By William J. Dagendesh
Our Blessed Virgin Mother Mary highlights the third Denver Marian Conference, 5-10 p.m., Friday, Oct. 20; 8-6:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21 and 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 22 at the Crowne Plaza Denver Airport Convention Center, 15500 E. 40th Ave., Denver.
Approximately 1,500 people are expected to attend the event to strengthen their faith through fellowship and encourage others to spread the words of Jesus. Daily prayers will be offered as will a Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Holy Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
This year’s theme, “Mary Went in Haste” (Luke 1:39) refers to Mary’s desire to serve, proclaim her joy and respond without hesitation to the grace of the Holy Spirit. Mary didn’t hold back or remain indifferent because she thought about and cared more for others than herself. She knew this gift from God was the key to saving humankind.
“This is our third year sponsoring this conference, and we believe many come to renew and gain a deeper understanding of their Catholic faith,” said Marian Center President Dennis Malcomb.
Marian refers to Mary, who is celebrated at each conference that focuses on a particular aspect of her existence. This includes her apparitions, Immaculate Heart or specific devotions, such as the rosary or scapular.
Several speakers will discuss the importance of Spiritual Discernment and growing in the Sacraments of the Church. They are: Father Chris Alar, MIC; Father Daniel Reehil; Father Joseph Tran; Father Timothy Gallagher, OMV; Father Frank Garcia; Father Joseph Aytona, CPM and Daniel diSilva.
Father Alar is the Provincial Superior of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy Province of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception in the United States and Argentina. Father Gallagher has taught at St. John’s Seminary, Brighton, and Our Lady of Grace Seminary Residence, Boston, both located in Massachusetts.
Father Aytona is the rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, founder of the Spiritual Motherhood Sodality and founder of Family Vocation Ministries. Father Reehil is pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Columbia, Tenn., and Father Garcia is pastor at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Denver.
Father Tran is pastor at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Golden, Colo. diSilva is president of The Original Divine Mercy Institute headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania. “These talks will help us grow closer to Jesus in the Eucharist through the intercession of Our Lady,” Malcomb said.
According to Malcomb, the public has responded favorably to the upcoming conference. Approximately 900 people attended the first conference, and since then the request to conduct additional events has been overwhelming, he said.
“There was such a great response to the first event that we held a second one the following year. News about the conference got out and it has been popular and we’re hearing that people are touched. It goes to show that people need and want these events. However, a lot of work goes into these conferences which is why we now hold them every other year.,” Malcomb said.
An Adoration Chapel will be available during the scheduled program. Confessions will be held from 3-6 p.m., Oct. 20 only. “If priests are available, we will offer confessions on Friday evening and Saturday morning,” Malcomb said.
Guests are encouraged to attend confession in their own Parish before attending the conference. During the weekend, a 72-foot banner will be available for people wishing to write their petitions and names of their deceased loved ones.
The Marian Conference is regarded as an example of extending what the Blessed Mother has always encouraged humankind to do, to spread God’s Word, and invite others to know and embrace Jesus. Marian conferences are held nationwide and the term “devotions” is commonly understood to refer to those external practices of piety by which the faith of an individual finds expression.
“We believe this year will be special since it is in conjunction with the Eucharistic Revival. We even invited the Archbishop to attend,” Malcomb said.
Registration will be held at 2 p.m., Oct. 20 and at 7 a.m. in the Main Hall. To learn more call Malcomb at 303-422-8631 or visit www.denvermarianconference.com.