HARTFORD—Award-winning journalist and best-selling author Raymond Arroyo of EWTN News will be the keynote speaker at the 10th annual Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference on October 21.
The day-long program, which will be held at St. Paul Catholic High School in Bristol, will also include presentations by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Tim Staples, director of apologetics and evangelization at Catholic Answers, Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR, one of the original eight founders of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, and James Wahlberg, executive director of the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, which he founded with his brother, actor Mark Wahlberg. Musician and evangelist Marty Rotella will serve as master of ceremonies.
Arroyo, who is managing editor and lead anchor for EWTN News and The World Over Live, is seen in more than 350 million homes on six continents each week and heard on more than 500 AM/FM affiliates and a stand-alone Sirius channel.
Before joining EWTN as founding editorial director, he worked for the Associated Press, The New York Observer and the political columnist team of Evans and Novak. Five of his adult books, including his biography of Mother Angelica, were all New York Times bestsellers. His Will Wilder series for young readers is a multi-book collection, and Will Wilder: The Lost Staff of Wonders was published in March by Random House.
Bishop Caggiano, who will deliver the opening talk and the homily at the closing Vigil Mass, said, “I’m looking forward to participating for the first time in the Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference, and I hope that many men throughout our diocese join me for this day of renewal and spiritual enrichment. The conference calls all men to witness Christ as husband, fathers, and individuals. It is also a celebration of fellowship and community as men from all walks of life and backgrounds come together to deepen their faith and explore their roles as men in family life and the Church.”
Fr. James M. Sullivan, chaplain of the conference, said the event will offer spiritual enrichment for men of all ages. Throughout the day, there will be opportunities for Eucharistic adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation.
Fr. Sullivan, who has attended the conference since it began as a participant and a presenter, said it offers men valuable information and tools they can use to become better role models in their families and in society.
“People look to spiritual men and I’m always reminded of my own father,” he said. “I had a faithful father and I admired him greatly. I wanted to be like him and what was most important to him was his faith. I wanted the same thing for myself from an early age. Children want to see God reflected in their father.”
Research shows the importance of strong faith in family life; however, one of the challenges men face today is the increase in noise and distraction in society. “The noise of the world is keeping us away from time that should be spent with God,” he said. “God speaks to us in silence.”
Fr. Sullivan added, “I can’t stress enough the importance of men having a strong relationship with Christ because when you have that, everything else falls into place in your family, in the workplace and in your personal relationships.”
Ken Santopietro, director of the conference, said this year’s theme is a celebration of the Apostolate of the Laity, taken from Acts 1:8, “You will be my witnesses.” He has been a faithful attendee “ever since the first conference when Fr. Larry Richards challenged us to be men and to choose to do just one thing in the coming months to increase our spirituality.” What did he choose? He volunteered as a catechist and signed up to participate in an hour of Eucharistic adoration; the following year he volunteered to help with the conference, and this is his fifth year as director.
What are his hopes for men who attend the conference? “To share the experiences of going to confession if it has been awhile,” he said, “listening to the best homily you ever heard on Catholicism by a professional speaker, and finding the one way that it connects with your spirit and brings you home a better man.”
For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.ctcatholicmen.org or call 860.484.7950. To contact the conference directly, email ctcatholicmensconference@gmail.com or call 860.484.7950.
