DEKALB—The 26th annual Great Lakes Catholic Men’s Conference drew a crowd of over 500 men who gathered at Northern Illinois University’s Holmes Student Center for a day of speakers, fellowship and prayer. 

 

Conference organizers said the event drew participants not only from the Diocese of Rockford, but also from Iowa, Indiana and the Diocese of Joliet.  The day-long event featured speakers Matt Birk, Rev. Larry Richards, Karlo Broussard and Kevin O’Brien.  Wayne P. Messmer served as the Master of Ceremonies and the conference concluded with a Mass celebrated by Bishop David Malloy.

 

“Today’s conference is a great opportunity for men to hear some really dynamic speakers and spend a day focused on your faith.  I think attending helped to reenergize my Catholic faith,” said Harry Pommier of Holy Cross Parish in Batavia.  “I also think it’s important to have that fellowship with other men.”

 

Phil Meyers of St. Bernadette Parish in Rockford said that the conference helps him continue to live a life of integrity in faith.  “It’s very difficult in our current culture to raise and keep our families connected to the Catholic faith.  I continue to pray that my grandchildren keep their Catholic faith as an integral part of their lives.”

 

“The biggest concept I learned from attending the conference is realizing my job as a husband, as a father and as a son of God,” said Marvin Booker of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Aurora. “God has to come first in my life; if I don’t realize who I am as His son, then I can’t be a great husband or father.  Everything comes from knowing that I am a son of God.  I belong to Him and serving other people in my life just falls into place if I keep God first.”

 

Ben Deutsch of St. Patrick Parish in St. Charles said going to the men’s conference reinforces the magnitude of family and faith.  

 

“Being committed to your family is really significant in your faith journey as a man.  The demands on men and fathers which pull them away from their families is extremely high, and I think the conference offers men a chance to refocus on their priorities,” he said.