CatholicTV's Bishop Reed to speak at men's conference

Auxiliary Bishop Robert Reed of the Archdiocese of Boston will speak at the 20th Anniversary Worcester Diocesan Catholic Men’s Conference, scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at Assumption College. The well-known local television personality will offer a talk that will precede the offering of confessions at the conference, “O God, Just Give Me One More Chance.”
“The bishop is a speaker all the participants will really look forward to hearing, especially since he is so well known through his Catholic television programs,” said Angelo Guadagno, co-chairman of the event.
Bishop Reed has long entertained a keen interest in the full use of television and new media for an engaging and truthful sharing of Catholic faith and life. He prepared for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome and is president of The CatholicTV Network.
He holds an advanced degree in television management from Boston University’s College of Communication. He began directing CatholicTV in 2005 and has collaborated in the rebranding and expansion of the network along with the build-out of a new HD broadcast and production facility. The CatholicTV Network, available in more than 13.5 million homes, also boasts of a robust website with a 24-hour live stream and thousands of television episodes available for viewing on-demand and embedding via CatholicTV.com.
In addition to regularly celebrating the network’s Masses he hosts the game show ”WOW: The CatholicTV Challenge,” the reality series “House+Home,” the interview series ”Inter Nos,” and several ”Blink” segments. He is a regular co-host of CatholicTV’s signature talk series ”This is the Day.”
He is the author of “Renewed: Ten Ways to Rediscover the Saints,” “Embrace Your Gifts,” and “Revive Your Catholic Faith” and its companion television series “‘RENEWED.”
Also presenting are theologian and author Scott Hahn and Luis Soto, director of Hispanic content and business development at the Augustine Institute.
Professor Hahn will offer two talks at the conference. His morning conference is titled, “The Road to Emmaus: The Path to Lifelong Conversion.” His afternoon program will be “The Power of the Sacraments.”
Mr. Soto will present “Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of the Americas in English and in Spanish.
Singers and composers Ryan and Elizabeth Tremblay will lead the music throughout the day.
The conference’s speaking program and lunch will take place in Assumption’s Plourde Center. Registration and 70 exhibitions will be in the Laska Gym.
Many diocesan and religious priests will participate again this year by hearing confessions at mid-day. The sacrament of reconciliation has become a conference staple.      
Bishop McManus will be the principal celebrant and homilist for the Conference Mass at 4 p.m.
Through March 11 ticket prices for adult men are $45. On March 12 they increase to $60. Ticket prices for students are $30 prior to the conference and at the door.      
Tickets can be purchased online on the conference website at www.firstmensconf.org; by sending a check to Catholic Men’s Conference, 49 Elm St., Worcester, MA 01609; by contacting parish contact persons; or by calling Joan DeMasi at 508-929-4345.
    
“We are absolutely delighted to offer another outstanding conference this year,” Guadagno added.  “Thousands of men have been so loyal to the conference that we want to have an excellent array of speakers for it.  The men won’t be disappointed.”
“In addition to reaching out to men of all ages a special effort is being made to invite teens and young adults and there is a concerted effort in our parishes and Catholic high schools to attract students to the conference,” he said.