3,000 men expected to attend annual event

By David Eck

ARCHDIOCESE — Coming off a winning season that saw his University of Cincinnati football team gain national recognition and a victory in the 2007 Papajohns.com Bowl, head coach Brian Kelly will be among the key speakers at the 14th annual Cincinnati Catholic Men’s Conference.

The conference will be held March 1 at Cincinnati’s Music Hall. About 3,000 men from across the archdiocese and several states are expected to attend.

"We do have people coming from all over the country," said Kent Linnemann, executive director of Cincinnati Catholic Men’s Fellowship, which hosts the conference. "A lot of people seem to be interested in (Kelly’s) message and what he’s got going on."

The speakers are:

Brian Kelly, who has established a reputation for building winning teams, having compiled a 147-54-2 record in 17 seasons. He emphasizes a moral dimension that develops athletes beyond their football skills. A charismatic individual with an engaging personality, he is as comfortable involving himself in his community as he is giving orders on the sideline.

Tarek Saab, a 28-year-old CEO, author, and speaker. He is the CEO of Lionheart Apparel, the fastest growing Chris-tian clothier. He is also the author of Gut Check, a book about young men’s issues. He was a finalist on the television program The Apprentice.

Missionary Servant of the Most Holy Trinity Brother Loughlan Sofield is an accomplished speaker, author and professor. He is senior editor of Human Development magazine, has been recognized for his work on the laity, is co-author of numerous books and has consulted with over 200 dioceses on five continents.

Society of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity Father Phillip Chavez culminated his studies with a doctorate in Rome. Basing his work on sound theological and human principles, he calls men to mentor young men, honor their commitments and defend their family.

One of the first fellowship conferences in the country, the Cincinnati event dates to the mid-1990s when about 450 men gathered at St. Gertrude Parish in Madeira to listen to former high school and college football coach Gerry Faust.

Over the years, tens of thousands of men have attended the conferences, which have featured such speakers as U.S. Sen. Richard Santorum, Prison Fellowship Ministries founder and former presidential advisor Charles Colson and former football coaches Lou Holtz and Mike Ditka.

The conference is intended to help men deepen their faith and sharpen their relationship with each other and their families — in short, "men ministering to men," Linnemann said.

In addition to the speakers, the event will feature the opportunity for men to attend confession and a closing Mass concelebrated by Diocese of Covington Bishop Roger Foys and Bishop Ronald Gainer of the Diocese of Lexington. More than a dozen priests are also expected to vest for the Mass.

For more information on the conference or Cincinnati Catholic Men’s Fellowship, log onto www.thecall.org or call 513-321-4673.