Faith formation and fellowship on tap during Utah Catholic Conference

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SALT LAKE CITY — Catholics from throughout the state will gather for a day of faith formation and fellowship on Sept. 21, when the Diocese of Salt Lake City will host the Utah Catholic Conference.

The theme of the conference is “Our Faith Moves Mountains.” In addition to the celebration of a Mass by Bishop Oscar A. Solis, local Catholics will hear from nationally acclaimed speakers and attend a variety of faith-based workshops presented by local experts.

Renowned Catholic speaker and author Mark Hart, known as the “Bible Geek,” will be the keynote speaker in English for the event. Hart is the author of more than 20 books including the award-winning Blessed are the Bored in Spirit as well as coauthor with his wife, Melanie, of Our Not-Quite-Holy Family, Embracing God’s Plan for Marriage and Getting More Out of Marriage. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a research fellow at the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, Hart is also a blogger, podcaster and chief innovation officer of Life Teen, a Catholic youth ministry movement being implemented in 1,700 parishes and 30 countries worldwide.

The keynote speaker in Spanish will be Dr. Jose Antonio Medina, an instructor at University of Santo Tomas in Houston, Texas and the Center for Studies for Religion and Spirituality at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, Calif. He served in the Diocese of San Bernardino as director of continuing formation for priests for more than a decade. Dr. Medina will also give a second presentation in Spanish during the conference: “Missionary Disciples Going Forth with Joy.”

The youth sessions at the conference will be led by Jon Leonetti, a nationally known Catholic author, speaker and radio show host. Leonetti has written Mission of The Family, Your God Is Too Boring and The Art of Getting Over Yourself: And Why You’ll Be Happier When You Do. Leonetti, whose wife, Teresa, is originally from Salt Lake City, said they visit family in Utah often. He has spoken here before, at the Utah Catholic Schools Diocesan Educator Day and two Catholic Utah Theology Uncorked events.

Those who participate in the conference will also be able to choose from 12 workshops over three sessions on faith formation, liturgy and worship, marriage and family life, stewardship and youth and young adult ministry.

WHAT: Utah Catholic Conference

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Skaggs Catholic Center, 300 East 11800 South, Draper

COST: $40 until Sept. 7; late registration, $50; day of event, $65

The conference is open to all Utah Catholics 12 and older. To register, visit https://www.dioslc.org/conference/adult-registration or use QR code above.