Location: Finnegan Fieldhouse

“Speaking the Truth in Love as an Act of Mercy” –Patrick Madrid

“Islam: What Every Infidel Should Know”
–Steve Ray

Celebration of Holy Mass
–Fr. David Meconi, SJ

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Patrick Madrid hosts the three-hour daily Patrick Madrid Show, broadcast nationally on Relevant Radio. His 27 books include Life Lessons, Why Be Catholic?, How to Do Apologetics, and the acclaimed Surprised by Truth series. Patrick earned a BPhil in philosophy and an MA in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical College Josephinum. Formerly an adjunct professor of theology at Franciscan University, he currently serves as an adjunct professor of theology at Holy Apostles College and Seminary. Patrick and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 37 years and are blessed with 11 children and 23 grandchildren. His website is patrickmadrid.com. ___________________________________________

Steve Ray is an intrepid traveler, expert on the Holy Land, popular Catholic apologist, documentary producer, Bible teacher, and best-selling author who appears on many TV and radio shows. Steve is one of the most fascinating and inspiring Catholic speakers around and is appropriately dubbed “Jerusalem Jones.” His popular film series The Footprints of God has inspired and enriched the faith of thousands around the world. Steve leads pilgrimages to the Holy Land and other biblical and Catholic sites. Steve has been married to Janet for 42 years and is the father of 4 and grandfather of 15.

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Father David Meconi, SJ, first encountered the Society of Jesus at Marquette University in Milwaukee. He joined the novitiate in 1992 and then taught Greek and Latin at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago (1994-96). From there, Fr. Meconi taught Classics and Philosophy at Xavier University (1996-2000), before being sent to the University of Innsbruck for his pontifical license in Patrology (2000-03), where he was also ordained a deacon. After priestly ordination in 2003, he was sent to Oxford University where he wrote a dissertation on St. Augustine’s theology of divinization under Fr. Thomas Weinandy, O.F.M.-Cap. and the Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology and Canon of Christ Church at that time, the Reverend Oliver O’Donovan. In 2007, Fr. Meconi came to Saint Louis University where he has been teaching and writing on issues of the early Church and Catholicism in general ever since. He is also the Director of SLU’s Catholic Studies Centre as well as the editor of Homiletic and Pastoral Review.

Matt Regitz took over his struggling home parish youth program in Houston after working five years as an oilfield salesman. Fifteen years later, Matt is still sharing the Gospel with the teens at Prince of Peace Church while reaching thousands more around the country. Matt graduated from Texas A&M and has a master’s in theology from the University of St. Thomas. When he’s not sharing the Gospel, he loves to do Crossfit, brew coffee, groom his epic beard, and hang out with the Regitz clan, which is made up of his bride, Stephanie, four kids, and their daughter in heaven, Mary Clare.

Sister Mary Elizabeth Albers, SOLT, is a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, a missionary community with a Marian-Trinitarian spirituality. As a student athlete at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS, Sister Mary Elizabeth experienced the transformation of her campus culture in the founding years of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), while leading a Bible study for female athletes. After graduating with a B.A in English and Mass Communications, she followed the advice of her brother, a Benedictine monk, and traveled to a border town in Belize, Central America to serve as a missionary teacher in a SOLT-run high school. The life of prayer, community and service she experienced there opened her heart to a deeper encounter with the Lord. She entered SOLT in 2006 and professed final vows in 2014. Currently, Sister Mary Elizabeth lives in Corpus Christi, TX, and serves as the vocation servant for her community and secretary to the General Superior.

Father John Parks is a priest for the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona. Before seminary, Father Parks received a degree in theatre from Arizona State University and was a youth speaker specializing in pro-life and chastity topics. Father Parks was ordained a priest in 2010 and will begin teaching high school theology at Notre Dame Preparatory High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, next year. Father Parks has a great passion for the Gospel and loves being a priest.

Chris Padgett has been doing ministry for over 20 years. He is an author, musician, teacher, and motivational speaker. Padgett has been married to his high school sweetheart for over 25 years and has nine children. He has also appeared on television and radio and has been a regular speaker and entertainer at Steubenville youth conferences. For the last several years, Chris was an adjunct professor of theology at Franciscan University and currently teaches at Catholic Distance University. The Padgett family currently lives in Central New York. Check out chrispadgett.com for more.

Location: Finnegan Fieldhouse

“Persevering in the Spirit: Virtues, Gifts, and Fruits” –Fr. David Meconi, SJ

“Playing with Fire: Five Saintly Strategies to Open Minds and Win Souls”
–Mark Hart

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Father David Meconi, SJ, first encountered the Society of Jesus at Marquette University in Milwaukee. He joined the novitiate in 1992 and then taught Greek and Latin at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago (1994-96). From there, Fr. Meconi taught Classics and Philosophy at Xavier University (1996-2000), before being sent to the University of Innsbruck for his pontifical license in Patrology (2000-03), where he was also ordained a deacon. After priestly ordination in 2003, he was sent to Oxford University where he wrote a dissertation on St. Augustine’s theology of divinization under Fr. Thomas Weinandy, O.F.M.-Cap. and the Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology and Canon of Christ Church at that time, the Reverend Oliver O’Donovan. In 2007, Fr. Meconi came to Saint Louis University where he has been teaching and writing on issues of the early Church and Catholicism in general ever since. He is also the Director of SLU’s Catholic Studies Centre as well as the editor of Homiletic and Pastoral Review.

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Mark Hart serves full time as executive vice president of Life Teen, a Catholic youth ministry movement currently being implemented in 1,800 parishes in 30 countries worldwide. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Mark is a best-selling author of over a dozen books, popular speaker and SiriusXM radio host. His wildly popular DVD study series, Altaration, Encounter, and T3 are currently utilized in homes, youth groups, and classrooms across the globe. Mark and his wife, Melanie, have three daughters, Hope, Trinity and Faith, and one son, Josiah. They live in Phoenix, Arizona.