Men motivated to be bold leaders, disciples of Christ at conference

A spark of faith ignited in men as they listened to dynamic speakers, received the Eucharist at Mass, spent time with Jesus in a Eucharistic procession, and prayed over each other at the Men of the Immaculata Conference on Feb. 17 at St. George Church in Baton Rouge. As they left with renewed energy – laughing, shaking hands, and clasping each other on the shoulder – it was apparent they were ready to spread the flame of faith to their families, churches, and communities. 

Speaker Father Larry Richards, author of “Be a Man! Becoming the Man God Created You to Be” (Ignatius Press 2009) and founder and president of the Reason for Our Hope Foundation, set the vibrant pace of the conference, which drew approximately 1,000 men, with a “no holds barred talk” about spiritual warfare. He urged attendees that “if you are going to be a man, you need a sword.  



“And St. Paul says the Word of God is the sword, so we try to enter into battle with the world with a sword of the spirit, so we need to get a Bible,” Father Richards said. 
“I have a saying, ‘No Bible, no breakfast, no Bible, no bed,’” he added. 

Forewarning the men that he was not there to “tickle their ears and make them feel good, but to help them get to Heaven,” Father Richards told them they had two choices: “to be saints” or “be in danger of going to hell.” If participants are asked to list their top ten goals, the top one should be to go to heaven, emphasized Father Richards. 



Referring to the conference theme, “Behold the Lamb of God,” Father Richards noted that going through the motions and doing all the right things, such as praying the rosary, going to Mass, and other spiritual activities, don’t in themselves make men holy, especially if they don’t share God’s love. 

“God is love. We must become love in a world that doesn’t know love,” Father Richards said. 

He admonished the men to let their wives and children know they love them and why. 



The second speaker of the day, pro-life advocate Mark Houck of Kintnersville, Penn., urged the men to pick up their crosses and follow Jesus no matter the cost. 
Houck, a radio show host and father of seven, made headlines in 2022 when he was arrested and indicted on federal charges related to shoving an escort outside of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Philadelphia. Houck maintains the escort harassed his son, so he defended him. 



Houck said armed FBI agents came to his home at 7 a.m. on Sept. 23, 2023, and repeatedly rang the doorbell and pounded on the door, yelling, “Open up!” He told the agents to remain calm because children were in the house, and he came out and showed them his hands and inquired why they were there. The agents said he was charged with violating the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act). Despite insisting he’d done nothing wrong, Houck was handcuffed and placed in a police car as his family looked on.  

Houck realized during the ordeal, which included being put in a belly and feet shackles after being taken into custody and hearing accusations against him, “I was never closer to Christ in my entire life. I was at the foot of the cross.” 

Through it all, Houck said he had the unwavering support of his wife Ryan Marie and many who prayed for him. 

He added that he had peace in heart and was vindicated when a grand jury acquitted him after only an hour of deliberation. 

Houck urged the attendees to support each other in their efforts to be authentic Catholic men and to embrace their roles as leaders, protectors, and providers by “combating the evils of pornography and abortion” in society. 

Following Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael G. Duca and lunch, men participated in a Eucharistic procession led by the bishop around the St. George campus. 

The final speaker of the day was Deacon Michael Parker, business administrator of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in St. Amant and Baton Rouge director of Vagabond Missions, which brings the gospel to inner city teens.   

Deacon Parker strongly urged the men to get outside of their comfort zones and be involved with their families, churches, and communities. 

The deacon noted there has been confusion on what men’s job is in their families and society. He emphasized men’s primary role is to get others to heaven (if married, especially their wives and children). 

Citing statistics given by Catholic convert and theologian Dr. Scott Hahn, Parker noted the chances of children reverting or converting into the Catholic faith is highest when the father reverts or converts (92 percent). 

Deacon Parker challenged the men to use their gifts of the Holy Spirit and testify. 
“If we are pointing people to Jesus, we see mountains moved, we see people find truth, we see people find happiness,” said Deacon Parker. 

The conference concluded with some final words and a prayer from Bishop Duca who then announced, “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.”