WISCONSIN DELLS — The 2021 Men of Christ Conference in the Diocese of Madison will be held Saturday, Nov. 13, at St. Cecilia Parish, 603 Oak St. in Wisconsin Dells.
In celebration of the “Year of St. Joseph,” this year’s conference theme is “Go to Joseph.” Fathers and sons are encouraged to attend.
Registration and vendors’ booths will open at 7:30 a.m.
Confessions will start at 7:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day.
Opening Mass with Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison will be held at 8 a.m. The program begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 4:15 p.m.
The vision of the Madison Men of Christ is to create an environment that will evangelize, catechize, and unify Catholic men.
Their mission is to honor our Lord Jesus Christ by bringing Catholic men together, thereby forming a brotherhood that will empower each man to boldly live his Catholic faith.
Event speakers
This year’s speakers include Bishop Hying; Fr. Donald Calloway, a member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and the author of Consecration to St. Joseph; and Steve Karlen, director of North American Outreach for 40 Days for Life, and author of the stirring pro-life book, This is When We Begin to Fight.
In addition, Fr. Eric Nielsen from St. Paul’s University Catholic Center in Madison will lead a powerful father/son blessing.
Fr. Greg Ihm, diocesan vocations director, will lead an “altar call.”
Father Calloway, could give St. Augustine a run for his money, in terms of dramatic conversion stories.
He discusses his radical transformation from atheist, drug-addicted high school dropout to Catholic priest in his presentation.
It’s even more relevant as he shifts to his most recent book on St. Joseph.
In the midst of crisis, confusion, and a world at war with the Church, he shares why it’s time to come home again to our spiritual father, St. Joseph.
In his book, outlining the process of consecration to St. Joseph, Father Calloway, brings to life the wonders, the power, and the ceaseless love of St. Joseph, universal patron of the Church and the terror of demons.
Karlen has a story that shows the power of initiative and engaging in the pro-life struggle.
He has always been pro-life, but, like many people, he never really did anything about it.
All of that changed when his wife found out that a friend was pregnant and planning to have an abortion.
The couple offered to support this friend through her pregnancy and beyond. Initially, she made a life decision for her baby but later had the abortion.
Karlen knew then that it wasn’t enough for him to be pro-life; he had to do something about it.
Shortly after getting involved in his community’s 40 Days for Life campaign, Karlen found himself at the center of a nationwide controversy.
The health system at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was secretly preparing to open a late-term abortion center on campus, and groups across the state looked to him for leadership.
Karlen responded immediately, working through the media and holding peaceful prayer rallies to try to stop the late-term abortion center from opening.
Just days before the hospital’s board of directors voted on whether to proceed with the late-term abortion plan, Karlen brought thousands of people to campus on a freezing cold January day to prayerfully stand for life. The vote passed anyway.
Karlen refused to give up. He continued to lead the community in opposing the late-term abortion center, resulting in numerous delays in its opening.
Finally, after nearly a year and a half, the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics abandoned its plan to open an abortion facility. God had used Karlen’s small “yes” to win a huge victory for life.
Building off these stories of common men acting courageously for God, the conference organizers announced their intention, “We will start with Christ and end with Christ as everything we do is for His glory. We will work hard to create bonds between men that will allow them to grow in their Catholic faith and stand together during times of adversity. We will not compromise on the true message of Jesus and His Church. We understand there is a spiritual battle taking place, and are willing to engage in this battle for our families, our faith, and our country. Finally, we are proud to be Catholic, and we feel it is our duty to share this wonderful gift with other men.”
A special gift
Every conference attendee will receive a St. Joseph Strong challenge coin designed by Fr. Richard Heilman with St. Joseph art by Tracy Christianson.
Carry this coin as a constant reminder of your resolve to accept the call to become “St. Joseph Strong!”
The Latin inscription reads: “St. Joseph Most Chaste, Terror of Demons.”
The reverse side has an image of St. Michael the Archangel.
Each challenge coin has been touched to 165 relics, including pieces of the True Cross and the Blessed Virgin Mary’s veil.
To register
Visit the Men of Christ website at https://www.menofchristmadison.com
General registration is $40.
Student registration is $20.
Members of Religious Orders, clergy, and seminarians are free to attend.
Lunch will be provided (sub sandwiches, chips, bottled water, and fruit).