Speakers set for sixth annual men’s conference
CLARKSDALE — The sixth annual Catholic men’s conference will be held at St. Elizabeth Church on the weekend of Aug. 21-22 beginning at 7 p.m. Friday and ending with Mass at 5 p.m. Saturday.
This year’s theme is “Behold, now is a very acceptable time; Behold now is the day of Salvation,” (2 Cor 6:2).
Over 120 men from all over the south attended the weekend conference last year.
This year’s speakers include Michael Cumbie, a storyteller in Catholic Apologetics. Freddie Britt, organizer of this retreat said at age 19, this former Pentecostal pastor experienced a life-changing experience with the Holy Spirit. “Increasingly dissatisfied with fundamentalist, evangelical preaching, he began to understand the Catholic Church was the true church,” Britt said.
“He began to understand how the early church worshiped with its signs and symbols and its focus on the Eucharist.”
Britt said Cumbie will have participants rolling in laughter while appreciating the Catholic faith in a way that no other speaker can.
According to Britt, Cumbie is an experienced speaker, musician, and worship leader and will inspire everyone with his knowledge, wit, and sense of humor. For more information on Cumbie visit his website, www.mikecumbie.org.
Britt said Father Larry Richards, another speaker, holds the answer to some of life’s most profound questions. “He speaks from experience as a pastor of an inner city parish, a high school chaplain, a counselor, and evangelist,” he said.
He entered St. Mark High School Seminary in Erie, Pa., at the age of 17 and received his master’s of divinity degree in 1987. He will soon conclude his studies and be awarded a master of arts degree in liturgy from the University of Notre Dame. Father Richards has served as pastor of St. Joseph Church/Bread of Life Community in Erie since 2002.
In 2004, he founded “The Reason for Our Hope Foundation,” a non-profit organization dedicated to ‘spreading the Good News’ by educating others about Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith through cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, and VHS multimedia products.
The foundation promotes Catholic speakers who are effective instruments of evangelization and also supports charities that strive to make real the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
He hosts a nightly radio show called “Changed Forever with Father Larry Richards.” It can be heard nationwide on Relevant Radio daily at 7 p.m. and on Sundays at 6 a.m. For more information, or to listen online go to www.relevantradio.com.
Bruce Brewer and Joe Polito, along with members of the Jubilee music ministry will lead the praise and worship music. They minister regularly at Catholic conferences and retreats.
The cost for the conference is $65 which includes breakfast and lunch on Saturday.
For more information call Freddie or Valerie Britt, 662-627-1823.
el Cumbie, a storyteller in Catholic Apologetics. Freddie Britt, organizer of this retreat said at age 19, this former Pentecostal pastor experienced a life-changing experience with the Holy Spirit. “Increasingly dissatisfied with fundamentalist, evangelical preaching, he began to understand the Catholic Church was the true church,” Britt said.
Father Richards has served as pastor of St. Joseph Church/Bread of Life Community in Erie since 2002. 