The Catholic Defender: Marian Conference at Kansas City

St. Thomas More Catholic Parish located at Kansas City Missouri hosted the recent Marian Conference where several hundred parishioners gathered to hear great speakers, attend Mass, pray the Rosary, the Divine Mercy, Confession, great food, and great fellowship.

The Knights of Columbus was present with all their gala that gave a really solid Catholic visual affect.

There were great speakers that came from all over the Country. Father Bill Casey is a nationally renowned speaker and a frequent guest on EWTN. He is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and a 1979 graduate of Temple University. After graduating from college, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army. Upon leaving the Army, he entered the Congregation of the Fathers of Mercy. He studied Philosophy at Christendom College and Theology at Holy Apostles Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in 1991. From 1997-2009, Fr. Casey served as the Superior General of the Congregation.

Father Casey is a dynamic speaker who has great passion mixed with great knowledge. Many were inspired by his talks.

Deacon Ed Wills is a former Protestant minister who entered the Catholic Church in 2000 and will be ordained a Catholic priest in July. He earned his undergraduate degree in theology at Oral Roberts University specializing in Greek and Hebrew, and his graduate degree at the University of Dallas in theology, literature, and philosophy. Deacon Ed is a popular public speaker, retreat leader, and spiritual director. His most recent book, Learning to Listen to God, reviews several prayer modalities with a view of helping individuals synthesize their own approach to prayer. He is also general editor of “The Catholic Bible: New Douay Rheims Version.”

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann was ordained a priest in 1975. He served as the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Coordinator in St. Louis (1984-1995) and became the Bishop for the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas (2005). Archbishop Naumann is Chair of the Kansas Catholic Conference, and currently serves the USCCB as a member of the Administrative Committee, the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Religious Liberty Committee, and the Sub Committee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage. He has been elected to serve as the next Chair of USCCB Pro-Life Committee. Archbishop Naumann also serves on the Board of National Committee for the Human Life Amendment and is the Co-Chair for the Religious Alliance Against Pornography.

Fr. Chris Alar is the Director of the Association of Marian Helpers in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Over the past several years he has been mentored by the world’s leading experts in Divine Mercy, and he has spoken at over 100 parishes to date. Fr. Alar entered the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, the religious community entrusted with spreading the message and devotion of Divine Mercy, as a postulant in July, 2006. Prior to that, he received a BS in industrial engineering and an MBA from the University of Michigan and then worked several years at a Fortune 500 company After answering the Lord’s call, he attended Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, for his philosophy studies and earned his Masters of Divinity from Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut.

Michael Mcglinn Filmmaker & Recording Artist, Founder of Sistine Films: DP, Editor, Writer, Producer, and Original Score work for commercial productions. Clients include Red Cross, University of Notre Dame, KCKS Archdiocese, KCSJ Diocese, Signature Inn, Hampton Inn, Medicine & Education Fields. Founder of Face of Mercy, Multi Instrumentalist (voice, guitar, bass, piano)/Producer, Arranger, and Composer, Speaker for Catholic Athletes For Christ, Notre Dame Offensive Lineman under Coach Lou Holtz/ Played in all four major bowl games in consecutive years; Orange, Sugar, Cotton, and Fiesta. Recorded with legendary musicians from Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine, The Allman Brothers Band, and Genesis.

Tim Francis is founder of You Shall Believe Ministries, an organization whose mission is to make you aware of miracles that are extraordinary, perceptible to the senses, and produced by God in a religious context that you might “believe” and become more intimate with Our Lord, our Lady…Our Holy Mother Church. Tim’s presentations are some of the most talked about at past Marian Conferences and Parish Events, because of the impact on Catholics at all levels of their walk to Holiness and into eternity.

John LaBriola is the founder of the Catholic Family Foundation, an organization committed to healing, strengthening and advancing Catholic families. He is a dynamic speaker who passionately communicates the truth of Catholicism in a loving and accessible manner, without apology, without compromise. John’s goal is to help Catholics of all ages deepen their love and knowledge of the one, true Church. He has appeared on EWTN television & Radio, Focus Worldwide Network television, Relevant Radio and many local Catholic radio networks. Author of several books including Onward Catholic Soldier: Spiritual Warfare According to Scripture, the Church and the Saints and Catholic Truth for Catholic Teens: A Guide to Embracing and Defending Your Faith. He is the former host of St. Joseph Radio Presents, a weekly, worldwide radio program that can be heard over EWTN Radio that helps Catholics spread the truth of the Catholic faith. He has also been a guest host for Catholic Answers Live radio program and a frequent speaker at parish missions, Marian conferences, Homeschool Conferences, Men’s and Women’s conferences and retreats.

The topics that were given was wide range offering great catechism and instruction to those who came to participate in all the events. The Real Presence, Our Most Merciful Gift, Mary and her Echaristic Son, Onward Catholic Soldier, Did St. Thomas More say "yes" like Mary? were just a few of the topics.

Four Last Things, How Can Mary Help? Confidence in God and Divine Mercy, Four simple steps to Evangelize the lost were more talks that kept everyone fully engaged taking notes on all of it.

These Conferences are really great to get people motivated. It is like a great shot in the arm to boost devotions. Since we began doing these Marian Conferences, so much good fruit has been shared as many conversions, healing, reconciliation, growth, and miracles have taken place.

Everyone is given the chance to make a Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Sorrowful & Immaculate Heart of Mary.

C O M M E N T S F R O M 2 0 1 7

“Thank you so much for the opportunity to be a part of the Marian Conference. It was such a beautiful experience. The speakers were wonderful and shared so many rich teachings. I truly feel enriched by this experience.”

“This conference helped reignite my passion for the Rosary. I like how books were referenced. This will give me direction after today has ended. I love my Momma. I enjoyed being in an atmosphere surrounded by her.”

“Excellent speakers, You were very conscious of the time and tried to keep things moving on time. It was free!! Included meals! Thanks”