By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN
Catholic Diocese of Salina
Event organizers are well aware of the impact that speakers have for those attending their particular conference.
That’s why the committee for the upcoming Eucharistic Conference in Hays chose an A-list of speakers for the conference, which promises to deepen attendees’ understanding and devotion to the Eucharist.
The list of speakers is headlined by a dynamic young bishop and other popular clergy members from around the diocese and beyond.
The conference, sponsored by Fort Hays State University’s Comeau Catholic Campus Center, is scheduled for Aug. 9-10 on the FHSU campus.
Bishop Joseph Espaillat, at 47 years of age the youngest bishop in the United States, will serve as the keynote speaker twice—on Friday night’s opening session and again on Saturday morning.
Attendees will even have a third time to hear from Bishop Joseph as he will be the homilist for Saturday’s outdoor Mass set for 5:15 p.m. on the FHSU Quad.
One Hays woman was so invigorated with Bishop Joseph’s homily at the closing Mass of the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, last fall that she jumped at the chance for all her children to hear him.
Brenda Rose, who attended the NCYC with her oldest daughter, Hannah, will be attending a cousin’s wedding in Nebraska on Saturday.
When she learned that Bishop Joseph would be she signed up her entire family for Friday evening’s sessions at the Eucharistic Conference.
“I remember watching Bishop Joseph throughout Eucharistic Adoration at NCYC, and I had never seen a priest or bishop who came so alive as he led us in adoration. His energy was contagious,” Rose said. “We didn’t learn until later that he was a bishop, and we were captivated by him during his homily. It was like he was one us, speaking directly to us and telling us exactly what all of us as Catholics need to hear.”
Several clergy and parishioners from the Salina Diocese are attending this weekend’s National Eucharist Congress in Indianapolis, the first of its kind in 83 years.
Bill Meagher, director of youth ministry, religious education and family life for the Salina Diocese, said Bishop Gerald Vincke wanted to host a conference closer to home, so soon after they returned from NCYC, plans began for making that happen. And Bishop Gerald quickly added Bishop Joseph to the list of speakers.
Father Andy Hammeke, pastor of FHSU’s Catholic Campus Center and co-vocational director for the Salina Diocese, also had a desire to bring an opportunity like this to FHSU students.
“We are really grateful for Fr. Andy and the Fort Hays students for opening up this conference to everyone in the diocese,” Meagher said.
Fr. Andy said that the bishops of the United States “decided to put on the event (in Indianapolis) in an effort to bolster Eucharistic Devotion in our country.”
“Not everybody in our diocese was able to attend, so we are honored to host our own Eucharistic Conference on the campus of Fort Hays State University,” Fr. Andy said. “We hope this will be an opportunity for people from all over Kansas and the surrounding states to increase their devotion to our Lord in the Eucharist.”
The conference will begin with registration from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday in Sheridan Hall, followed by the opening session featuring Bishop Joseph in Sheridan’s Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.
The evening will conclude with Adoration Under the Stars in the FHSU Quad. The next morning will feature another outdoor session with a 7 a.m. rosary at the grotto on the campus of Thomas More Prep-Marian Junior-Senior High School.
Following Bishop Joseph’s keynote session at 8:45, a variety of breakout sessions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. will cover topics such as Eucharist Adoration, understanding young people and leadership for teens, and our call to serve.
Bishop Vincke and Meagher want to point out that attending even parts of the conference will have an impact.
“Don’t let the fact that you can’t make it on Friday evening or must leave early on Saturday stop you from attending,” Meagher said. “We are excited to have you join us for whatever parts you can.”
They also stressed that anyone can attend the 5:15 p.m. Saturday Mass in the Quad.
“You do not need to register for the conference to participate in the closing Mass,” Meagher said. “Everyone is invited. You will just need to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.”
The Mass will be live streamed into Beach/Schmidt for those who have difficulty with heat or accessibility at the Quad.
“Things have become so confusing and uncertain in our world right now, and I think people are hungry for good, positive, direct messages,” Rose said. “They will get that here at this conference, and we are blessed to have this opportunity right here in our area.”
Father Gale Hammerschmidt will be joined by Sister Amy Marie Havlet as master of ceremonies.
Fr. Gale is well-known—and well-liked—around the state. He grew up in Hays and is now pastor at St. Isidore Parish on the campus of Kansas State University in Manhattan. Sr. Amy Marie is the vocation director for the Diocese of Lincoln.
The list of speakers also includes Bishop Gerald and Father Jarett Konrade, who served as pastor of St. Nicholas of Myra parish in Hays for several years and now is pastor of St. John the Baptist parish in Beloit. A complete list and biographies on the speakers, along with their session topics, can be found at https://salinadiocese.org/office/eucharistic-conference/speakers.
Registration is open until Aug. 1. One can register online at https://shorturl.at/HPUuJ or by calling 785-827-8746.
Eucharistic Conference schedule
Friday, Aug. 9
• 5 to 7 p.m. – Registration, Sheridan Hall.
• 7 p.m. – Opening session, Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center, keynote speaker Bishop Joseph Espaillat
• 9 to 10 p.m. – Adoration Under the Stars, The Quad
• 10 p.m. – Gathering for young adults (18-35 years), Comeau Catholic Campus Center.
Saturday, Aug. 10
• 7 a.m. – Rosary, TMP-Marian grotto
• 8 a.m. – Daily Mass, St. Joseph Church, 215 W. 13th St., and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 1805 Vine St.
• 8:45 a.m. – Keynote session, Bishop Joseph Espaillat, Beach/Schmidt
• 10:10 to 4:50 p.m. – Breakout sessions*
• 5:15 p.m. – Closing Mass, The Quad
• More complete information, including times and presenters, on breakout sessions will be provided registrants closer to conference time.