Catholic family conference opens on weekend

Jul 11, 2005 / 22:00 pm

In an effort to strengthen family life and society through the Catholic faith, a number of organizations have collaborated to organize the first Northeast Catholic Family Conference, July 17-18, at Stonehill College, Easton, Mass.

The theme of the weekend is Making the Faith Visible: Embraced by the Father; Taught by the Son; and Filled by the Spirit.

About 2,000 Catholics from Massachusetts and New England are expected to participate. The conference will feature prayer, workshops and celebration. There will also be a "Kids' Camp" initiating young people in Eucharistic adoration and fun workshops on the faith.

The lives of various holy men and women will be presented as a way of teaching how to make the faith visible. They include: St. Gianna Beretta Molla; Blessed James Alberione; Blessed Teresa of Calcutta; Servant of God Fr. Patrick Peyton, CSC; and Servant of God Fr. Michael McGivney.

Topics for the adult workshops include: Theology of the Body; successful parenting; the role of grandparents and extended family; evangelizing through the rosary; raising Catholic children in a secular age; and family and media.

Speakers include Archbishop Sean O'Malley of Boston, Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus; Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB, CEO of Salt + Light Catholic Television in Canada; Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, superior of the Sisters of Life; Fr. John Phalen, CSC, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries; Sr. Julia Mary Darrenkamp of the Daughters of St. Paul, and Andy Flathers of Proud2bCatholic.

The family package costs $95. For prices for individuals and for more information, go to www.NECatholicFamilyConference.com or e-mail info@necatholicfamilyconference.com.

The event is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Holy Cross Family Ministries, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Daughters of St. Paul and the Archdiocese of Boston.