In Defense of Diocesan Conferences

Peter Martin, director of Life, Marriage & Family and Communications, pmartin@dowr.org

Are we going to have a Men’s/ Women’s Conference this year? This is a question that I often get, and I both love receiving it and hate it at the same time. I love it because it tells me that they are valuable and that people want to go to the conferences we host. I hate it because it’s such a difficult question right now. I really want to host a conference and I know that some dioceses are, but due to the risks involved I have decided not to host a Women’s Conference this fall and likely the same decision will be made for the Men’s Conference in the spring.

Why? Well, it all comes down to prudence. Let’s say I have all things planned and the pandemic ramps back up to where we were in the past with limited gatherings; then I’ve spent money and time on an event that is unable to take place. Deposits on speakers, food, venues can all be costly and sadly are not reimbursed because the Governor limited large gatherings.

On the other hand, let’s say there are no such limits and the conference happens with men or women gathering from all across our diocese. A great time is had by all, but what we did not know is that a group came from a location in the diocese that had a recent spike in transmissions of COVID, and now several men/women are sick because we hosted a conference. Obviously, no one wants to contract COVID and everyone knows the risk, but you can see the reason for the hesitation on hosting a conference.

So what do we do now, if we want to gather with other men/women? That’s a great question! Let’s answer another question first: Why do you want to gather? Most often the answer is: “We gain strength in faith by gathering and praying with others!” That’s awesome and yet, that can still be done!

By now you are familiar with the many online conferences that are made available (the St. Joseph Conference which is happening now, for example). I suggest that people host “mini-conferences” and watch these virtual talks together maybe over drinks in someone’s home. Then enjoy each other’s company while discussing the beautiful truths of the faith that you just witnessed.

One of the goals we have for our annual conferences, in fact, is the building up of our parish communities. We know that there is great fruit that comes from our large conferences, but we also know of the tremendous value that comes from the smaller gatherings of men and women who share the faith! I pray that our local Men’s and Women’s Groups grow in strength and in number and that through them, people grow closer to Jesus while assisting their friends to do the same!

Fellowship of Catholic University Students' annual SEEK Conference, usually held in a single location and attended by thousands from around the country, was this year livestreamed to smaller groups.