Worcester Catholic Men’s Conference to be held tomorrow

The theme for the 23rd annual Worcester Catholic Men’s Conference is “You Shall Know the Lord” and that is what the slate of speakers intends to impart on the men who attend tomorrow at the DCU Center in Worcester.

From Jim Wahlberg’s true life story of redemption and reversion (“The Big Hustle”), to Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers’ two original talks (“Like a Fire Burning in My Bones” & “Living a Eucharistic Life”) to Xaverian High School headmaster Michael Nicholson (“Ordinary Holiness”) and Msgr. Thomas J. Sullivan’s reconciliation talk (“Ready for Reconciliation”), “this year’s conference has something for everyone, and will definitely be a day very well spent,” said conference Planning Committee member Shawn Shields.
“With the conference returning to the beautiful, professional DCU Center this year, we have addressed the sound, lighting and space issues that we’ve experienced in the past, listening to the input that the men have given over the years” Mr. Shields noted.

The day will feature the opportunity for men to pray the rosary together at 8 a.m., spend time before the Blessed Sacrament in the all-day adoration chapel, offer their confession to one of the dozens of priests who will be present during the lunch break (the program book includes instructions for receiving the sacrament of reconciliation including an Examination of Conscience and the Act of Contrition, to make it easier for men to avail themselves of this sacrament.)

There will also be approximately 50 vendors. The day will conclude with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Mc-Manus at 4 p.m.

Adult tickets are $60 and student tickets are $30. All tickets include lunch and can be purchased online at catholicmenworc.com or at the door.
“We truly hope that men from the diocese and beyond will continue their support of this incredible day as our future success hinges on our current success,” Mr. Shields said. “Our plan is to take this conference to the next level - to make this a recognized, major regional conference – which it’s already starting to become with the support we are receiving from the Boston, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts areas. We look forward to bringing 1,000 men to Christ this year!”

One of the speakers, Michael Nicholson, is the principal of Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood. Prior to that he served in many roles at St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury including as a teacher, coach and campus minister. He ultimately became the assistant principal for student life. He and his wife, Mandy, have three children and he is said to be “the spiritual father of many more.”

– The biographies of the other three speakers can be found in the most recent past editions of The Catholic Free Press.