By Marnie McAllister, Record Editor
Curtis Martin, the founder and chief executive officer of FOCUS, a ministry to college students, will be the keynote speaker at the Archdiocese of Louisville’s 5th annual Catholic Men’s Conference March 5. He’ll address the conference on the day’s theme, “Made for
More.”
The theme of the conference is also the title of Martin’s book, which will be given away to conference attendees who register in advance.
The annual conference, which will be held again at St. Michael Church, 3705 Stone Lakes Drive, is set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. this year and organizers expect to see another large crowd. Last year’s event drew nearly 800 men and boys for a day of worship, learning and inspiration.
“I hope to have as many people there as need to be there and want to be there,” said David Such, one of the conference organizers. “We expect 700 to 800, but numbers don’t matter to me if we get one person who
then goes out and evangelizes. If we can get 600 to 700 men together and 60 of them — or all of them — to do something in the community, think of the change we can make.”
The theme of the conference, “Made for More,” is explained in Martin’s book: “If you find your true purpose, you’ll discover that you really are ‘made for more’ than what our culture has to offer,” the book says. “You need to go beyond the distractions of the world and be open to discovering your true potential.”
This is the message Martin also tries to spread at college campuses through the FOCUS ministry. FOCUS stands for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students.
Martin, a father of nine, holds a master’s degree in theology and co-hosts the EWTN TV show Crossing the Goal. In 2004, Martin and his wife, Michaelann, were awarded the Benemerenti Medal by Pope John Paul II for their outstanding service to the church. In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Martin as a Consulter to the Pontifical Council of the New Evangelization.
In addition to Martin, the conference will include workshops and a closing liturgy celebrated by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz.
The conference organizers aim to attract more young men this year, said Such, noting that since it began in 2012, the attendees’ median age ranged from 35 to 60.
“The younger crowd is a demographic we’re hoping to attract,” he said. “We will give your money back if you don’t feel better when you walk away.”
Such said organizers are also hoping to find new leaders to join the core team that plans conferences.
“We need people to help keep it fresh and make it better,” he said. “I think those are the things that keep conferences alive and keep people interested.”
Organizers will hold a “Champions’ Gathering” at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 4 at St. Michael’s Griner Center (the school cafeteria). It’s open to those who would like to champion the conference at their parish. Champions will receive packets of information to share at their parishes. The gathering, which will include cake and coffee, is free and no registration is required.
The cost to attend the conference is $30 for adults, if you register in advance. The cost at the door is $35. The cost for students is $15.
To register, visit cmclouisville.net, where you can sign up or download a registration form. Space is limited to the first 800 registrants. Scholarships are available by request.
