(95) Press Release #1: Matthew Leonard Featured in 2016 Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal

AMDG

Originally submitted to the Steubenville Catholic Register December 10, 2015.

Matthew Leonard

            For the seventh consecutive year, the Diocese of Steubenville is sponsoring the Men's Day of Renewal on Saturday, February 27 from 9 am to 3:30 pm (optional rosary Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 8:30 am) at St. Stephen’s Church in Caldwell off of Exit 25 on I-77.  The patron of the Conference is St. Joseph, a model of a true man of God, to whose intercession we count upon for its success.

            To complement the Mass presided by Bishop Jeffrey Monforton and Penance Service the featured speaker is Matthew Leonard.  Father of five young children, he proclaims the power of prayer as a radio host and unusually dynamic and captivating speaker to audiences all over the U. S. and abroad.  He will first speak on the art of being a true Catholic, while giving the men an appreciation of the faith and helping them to become effective witnesses in our secular society.  Later in the day Leonard will show that prayer is power and will help the men to learn how to pray more effectively and grow in holiness. 

Often appearing on radio and television, he has written two books and a number of articles on these subjects.  After serving in Latin America as an Evangelical missionary, Matthew Leonard discovered the truth of  the Catholic faith in 1998, claiming that converting was the “greatest thing I ever did”.  After obtaining a Master’s Degree in Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, he became a real estate development executive in Chicago and later a Theology instructor at Ave Maria University in Florida before becoming the current Executive Director of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology in Steubenville.

            This background puts Matthew Leonard in a position to speak on the theme of this year’s Steubenville Diocese Men’s Conference, “RISE UP OH MEN OF GOD”.  That is through the power of prayer rise up to be the spiritual leaders of their families, to do their part in renewing their parishes, and to make a difference for Christ by applying the social teachings of the Church to their professions.

            Matthew Leonard is the author of “Louder Than Words – the Art of Living as a Catholic” and “Prayer Works – Getting a Grip on Catholic Spirituality”.      

            Since St. Stephen Church in Caldwell is the approximate center of our far flung diocese, the Steering Committee is hopeful that the men of Steubenville in the north and the men of Ironton and Chesapeake in the south will be able to participate.   Nevertheless, this mini-pilgrimage is still a Lenten sacrifice of early rising and a long trip with great fellowship in a van or bus as the men pray together, discuss the talks and other events of the Conference, and deepen friendships.

A great gift or stocking stuffer would be the $25 registration for the men in your life.......husband, father, son, grandson, boy friend, etc.  A bag lunch is provided. 

One may register with Roger Huck; Men’s Day of Renewal; P.O. Box 54; Beverly, OH 45715 (huck4816@roadrunner.com).  Fill out the Registration Form in the brochure in your parish or simply send your name, address, phone, e-mail address, and parish with a $25 check made out to the Diocese of Steubenville.  More information may be obtained from the Chairperson of the Steering Committee, Don Coen at 740-264-0155, 740-632-1565, or donandmargcoen@yahoo.com.  Ads in the program and donations to underwrite the Conference and keep the registration at a low price are greatly appreciated and may be sent to Roger Huck at the address above.  Keep posted on the Men’s Conference and articles on men’s spirituality at http://diosteubmen.blogspot.com.