Ken Santopietro has directed the Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference for 12 years, and he says it’s a “spiritual booster shot every guys needs.” This year more than ever.
The 17th Annual Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference, which will bring together men from across the state, will be held on September 21 at Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford and have nationally known speakers talk on the theme of the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell.”
Santopietro said the panel will include Fr. Wade L.J. Menezes, CPM, author and homilist; Steve Ray, Catholic apologist and bestselling author; Kevin Wells, writer and former sports reporter, and Peter Herbeck, Executive Vice President of Renewal Ministries and TV/radio host.
“The guys are really going to like the theme a lot and practicing Catholics I know say it is a topic you can sink your mind into,” he said. “Every speaker will have something meaningful to say about it, and each has explored the topic in some way. This is a topic that will keep you focused on the ultimate purpose of life.”
He said the conference offers a wonderful opportunity for men to gather “to share a day of faithful teaching, deep fellowship, and spiritual revival, as we accept our call to become the faithful Catholic men God has called us to be.”
In addition to the speakers, there will be an opening procession with first class relics of 24 saints, which will remain on the stage throughout the event, “serving as a powerful reminder of the saints’ understanding of Christ’s presence in the last four things,” he said. He also encouraged people who have apostolates to inquire about having an exhibit or table.
The conference, which begins at 8:30 and concludes with a Vigil Mass celebrated by Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne of the Archdiocese of Hartford, will also feature a Eucharistic procession, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, exhibitors and fellowship. Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. Men come from all three dioceses in the state, and there are many attendees from parishes in the Diocese of Bridgeport, including St. Edward the Confessor in New Fairfield, St. Rose of Lima in Newtown, St. Joseph in Shelton and St. Mary in Ridgefield.
Tickets are $45 for adults and $30 for teenagers 13 to 19. For more information and to obtain tickets, visit (www.ctcatholicmen.org)
“This event is a one-day spiritual journey that brings Catholic men from across our state together to reflect, pray and find strength and inner peace,” said Deacon Rick Lawlor of St. Mary Parish in Ridgefield, who is a member of the leadership committee. “It is perhaps the single best day of the year for a Catholic man to focus on his life and spiritual health and ultimately makes each of us stronger and better men.”
Santopietro said he is always encouraging men to come for the spiritual uplift and the fellowship. “I encourage men to bring someone with them to share and gain a little support,” he said. “Whatever guys can do for each other to offer support is so important at this time.”
Aaron Joseph, the Conference co-director since 2016, said the event gives men an opportunity to rest and reflect, pray together, network and enjoy fellowship.
“We all need to be reminded that how we live has ramifications that are both short-term and long-term,” he said. “In the short-term, our actions can affect others, leading them toward God or away from God, by inspiring our brethren to become more loving or less loving. They can also affect us the same way….It is easy to forget this, as we trudge through life, with all its distractions and temptations, especially today.”
The speakers will be:
Father Wade L.J. Menezes, CPM, who has served as the Assistant General and as the Director of Vocations and Director of Seminarians for the Fathers of Mercy. He has written for many Catholic publications and appeared on EWTN as a guest and program host, and spoken on a number of Catholic radio programs. He is author of “The Four Last Things: A Catechetical Guide to Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell” and “Overcoming the Evil Within: The Reality of Sin and the Transforming Power of God’s Grace and Mercy.”
Steve Ray is a convert to the Catholic Church and best-selling author of “Crossing the Tiber,” “Upon this Rock,” and “St. John’s Gospel: A Bible Study and Commentary,” among others. He is writer, producer, and host of the 10-part video/DVD series “The Footprints of God: the Story of Salvation from Abraham to Augustine.” He has been featured on Catholic Answers, Ave Maria Radio, Relevant Radio and EWTN.
Kevin Wells is a Catholic writer, speaker, and former sports reporter with the Tampa Tribune, where he covered major-league baseball. He is the author of the best-selling Catholic book, “The Priests We Need to Save the Church” and “Burst, A Story of God’s Grace When Life Falls Apart.” He is currently the president of the Monsignor Thomas Wells Society for Vocations.
Peter Herbeck is the Executive Vice President and Director of Missions for Renewal Ministries, co-host of the weekly television show “The Choices We Face,” and host of the daily radio show, “Fire on Earth,” His works include “When the Spirit Comes in Power” and “When the Spirit Speaks.” He and his wife Debbie have co-authored the book, “Lessons from the School of Love: Cultivating a Christ-Centered Marriage.”
By Joe Pisani
Catholic Transcript
