catholic men, and take home some practical guidance for living a holy life as father, brother, son, and friend. This year we will again feature a dual-track conference with separate conferences for English and Spanish speakers. Both tracks will have an opportunity for breakout sessions. Conference attendees will come together for Mass, Reconciliation, and lunch.
Theme
The conference theme, "Fully Alive," plays on Jesus' invitation throughout the Gospel to an abundant life. As a man, husband, father, brother, and friend how is Jesus calling you to be more fully alive. Above all else, our culture values the freedom to pursue our own happiness, to choose whatever lifestyle, relationship, or path we think will make us the most happy. The invitation of Jesus is to consider this: our freedom exists so that we can give ourselves away. The paradox of the Christian life is that when we empty ourselves, follow Jesus, and participate in His life we become fully alive.
Man desires to be fully alive: to be loved deeply, to be called to greatness, and to accomplish the unthinkable. These desires can only be fulfilled in Christ. It is Jesus who offers eternal life. It is Jesus who defines perfection. It is Jesus who is Love Incarnate. This is what prompted Saint Augustine when he said, “to fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek Him the greatest adventure; to find Him, the greatest human achievement.” As Jesus asked the young man in Matthew 19, he is asking you to become fully alive, “Come, follow me.”
Keynote Speakers (English)
Sean Forrest began his ministry as a full-time youth minister at St. James parish in Stratford, Connecticut. In January of 2000, Sean founded Movin’ With The Spirit, Inc. (MWTS), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to boldly proclaiming God’s eternal Truth and love. Since then, he has had the opportunity to speak to hundreds of thousands of teens and adults across the country and internationally. He is a regular keynote speaker at Steubenville youth conferences across the country, and is often a headliner at the Soulfest Christian music festival in Gunstock, N.H. Sean has been challenging men at diocesan men’s conferences throughout the country to live their faith and lead others to Christ. Building on his organization’s work in the U.S., Sean has also mobilized a team to help the poor of Haiti. MWTS Haiti180 (haiti180.com) constructed and operates a lively orphanage and state-of-the-art school, and has been housing, feeding, and caring for children and villagers in desperate need of support. Sean Lives in Connecticut with his wife and three children.
Father Damian Ference is a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland. He serves at Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe, Ohio as Director of Human Formation and Assistant Professor of Philosophy. Father Ference was ordained for the diocese of Cleveland in 2003. In 2009 he earned his licentiate in philosophy from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Ference has been part of the formation faculty at Borromeo Seminary since 2009. In addition to writing for Word on Fire, Father Ference has published articles in a wide variety of periodicals, including America, Catholic Universe Bulletin, Commonweal,Dappled Things, Emmanuel, FirstThings.com, Homiletic and Pastoral Review, Human Development, Pastoral Life, Seminary Journal, The Plain Dealer, The Priest, U.S. Catholic and Worship. Ference also regularly preaches retreats and parish missions. He is the founder and director of TOLLE LEGE Summer Institute and is a lifetime member of the Flannery O’Connor Society.
Keynote Speakers (Spanish)
Carlos Taja nació en Bogotá, Colombia. El y su familia se establecieron en Miami, Florida donde conoció a su esposa de familia Cubana. Carlos trabaja para la Conferencia Episcopal de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos en el Secretariado de Evangelización y Catequesis. Su trabajo con los obispos es de asesor para la catequesis y evangelización en los EE.UU. Después de completar sus títulos en filosofía y teología, Carlos se ingresó en la Universidad Católica de América en Washington, DC y está terminando su disertación doctoral en teología. Carlos tiene más de 10 años de experiencia como profesor de teología y filosofía al nivel secundario y universitario, igual que ministerio pastoral universitario, de escuela secundaria y de ministerios parroquiales.
Additional Features
Additionally, at the conference there will be several priests available for confession. We will celebrate the vigil Mass together. There will be an expanded expo area featuring different vendors, ministries, and resources to bring back to your homes and your parishes.
Registration Cost
Registration includes admission to the event, continental breakfast, and lunch. The $40 registration is available now through midnight on August 31, 2016. Registration after that date will be available at the door for $50. The conference is free for all priests and religious brothers.
Permanent Deacons who register before midnight on August 31, 2016 will receive admission to the conference for only $30.
PLEASE NOTE: Cancellations for any reason that are received after August 31, 2016 cannot be refunded.