This year’s 26th annual Columbus Catholic Men’s Conference is being dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Holy Family. Through their intercession – and conference participants’ personal consecration to them – those attending the event can experience a love and strength like no other and walk with confidence on the path to sainthood.
The conference, with the theme “Called to Be Saints,” will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, with Eucharistic Adoration beginning at 6 a.m., in Kasich Hall of the Ohio Expo Center (state fairgrounds). John Sablan and Deacon Charlie Echeverry will be featured speakers.
The program will include Mass at 2 p.m. with Bishop Earl Fernandes as the celebrant plus displays by faith-based organizations, an opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation, and breakfast and lunch.
Music will be provided by the Neumann Project of Sunbury St. John Neumann Church, and the master of ceremonies will be Matt Palmer, board president of the Columbus Catholic Men’s Ministry.
Sablan, of Venice California, is a husband, father, Catholic speaker, evangelist and podcaster. He is co-founder and president of World Ablaze Incorporated, which is a Catholic apostolate focused on evangelization and discipleship, and has been interviewed on EWTN, Ave Maria and Sacred Heart Radio, in addition to partnering with Shalom World TV to co-host the Real Men series with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers.
In addition, he has been a part of the “That Man is You!” parish series, as well as the “RISE” parish membership program. He has more than 15 years of ministry experience at both the parish and diocesan level and received a graduate certificate in theology from the Augustine Institute.
Deacon Echeverry, who lives in the Phoenix area, is the founder and chief executive officer of the Black/Brown Collective, a Los Angeles-based strategic advisory and impact studio focused at the intersection of emerging platforms and emerging audiences. He also is vice chairman emeritus of Catholic Answers, the world’s largest English-language apologetics and evangelization media company.
He is on the boards of the Catholic Association for Latino Leadership, a professional association of Christian business leaders; the Tepeyac Leadership Initiative, a civic leadership and faith organization; and Sent Ventures, a platform focused on entrepreneurs of faith. In addition, he is chairman of SOFESA, a non-profit founded by his wife that accompanies and serves homeless families in southern California.
Registration for the conference is $40 for adults, $25 for students and complimentary for seminarians and members of the clergy. For more information, go to www.catholicmensministry.com and click on the conference link.
