The 3rd annual Boston Catholic Men’s Conference is coming up on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day and the feast of the Archdiocese of Boston’s patron saint. The 2nd annual Boston Catholic Women’s Conference in on March 18, the next day.
These are lay-run events, and while given the blessing of the cardinal are independent of the archdiocese, both financially and in planning. What that means is that this is an authentic grassroots expression of orthodox Catholic faith and fervor, which is very heartening. After only three years, the Men’s Conference is the largest one-day Catholic men’s event in the country, and I believe the Women’s Conference is the largest women’s event. We’re expecting more than 5,000 attendees at each even event this year, probably many more.
Among the speakers for the men’s conference are Cardinal Peter Turkson, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson of the Knights of Columbus, Patrick Madrid, Martin Doman, and brothers Scot and Father Roger Landry. For the women’s conference, they are Johnette Benkovic, Dana Scallon, Immaculee Ilibagiza, and Sister Linda Koontz. Cardinal Sean O’Malley will be the celebrant and homilist at Mass both days.
This year, they’re also handing out Catholic of the Year awards in 5 categories: Priest of the Year, Layman of the Year, Deacon or Religious Man of the Year, Laywomen of the Year, and Religious Woman of the Year. The link is to a Boston Pilot article explaining the awards and the rationale behind them.
Scot Landry, co-coordinator of the conferences said, “One of the things our team is hoping the nomination process will solve is the criticism that ‘You hear so many negative things about the Catholic Church.’ This is hopefully a way to bring to light some of the good being done.”
“We hope to salute people who have helped renew the Church at this difficult time,” he added.
Incidentally, I’m on the leadership team planning the conferences this year.
You can buy your tickets for the event at the links up above and already there are people from all over, not just Boston or even New England, who are coming.
