BRUNSWICK — The 2023 Maine Catholic Men’s Conference is scheduled for Saturday, March 18.

The gathering will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the St. John’s Community Center on 43 Pleasant St.

“Be Strong in the Lord!” is this year’s theme, and will include time to pray, and listen to speakers and witnesses, according to a news release from Dave Guthro, communications director with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.

The event will conclude with a 4 p.m. Mass, celebrated by Bishop Robert Deeley, at St. John the Baptist Church, across the parking lot from the conference center.

Deacon Matt Halbach, who was ordained for the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa, in 2018, will be the keynote speaker. He serves as the executive director of catechesis for William H. Saldier, Inc. and is a nationally known speaker on the topics of mercy, accompaniment, evangelization and catechesis. He is also a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Advisory Council and holds a doctorate in catechetics from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Halbach is the author of many books, including “They Saw Through God’s Eyes: An Invitation from Mary and the Saints,” and “Missionary Discipleship: Pope Francis’ Heartfelt Call to Catholics Today.”

Registration for the conference is now open; there is no deadline. Admission is $70 and includes lunch. A special price of $85 is available for fathers and high school-aged sons who register together.

The Maine Catholic Women’s Conference is scheduled for May; more information will be released in the coming weeks.

To register or for more information, visit portlanddiocese.org.

Check out other upcoming area events!