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February 9, 2022Steve Ray plans a simple, yet pointed message, as the keynote speaker for the 2022 Catholic Men’s Conference, “In The Father’s Footsteps,” set for March 12 in Norman.
“You belong to God 100 percent – twice – because he made you and then he came back and died for you,” Ray said in giving some insight into his talk, entitled “Give yourself to God.”
“In reality, you don’t own yourself. You don’t own your money. You don’t own your house. Everything is his. And, at the end of your life you’re going to go back to him with none of these things anyway. You should realize you belong to God and give yourself to God because that’s the only logical thing to do.”
Ray, a renowned Catholic speaker, author and film producer, headlines the 26th edition of the conference set for March 12 at the Embassy Suites in Norman. The theme of this year’s conference is “Bringing Christ to the World.”
The rest of the lineup includes Marcellino D’Ambrosio, a senior fellow for The Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology; Brian Greenfield, the director of campus ministries at Jesuit High School in Tampa, Fla.; and Monsignor James Shea, president at the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D.
“The speaker platform this year will focus on ways we should live up to our Baptismal promise to take Christ into the world – family, social and the workplace,” said Ray Haefele, director of the Oklahoma men’s conference.
Ray charges men, especially fathers, to lead the way.
Church data suggests that men often are the key to promoting faith in the family. When fathers go to church, and actively participate, studies show it is a determining factor in whether children engage and remain committed to their faith.
Ray believes that data, and said he enjoys imploring men to fill that role in the family and beyond.
“You need a father in the home to encourage and love and be an example,” Ray said.
Ray, a former business services owner, now works full-time evangelizing. He’s the author of five books, producer of the popular video series “Footprints of God,” appears regularly on EWTN and Catholic radio, and leads pilgrimages to the holy land.
“Steve’s talk will provide a no-nonsense guide to living a strong Catholic-based life among these times of confusion in our world,” Haefele said.
Registration is open at catholicmen.net. The cost includes breakfast and lunch, the four speakers, an opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation and Mass with Archbishop Coakley and Tulsa Bishop David Konderla.
Oklahoma Catholic Men’s Conference
Registration: catholicmen.net
Adults: $59 ($69 after Feb. 15)
College students: $39
High school students: $29
