The Evangelical Catholic and Catholic Leadership Institute are excited to announce the Priests for an Apostolic Age Conference taking place in San Antonio, TX.

Early bird conference registration for priests and bishops is open now through September 15!

Priests for an Apostolic Age Conference | January 21-24, 2025

Recharge your ministry and activate apostolic laity in your community! Join us in San Antonio, TX January 21-24 to learn the tools to create a culture of lay evangelization in your community.

Uncover your mission and identity as an apostolic priest in a secular age and what you need to be equipped to lead the laity to live out the Great Commission.
Learn how to take proactive measures to respond to the hurdles presented by our current cultural landscapes, and help the faithful navigate their journey as disciples with joyful hope.
Learn how to leverage your influence to inspire and activate a movement of evangelization and personal apostolate in your community.
Gather in fellowship with priests and bishops who share the same convictions and goals.

With these tools, your parishioners will reach every corner of your community with the gospel and make disciples of their neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family.

See highlights from the 2023 conference:

OSV Pre-Conference Session | January 21, 2025

Get the most out of your experience by adding on this optional pre-conference gathering by OSV on Tuesday, January 21, 9:00am-4:00pm. Registration is now open. Limited space available. The session is $99 and includes lunch.

In a world that never stops changing, parishes are increasingly challenged to engage their communities in a way that is dynamic, orthodox, relevant, and ultimately impactful in the life of a human person. This workshop is designed for clergy attending the Priests for an Apostolic Age conference who are committed to fostering a forward-thinking, agile parish that is dedicated to uncovering growth opportunities at every turn.

Participants will be introduced to key concepts and strategies to:

1. Grasp the critical importance of curiosity in steering the creation of ministries that are custom-fitted to a community's unique character, fostering an environment rich in creativity and vitality.

2. Gain insights into creating a church culture that values break-through thinking, adaptability, and proactive engagement with emerging trends in a parish.

3. Embrace tools that facilitate exploration and experimentation as catalysts to accelerating parish growth.

Register Now!

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Registration

Conference registration includes attendance at all conference keynotes, workshops, and sessions. There will be daily prayer and liturgies, time for fellowship, and access to multiple resources. Registration for participants also includes the meals listed below. Early bird pricing is available now through September 15, 2024. After this date, registration fees will increase to $579 for regular registration and $539 for diocesan delegation registration.

Registration is also be available for a special pre-event on January 21 hosted by OSV.

Lodging

Join us at the Hilton Palacio del Rio on January 21-24, 2025 (three nights). The Hilton Palacio del Rio is located on the historic Riverwalk, with easy access to many amenities San Antonio has to offer. An additional night may be added at the group rate for those attending OSV's pre-conference event or those who would like to come and take advantage of the many wonderful things San Antonio has to offer.

Conference attendees will receive a discounted hotel rate of $169/night plus tax by booking through the hotel link provided below. The room block is limited, so do not delay in booking your room. All reservations must be made by December 27, 2024.

Book a room at the discounted event rate here.

Arrival and Transportation

Hotel check-in starts at 4:00 pm on January 21, but there is an option to store luggage prior to check-in. Conference check-in will be available beginning at 2:00 pm and remain open until 7:00 pm. There will be an opening liturgy at 4:30pm with a welcome reception after following the OSV pre-conference event on Tuesday. The main conference sessions will begin at 9:00am on Wednesday, January 22. The conference will conclude at noon on Friday, January 24. A full schedule of exact times will be released soon.

Driving: For those driving to the conference, the Hilton Palacio Del Rio can be found at 200 South Alamo Street, San Antonio, TX. There is a daily parking fee (see below), and the hotel uses valet parking given its location on the Riverwalk.

Valet Parking: The daily rate for valet parking is $55, with in and out privileges. Parking is covered and secure.

Flying: Guests flying in to San Antonio International Airport can access the Hilton Palacio Del Rio via Uber, Lyft, taxis, or the Via Metropolitan Transit system. It is about a 10-15 minute car ride, which costs approximately $25-40 each way. There is a Via bus that travels between the airport and a scheduled stop approximately 3 blocks from the Hilton; the average fare is $2.

Meals

Meals Included in Registration:

Tuesday, January 21: Welcome reception
Wednesday, January 22: Lunch and an evening banquet
Thursday, January 23: Lunch
Morning coffee and tea service, and refreshments during breaks throughout the conference

All other meals are on your own. The Hilton Palacio del Rio features three on-site restaurants, a coffee shop, and a bar. In addition, the Hilton is located on the charming Riverwalk with shops and restaurants located steps from the hotel. A list of other Riverwalk restaurants can be found here.

Conference Payment and Receipts

Prepayment in full is required at the time of registration. Confirmation of registration is provided automatically with online registration. Confirmations will be sent by email. If you do not receive your confirmation, please contact [email protected].

If you have questions about using diocesan delegation codes or sponsor and exhibitor codes during registration, please contact us at the email above.

Cancellations/Refunds

Refund requests must be received in writing by email by December 20, 2024. A refund of the conference registration fee, minus a $100 cancelation fee, will be granted for all email cancellation requests received by December 20, 2024. No refunds will be granted after this date.

Registration Transfers

Canceled conference registrations may be transferred to another priest with no penalty by January 10, 2025.

Speakers

Fr. John Riccardo Acts XXIX, Executive Director

Fr. John Riccardo is a missionary and ACTS XXIX Executive Director. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1996. In 2019, after 23 years in parish ministry, he founded Acts XXIX to proclaim the gospel in an attractive and compelling way and to equip clergy and lay leaders for the age in which God has chosen us to live.

Daniel Cellucci Catholic Leadership Institute, CEO

Daniel Cellucci is the CEO of Catholic Leadership Institute, an apostolate providing leadership training and consulting to bishops, priests, deacons, religious and lay leaders in more than 120 dioceses. Dan is a sought-after advisor, consultant, and presenter for the Church, equipping leaders to be confident and competent in their ministry.

Lisa Brenninkmeyer Walking with Purpose, Founder

Lisa Brenninkmeyer is the Founder and Chief Purpose Officer of Walking with Purpose (WWP), a Catholic women's ministry. Lisa has authored 16 WWP Bible study courses, two devotionals, BLAZE and Sisters of Strength resources for Catholic tween/teens, and a guided prayer journal — all of which lead women and young girls to a closer relationship with the Lord.

Dave Durand Leading Giants, CEO and Best Version Media, Executive Chairman

Dave Durrand is currently the CEO of Leading Giants and Executive Chairman of Best Version Media, an international media company located in Brookfield, Wisconsin. He is also a best-selling author, radio personality, professional speaker and trainer to over 150,000 individuals. Dave is vastly different than most business leaders as his expertise is rooted in more than two decades of leadership and entrepreneurship. Dave speaks, not just from theory, but from experience.

Michael School Catholic Leadership Institute, Executive Vice President

Michael School serves as Executive Vice President for the Catholic Leadership Institute. Prior to this role, Mike served the Catholic Diocese of Richmond for 12 years as the Executive Director of the Center for Marriage, Family, and Life, Director of the Office for Evangelization, and Director of the Office of Social Ministries. Mike’s career includes corporate experience as an IT Project Manager and a Corporate Learning Consultant for Capital One. Mike also leads a consulting company to support several Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and non-profits. Mike holds a BBA in Information Technology and BA in Government from the College of William and Mary as well as a MA in Religion and Religious Education from Fordham University.

Jason Simon The Evangelical Catholic, President

Jason Simon is the President of the Evangelical Catholic. After a short career in engineering, Jason began working in the Church as a parish Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry. In 2007, he graduated with a Master's in Divinity from the University of Notre Dame and began leading the Evangelical Catholic. Under his leadership, the EC has experienced consistent expansion in equipping Catholic laity for apostolic impact in the world. He has seen first-hand the power of lay evangelization fueled by the institution of the Church.

Andre Lesperance The Evangelical Catholic, Senior Content Creator and Ministry Consultant

Andre Lesperance is a Senior Content Creator and Ministry Consultant for the Evangelical Catholic. He advises parishes in implementing the Evangelical Catholic's mission process, which he co-authored, delivers parish missions and training events, and continually works to expand the EC's formation and training materials. He has worked in Catholic ministry and education since 2003 and holds a master's degree in theology from Marquette University.

Andrea Jackson The Evangelical Catholic, Lead Content Creator and Ministry Consultant

Andrea Jackson is a Lead Content Creator and Ministry Consultant for the Evangelical Catholic. A graduate of Harvard University and Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, Andrea has a degree in English and a Master of Divinity. Andrea has worked in campus ministry and parish settings equipping parishioners for apostolic prayer and action in the world. Andrea is a co-author of the Evangelical Catholic's Reach More Mission Training curriculum for laity as well as accompanying training materials for staff and clergy.

Peter Andrastek The Evangelical Catholic, Senior Consultant

Peter Andrastek is a Senior Consultant with the Evangelical Catholic. He has worked in adult formation in the Church since 2003. Peter holds a Masters in Pastoral Theology from Ave Maria University. He has led retreats, workshops, and priest convocations, as well as teaching adult catechesis, graduate theology, and seminary courses. Peter has published articles in Notre Dame's Church Life Journal.

Visit us again for more details and updates on speakers and the conference schedule.

Conference Partners

The Evangelical Catholic

The Evangelical Catholic (EC) is a Catholic non-profit consulting ministry serving parishes, campus ministries, military chaplaincies, and thousands of individual Catholics across the nation. We equip people to live out the Great Commission and empower them to bring Jesus to the world as the salt and the light of their communities. We provide robust training materials and tailored coaching to supply expert care and support for our partners as they send Catholic laity into mission.

Catholic Leadership Institute

Catholic Leadership Institute provides bishops, priests, religious, deacons, and lay persons in the Roman Catholic Church with world-class, pastoral leadership formation and consulting services that strengthen their confidence and competence in ministry, enabling them to articulate a vision for their local church, to call forth the gifts of those they lead, and to create more vibrant faith communities rooted in Jesus Christ.

Strategic Sponsors

Decided Excellence

Decided Excellence Catholic Media is a print media company that specializes in Community and Parish magazines. We partner with parishes and Catholic Entrepreneurs to create a beautiful magazine for evangelization and communication. Through local business sponsorship, DE is concerned with bringing the Good news of Jesus Christ to homes and highlighting the actions of the Body of Christ in the local community.

Damascus

Damascus offers camps, retreats and resources that help people encounter Jesus and live the adventure of the Catholic faith.

DeSales Media

DeSales Media is a direct provider of Catholic news, events and original content through print, TV, digital and experiential, to engage Catholics and drive them to put their faith in action.

Platinum Sponsors

OSV

As the leading Catholic company in the US, OSV provides products and solutions to over 90% of Catholic parishes and serves every Catholic diocese in the country. The depth and breadth of products in software, fundraising, publishing, curriculum, consulting services and printing provide real value to individuals, parishes and dioceses as they move to strengthen and grow their mission and their individual Catholic faith. As a not-for-profit, mission-driven Catholic company, OSV has been championing the Catholic Church for over a century and will continue to listen to customers’ needs, providing solutions for them today and tomorrow.

Source and Summit

Source & Summit is a next-generation liturgy and music publisher, offering beautiful printed worship resources and an innovative digital platform designed to help inspire authentic liturgical renewal and advance the new evangelization. Our mission is to help every parish elevate the liturgy. Learn more at sourceandsummit.com.

ACST Catholic

ACST Catholic, a business of ACS Technologies, is devoted to serving and equipping Catholic parishes and dioceses with the tools to engage, inspire, and accompany their communities and form missionary disciples. By harnessing technology as a tool for connection and growth, we amplify ministry impact and foster more meaningful experiences that can lead to intentional discipleship.

Communio

Communio is a nonprofit ministry that trains and equips churches to share the Gospel through the renewal of healthy relationships, marriages, and the family.

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