Men, get ready for Reverend Know-It-All.
Father Richard Simon, the blogging, talk-radio hosting priest unafraid of any question that has to do with the Catholic faith, is coming to the Twin Cities as the featured speaker at the annual Archdiocesan Men’s Conference March 21.
Conquering sin is the theme of this year’s gathering — open to men and boys of all ages — which will be held at Anderson Athletic and Recreation Center on the campus of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.
Father Simon, the pastor of St. Lambert Parish in Skokie, Ill., writes a blog — tongue-in-cheek titled Reverend Know-It-All — and, for the past year and a half has been a fixture on Relevant Radio (1330 AM in the Twin Cities area). He hosts the weekday 10 a.m. hour-long program “Father Simon Says,” which includes a reflection on the day’s Mass readings, Father’s word of the day and a call-in question and answer segment.
Jeff Cavins, director of evangelization and catechesis for the archdiocese, said those who attend will enjoy Father Simon for his humor and his street smarts.
“Father Simon is that rare combination of an academic with very practical, street-level advice for people,” Cavins said.
Cavins said Father Simon has done considerable work in the area of sin and brokenness.
“When we look at men’s lives, one of the great barriers of intimacy between them and God, and them and their families, is sin,” Cavins said.
“Sin separates and isolates,” he added, and the result of that lack of relationships with God and others is that they do not get the fruit of God in their lives.
Doors open for adoration and confession at 7 a.m., followed by Mass at 8 a.m. and breakfast before the conference starts at 9 a.m.
To register, visit the Men’s Conference registration page online. Walk-ins are welcome the day of the conference.
