Ave Maria University |
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Speakers
Bill Donaghy (web site)
Bill began working in the fields of mission and evangelization in the Philadelphia region in 1999. Through his previous work with the Pontifical Mission Societies, he's given hundreds of talks on the spirituality of mission to young people, sharing his experiences of missionary work in Haiti, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic, as well as parish and young adult ministry in the United States.
Through talks, retreats, and missions, Bill points to the very core of what we believe as Catholics; to the depths of the encounter, communion, and mission that God is calling each of us to in building "a culture of life" and a "civilization of love," in the words of Pope John Paul II.
Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (web site)
The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are well known for their YOUTH 2OOO Prayer Festivals. This order of young priests and brothers has taken seriously the Gospel message to give all they have to the poor and to follow Christ. Their simple life style, love of Christ, and service to the poor present to the young people a powerful witness of Christ living in today's world.
The mission of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal is first, to serve the materially poor, most especially the destitute and homeless. Friaries not primarily focused on formation should have one or more facilities to provide for the needs of the poor, for example, a shelter, soup kitchen, food pantry and/or clothing room. Each of these works must be directed by a friar to preserve the Catholic and Franciscan character. Every member of the community is to be personally and directly involved in "hands on" work with the poor. All service to the poor is given completely free of charge.
Secondly, the Friars' mission of evangelization in the Church is through preaching and teaching the Holy Gospel, and by sharing the rich treasures of our Catholic faith with all. This can take many forms so that every friar may assist in his own way. Some expressions of this apostolate are: providing missionary centers for the poor, street evangelization, parish missions, retreats, days of recollection, pilgrimages, spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, religious education and sacramental ministry.
Matt Smith (web site)
Matt Smith is the Director of Internet Ministries for Life Teen, an international Catholic youth ministry based in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the creative force behind Life Teen's cluster of websites that receive nearly 2 million visits a year. Since staring on MTV's "Real World" and MTV's "Road Rules Challenge", Matt has traveled the country speaking at colleges, universities, schools, and Catholic parishes. When he's not writing about his Catholic faith on lifeteen.com and ym.lifeteen.com, Matt writes for the NBA's the Phoenix Suns. Matt married his long-time girlfriend Candyce in the spring of 2007.