‘Tis the season for Catholic conferences as spring shrugs off the last vestiges of winter — still a lot of snow out my window at the moment, but we’re getting there — and we move toward warmer days.
One conference that is just around the corner is the one put on by our friends at Catholic Family News, which will be held from April 6-8 in Deerfield, Illinois. There’s still room for registration if you’re interested, so see the full official conference info after the jump.
As with our last two event announcements, this is not a sponsored post. We just wanted to help spread the word for those interested in attending.
Catholic Family News to Host “Weapons of Our Warfare” Conference
“Finally, brethren, be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of his power.” – Ephesians 6:10
By Matt Gaspers
In his Epistle to the Hebrews, St. Paul exhorts us most earnestly:
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering (for He is faithful that hath promised): And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works: Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed, but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:23-25).
As Catholics, assembling regularly for worship and fellowship has been essential to our Faith since apostolic times. St. John Chrysostom (d. 407), commenting on the above passage, explains its importance most eloquently:
“[St. Paul] knew that much strength arises from being together and assembling together. ‘For where two or three’ (it is said) ‘are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them’ (Matt. 18:20)…For as ‘iron sharpeneth iron’ (Prov. 27:17), so also association increases love. For if a stone rubbed against a stone sends forth fire, how much more soul mingled with soul! … For the assembling is a great good: since it makes love more warm; and out of love all good things arise” (Homily 19 on Hebrews, 3).
St. Paul and St. John Chrysostom both understood well that, as members of the Mystical Body of Christ, we truly are “members one of another” (Rom. 12:5) and thus need one another for mutual support. This is why we gather together for conferences, to gain the strength and inspiration necessary to keep on fighting “the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12).
You have just such an opportunity approaching soon. On April 6-8 (the weekend after Easter) in Deerfield, IL (near Chicago), Catholic Family News will host its annual conference, and this year’s theme – “Weapons of Our Warfare” – is guaranteed to strengthen and inspire. Geared specifically towards the escalating crisis in the Church, our conference will explore the myriad of spiritual weapons in our Catholic arsenal and how to wield them effectively.
Rendezvous for Soldiers of Christ
In the midst of the great battle we are facing, it is vital for each soldier of Christ to know his proper role and be equipped to fulfill his mission. As St. Paul wrote elsewhere, Our Lord
“gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ…That henceforth we be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the wickedness of men…” (Eph. 4:11-12, 14).
Our line-up of conference speakers includes “pastors and doctors”, “evangelists”, those who will no doubt impart prophetic insights – even a successor of the Apostles! And their mission is the same: to contribute to “the perfecting of the saints” – the faithful – by sharing their wisdom, experience, and practical advice concerning “the weapons of our warfare” (2 Cor. 10:4). (More details are available here.)
If you have not already registered for the 2018 Catholic Family News Conference, please consider doing so today as time is running out and space is limited. You truly will not want to miss what is poised to be (God willing) the most powerful CFN Conference to date! God bless you and we hope to see you there!
