Catholic Men for Jesus Christ will host its 16th annual men’s conference Feb. 23 in St. Joseph Parish in Toms River, with Trenton Bishop David M. O’ Connell, C.M., as the keynote speaker. 

This year’s conference, entitled “Real Men, Real Catholic Faith,” offers an opportunity to hear inspirational speakers and interact with other men who are looking to grow in their walk with Jesus and to live out their Catholic faith.

Along with Bishop O’ Connell, other speakers will include author and radio host Allen Hunt, pro-life and pro-family leader Damon Owens, and New York Jets legend Joe Klecko. There will also be talks for young men from eighth grade to college age.

Bishop O’ Connell, a priest of the Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission, also known as the Vincentians, grew up in Langhorne, Pa. with his parents and three brothers. Knowing from an early age that he wished to pursue the priesthood, he attended the Vincentians’ St. Joseph Preparatory High School, Princeton. He continued his Vincentian education in Niagara University, N.Y., where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1978.

In 1982, he was ordained a priest of the Congregation of the Mission in Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, Pa. He then pursued studies in canon law at The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., obtaining a licentiate in 1987 and then a doctorate in canon law in 1990.

He also served as professor of theology and religious studies, and associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at St. John’s University, Queens, NY. After his time with SJU, he was named the 14th president of CUA in 1998, a position he held until 2010, when he became coadjutor bishop of Trenton.

Allen Hunt, who was born and raised Methodist, has a very different story.  In 2007, after a 15-year journey of faith, he stepped down from his position as senior pastor at Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church in Georgia, one of the largest Methodist congregations in the world.

Shortly afterwards he converted to Catholicism. He is now known for his three books, including his most recent release, “Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor: How I Discovered the Hidden Treasures of the Catholic Church”. 

Hunt currently serves as vice president for strategy at The Dynamic Catholic Institute and hosts the Allen Hunt show that airs on 750 am and 95.5 fm WSB news talk radio in Georgia.

He holds a Ph.D. in New Testament and Ancient Christian Origins from Yale University. For more information on Hunt and his work, visit www.allenhuntshow.com   and www.DynamicCatholic.com.

Damon Owens is executive director of the Theology of the Body Institute, but before committing his career to full-time marriage and family ministry in 2002, he worked in the business world for 15 years, managing divisions of multi-million dollar technology companies.

He has served as Natural Family Planning and Marriage Preparation Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Newark, founded New Jersey Natural Family Planning Association and Joy-Filled Marriage New Jersey.

Owens has led initiatives for various pro-life and pro-family organizations such as the New Jersey Catholic Bishops Conference, The Children First Foundation, and Life Education and Resource Network (LEARN), the largest African-American pro-life ministry in the country.

Joe Klecko was the first member of what would become one of the most feared defensive front fours in the history of the NFL- the ‘New York Sack Exchange’. He was the first NFL player ever to be named to the Pro Bowl at three different positions (defensive end, nose tackle and defensive tackle).

In 2005, the New York Jets retired his jersey number, #78. Only Hall of Famers Joe Namath and  Don Maynard have received the same honor from the Jets.

The conference will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $25 or $30 after Feb. 22. For more information and to register visit http://www.catholicmenforjesuschrist.org./