Annual men’s conference expected to draw hundreds

By Glenn Rutherford, Record Editor Emeritus

There is still plenty of time to register for the fourth annual Archdiocese of Louisville Catholic Men’s Conference — more than a month to go until the event takes place March 21.

And as the run-up to this year’s event continues, leaders such as David Such of St. Bernadette Church, have every reason for optimism. The 2014 event drew a near-capacity crowd of 800. This year, Such said in a recent telephone interview, the conference organizers are hoping that 1,000 men will fill St. Michael Church at 3705 Stone Lakes Drive in Jeffersontown.

“We had our ‘Captain’s Dinner’ (for conference leaders in local parishes) on Jan. 26,” Such noted, adding that  representatives of 20 parishes attended the preparatory event.

The need for the conference hasn’t diminished over the years, Such and other leaders have noted in recent months.

“Pope Francis has asked people the world over to ‘Become the Light,’ and that’s the theme of this year’s conference,” he noted. “Right now people need some sign of hope, and we’re talking about people all over the world, from the Archdiocese of Louisville to the Middle East, just everywhere.

“This conference gives the men of the archdiocese — and some men who are coming from out of state — an opportunity to grow in their faith,” Such said. “And as Pope Francis has asked us to do, that opportunity for growth will allow us to go out and shine the light of our faith and to increase our discipleship. We can be examples that will help bring more people to God.”

Men can register for the conference at cmclouisville.net or by calling Linda McLemore at the Flaget Center at 448-8581.

Registration at the March 21 event will begin at 6 a.m. This year the conference also will offer a pancake breakfast during the pre-conference registration period.

The conference will begin at 8 a.m. and this year’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Jonathan J. Reyes, executive director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development for the U.S. Conference of Bishops.

Those attending can choose from five “breakout sessions” to attend before the conference’s noon Mass.

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz will preside at the liturgy, and after the Mass, a pizza lunch will be offered.

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