Learning to be Catholic in a Broken World at the Tampa Bay Men’s Conference
"We are broken, yet put together by merciful love," said Fr. Carlos Rojas, one of the speakers at this year’s Men’s Conference.
"We are broken, yet put together by merciful love," said Fr. Carlos Rojas, one of the speakers at this year’s Men’s Conference.
On Saturday, March 1, 2025, around 500 men ages 13 and up gathered in Higgins Hall at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Tampa for the 15th Annual Tampa Bay Men’s Conference held by Suncoast Catholic Ministries. This year’s theme was “Being Catholic in a Broken World: Knowing. Defending. Evangelizing.”
The Men’s Conference offers Catholic men an opportunity to be formed in their faith and empowers them to courageously live the gospel through the sacraments. The day’s events featured Confession, praying the Rosary, Mass celebrated by Father Lou Turcotte, talks by several speakers including apologist Trent Horn.
Catholic vendors were also present throughout the conference and music was provided by Spirit FM 90.5, the broadcast ministry of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. Davis Watts, host of The Spirit FM Morning Show, also served as the conference’s emcee.
“I just think it's very important to evangelize in the world that we're in, and I just am thirsty to learn how to do that,” shared Scott Ginn, a veteran whose faith journey brought him from atheism to Catholicism
Horn’s sessions focused on the practicalities of living and sharing their faith in the world.
“I think it really puts into perspective what it means to be a good Catholic man, which is something we need in our seminary, something we need in priests,” added Matthew O’Neill, a first-year seminarian for the Diocese of Saint Petersburg.
Lukas Bosch, a young adult who recently converted to Catholicism, shared how the message of being Catholic in a broken world has impacted him. “It's realizing that the Church is the foundation and pillar of truth and knowing that it's made up of broken people, but it can serve a perfect purpose because we know that Jesus is our object of devotion and He can work through us despite our brokenness,” he said.
Lukas was joined by his friend Nathan Gonzalez, who also shared a similar sentiment. "I'm broken, but God has restored me through grace - especially in Confession and Communion - and with that grace I go out into the world and spread God's message.”
To learn more about Suncoast Catholic Ministries and stay informed about next year’s Men’s Conference, visit www.suncoastcatholicministries.com. To learn more about Spirit FM 90.5, visit www.myspiritfm.com. Spirit FM 90.5 is partially funded through donations to the Catholic Ministry Appeal. To learn more about the Catholic Ministry Appeal, visit www.dosp.org/catholicministryappeal.
