2021 Speakers
Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone
Bishop of Charleston
Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone was ordained and installed as the 13th Bishop of Charleston on March 25, 2009, in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, His motto is “Walk Humbly with Your God”
Father Donald Calloway, MIC
Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, a prominent Marian priest, exhibits an unmistakable zeal for the priesthood and devotion to Our Lady. He is a well-known conference speaker on Divine Mercy and the Blessed Virgin Mary. He speaks passionately about these topics in his moving conversion story. He is the editor of two books: The Virgin Mary and Theology of the Body and The Immaculate Conception in the Life of the Church. He has also authored eight books: Purest of All Lilies: The Virgin Mary in the Spirituality of St. Faustina, No Turning Back: A Witness to Mercy, Under the Mantle: Marian Thoughts from a 21st Century Priest, Marian Gems: Daily Wisdom on Our Lady, Mary of Nazareth: The Life of Our Lady in Pictures, Rosary Gems: Daily Wisdom on the Holy Rosary, and Champions of the Rosary: The History and Heroes of a Spiritual Weapon, Consecration to St. Joseph.
Sister Briege McKenna, O.S.C
Sister
Sr. Briege McKenna, O.S.C was born in Ireland and entered the Sisters of St. Clare at the age of fifteen. Following her final vows and after suffering for more than three years with rheumatoid arthritis, she was transferred to her community in Tampa, Florida with the hope that the Florida sunshine would relieve her suffering. At the age of twenty-four, she was miraculously and instantaneously healed during the celebration of the Eucharist and some time later received, in prayer, the gift of healing for which she has become so widely known. In 1974, again during prayer, she was given a deep spiritual insight into the mystery of the call to priesthood. Since then, bishops and priests in many parts of the world have invited her to speak and minister at their retreats and conferences. Sr. Briege ministered to priests in collaboration with Fr. Kevin Scallon, CM for over forty-two years until his death in June 2018. She now continues with this ministry. Her books “Miracles Do Happen” and “The Power of the Sacraments” have been translated into many languages throughout the world.
Matthew Leonard
Founder and President
Matthew Leonard is an international speaker, author, podcaster, and founder of Next Level Catholic Academy, an online membership community focused on teaching Catholic spirituality. An accomplished filmmaker, he has written, produced, directed, and hosted multiple best-selling Catholic video series such as the Bible and the Virgin Mary and Genesis to Jesus, which have been translated into almost a dozen languages. A convert to Catholicism and former missionary to Latin America, Matthew is a frequent guest on radio and television programs across the country. His podcast “The Art of Catholic,” is heard in more than 180 countries around the world. Matthew holds a Masters in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and is the author of two books, Louder Than Words: The Art of Living as a Catholic and Prayer Works! Getting A Grip On Catholic Spirituality. He lives in Ohio with his wife Veronica and their six children.
Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
Retreat Director, Exorcist
He is one of the eight founding members of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, founded in the spring of 1987. The apostolic mission of the Community is to save the materially poor, especially the destitute and homeless. Presently, the Community has over 120 members and 15 friaries around the world. Fr.Glenn Sudano is from Brooklyn, and briefly pursued a career in television before entering the Capuchins in 1978 with the encouragement of Father Groeschel
Fr. Glenn served as vocation director, novice master, and as community servant (Superior). He continues to serve the community and others through spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, spiritual deliverance ministry, preaching at parish missions and other forms of evangelizing. Fr. Glen has led retreats for private organizations and parishes throughout the United States and in Europe. He has appeared on EWTN, Relevant Radio, MaryTV of Medjugorje, and at Marian Conferences.
Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, STD
Papal Missionary of Mercy
Father Jeffrey Kirby, STD, is a Papal Missionary of Mercy, the Pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Indian Land, South Carolina, and a Senior Contributor to the Crux news site.
Father Kirby holds a doctorate in moral theology from the Holy Cross University in Rome and a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Father Kirby serves as an Adjunct Professor of Theology at Belmont Abbey College.
In 2016, Father Kirby was recognized by Governor Nikki Haley and granted the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, for his service to local communities and young adults throughout the state.
Father Kirby has authored several books, including Lord, Teach Us to Pray; Kingdom of Happiness: Living the Beatitudes in Everyday Life; We Are the Lord’s: A Catholic Guide to Difficult End-of-Life Questions;Thy Kingdom Come: Living the Lord’s Prayer in Everyday Life; and, the award-winning Doors of Mercy: Exploring God’s Covenant with You.
Father Kirby grew up in West Germany, backpacked through Europe while in graduate school, ran two marathons while in seminary, served in the Army National Guard, attended seminary in Rome, has crossed the Atlantic Ocean by ship, eaten breakfast in the White House, and served as a Guest Chaplain to the US House of Representatives.
More information on Father Kirby can be found at frkirby.com. He can be followed on Twitter @fatherkirby.
