By MARY STADNYK
Associate Editor
Preparations for the 28th annual Catholic Men for Jesus Christ Conference scheduled for Feb. 22 in St. Mary, Mother of God Church, Middletown, are underway – and organizers maintain that any Catholic man who attends can expect to receive “a spiritual shot in the arm,” according to Bill Maher, president of CMJC.
“Solidarity: A Time to Unite” will serve as the conference theme and will emphasize the vital role of unity and brotherhood among Catholic men as they navigate their spiritual journeys and live out their faith in today’s world.
Highlights of the day will include Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., as well as time for prayer, fellowship and inspirational speakers Elvis Grbac, Trent Horn and Matthew Arnold.
Grbac grew up in Willoughby Hills, Ohio, and graduated from St. Joseph High School before he went to play as a quarterback for the University of Michigan. Following a record setting college career at Michigan, he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1993 and played nine seasons in the NFL. Throughout the span of his football career, he received many accolades and recognition including an AFC West title, Pro Bowl appearance and Super Bowl XXIX Championship. He currently lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with his wife, Lori, and three children. He is pursuing graduate work in theology at St. Mary Seminary in Ohio.
After his conversion to the Catholic Faith, Horn earned master’s degrees in the fields of theology, philosophy and bioethics. He serves as a staff apologist for Catholic Answers, where he specializes in teaching Catholics to engage with those who disagree with them in a persuasive and gracious fashion. Horn models that approach each week on the radio program, Catholic Answers Live and on his own podcast, The Counsel of Trent. He has also been invited to debate at the University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Santa Barbara and Stanford University.
Horn is an adjunct professor of apologetics at Holy Apostles College, has written for The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly and is the author of nine books including “Answering Atheism”, and “Why We’re Catholic: Our Reasons for Faith, Hope and Love”.
Arnold, an internationally renowned speaker, author and former New Age participant turned Catholic, will share his testimony and insights on devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the transformative power of faith. He has hosted programs for EWTN and the Radio Maria Network. A husband and father of six, he holds a certificate of lay ecclesial ministry from the Diocese of Orange, Calif., equipping him to connect with Catholics at every stage of their spiritual journey.
Arnold’s CDs, DVDs and brochures on Catholic teaching are available in more than 6,000 parishes across the country.
“The annual conference reminds us of our roles as men and apostles of Jesus,” said Rob Kinsky, vice chair of CMJC. “It’s a time to gather for fellowship, worship and inspiration to keep the faith strong.”
Cost to attend the conference is $60 per person and $20 for students. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
To register, visit www.catholicmenforjesuschrist.org.