Returning to the conference for his second year, Father Larry Richards used the title of his book, Be a Man: Becoming the Man God Created You to Be, to encourage those gathered to "live life with the final goal in mind."
"God’s goal is for you and me to go to heaven," he said. "What we do with this little time on Earth determines where we will be forever."
Ordained to the priesthood in 1989 for the Diocese of Erie, Pa., Father Richards serves as Pastor of St. Joseph Church/Bread of Life Community in Erie. He is also the spiritual director of the TEC (To Encounter Christ) Retreat Program for the Diocese of Erie.
Other speakers included Michael Crumbie, who offered a dynamic account of his conversion to Catholicism in 2001 after serving for 23 years as a Protestant minister.
And, talking about the priesthood was Father Sam Kachuba, 26, a recently ordained priest assigned to St. Pius X Parish in Fairfield, who told his audience that "being a priest is the greatest job in the world."
The conference also drew some 25 vendors who displayed information on topics ranging from pro-life activities, vocations, family values and Christian music to retreats, Catholic media, religious communities, and sacred art. Father John Gatzak, director of the Office of Radio and Television, served as moderator for the conference.
"This is wonderful," said Joe Murphy of St. Mary Parish in Ridgefield. "Its beauty is that every message offers something to take home and reflect upon."
Added Connecticut Senator Michael McLachlan, a parishioner at St. Peter Parish in Danbury, "I plan to talk to my pastor about bringing a busload of men next year. This is such a great opportunity for Catholic men to come together in prayer and fellowship to celebrate their faith."
Hartford Auxiliary Bishop Peter A. Rosazza was the principal celebrant of the concluding Mass.
A number of priests who had been available throughout the day to hear confessions and provide spiritual direction concelebrated.
Printed with permission from the Catholic Transcript, newspaper for the Archdiocese of Hartford.
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