30th men’s conference: ‘Seeking the will of God’

Pick up a book penned by Father Larry Richards and it’s clear he’s not fooling around.

“Be a Man!”

“Surrender!”

Richards frequently takes aim at men – challenging them to be better men, husbands and fathers. And that will surely be in focus when Richards returns to the Oklahoma Catholic Men’s Conference, In The Father’s Footsteps, set for March 14 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. The theme of the conference: Seeking the Will of God.

Tickets for the 30th annual conference are available at catholicmen.net at a cost of $94 for adults, $49 for college-aged and $39 for high school-aged.

Richards, a popular speaker, author, podcaster and retreat master, is a priest in the diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania. A return speaker for In The Father’s Footsteps, he is delivering a talk titled In His Will Is Our Peace. 

One focus: “You must listen in prayer,” he said. “Ask what he wants and then do it!”
When it comes to the Lord’s will, especially discerning that will, Richards said people must first get out of the way.

“Stop trying to do it yourself,” Richards said. “Give Jesus full control. Let him live.
“Galatians 2:20! ‘I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.” 

“Surrender.”

The speaker lineup also features: Curtis Martin, popular evangelist and founder of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students); Nathan Crankfield, combat veteran and Catholic leader; and Joe Heschmeyer, a renowned Catholic apologist.

“The speakers will come at our theme, Seeking the Will of God, from different ways to give us more clarity on how we discern this voice,” said Ray Haefele, conference director and co-founder. “Every man hears a response to their prayers and request. How do we know we are doing God's will instead of just a voice in our head?

“Father Larry and Curtis Martin are return speakers, among our most highly rated speakers from the past. Nathan Crankfield and Joe Heschmeyer will bring new perspectives with their powerful message and witness.”

Richards said he’s routinely seen the fruits of such conferences, with men carrying renewed faith into their homes and into the world, with one typical Father Larry caveat.

“Absolutely,” he said. “But they need to put in to practice what they learn.”

John Helsley is editor of the Sooner Catholic.