Catholic Family Ministries’ annual Family Life Conference is a celebration of this sacred institution. Over its impressive 27-year history, this event at the Lac. Ste. Anne Pilgrimage site have given rise to new Christ-centred familial units.

“We've had quite a number of marriages that have taken place from youth who grew up attending the conference,” said Maurice Beier, the speaker coordinator for the faith-filled gathering June 27-30. “Some of them have thanked us for having this conference because they would have never met a good spouse otherwise.”

Case in point: the Beier family.

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Beier and his wife Vicki started this endeavour when their children were toddlers or a bit older. Now their offspring are all grown and are bringing their kids to the conference. Some of the children sit on the Catholic Family Ministries' board. Their son Brendan also serves as the conference ministries and volunteer coordinator, and his wife Samantha manages social media.

This iteration of the conference features a Catholic father with 10 children as the keynote presenter. Dr. Ray Guarendi is a clinical psychologist, author and professional speaker with a radio show, The Dr. Is In, which is heard on over 500 stations and Sirius XM, and a television series, Living Right With Dr. Ray, aired by Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN).

Beier anticipates attendees will respond well to Guarendi’s presentation style.

“He is very engaging,” said Beier. “He doesn’t mince words. What he says is truth, and he often says it in a funny way so that people may receive it better.”

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Guarendi is scheduled to deliver talks centred on standing strong as parents and grandparents, marriage and “the logic of being a Catholic.”

In March, Guarendi spoke to The Catholic Register about his new book How To Get Along with Almost Everybody, which prescribed practical strategies and relayed personal stories about pacifying potentially contentious interpersonal situations.

Other speakers at the conference include Amanda Achtman of Dying to Meet You, an online content cultural renewal project advocating against euthanasia; Dr. Patrick Craine, who becomes president of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College on July 1; and Kendra Von Esh, a Catholic author, faith coach and speaker.

Vicki Beier touted the power of Von Esh’s testimony. The host of the Reality Reflections podcast and contributor to Annunciation Radio fell away from God for many years and instead turned to drugs, alcoholism and other destructive behaviours. A powerful confession Divine Mercy Sunday, her first reconciliation experience in 27 years, ended with the priest warmly welcoming her home.

“She just lost it,” she said. “The tears were falling like rain, and she had a major conversion. She speaks to anyone who will listen, and she tells horrific stories about herself. She says, ‘people ask me why I talk about this.’ And she (responds), ‘if I can save one soul, that's what I want to do.’”

Complementing the speaker portions of the program are the liturgical elements. Mass will be celebrated during the four days by St. Paul Bishop Franken, Calgary Bishop William McGrattan, Fr. Paul Moret of Holy Trinity Church in Spruce Grove, Alta., and the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton.

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Praise and worship sessions will be hosted in the St. Anne Shrine throughout the day, the Rosary and the Angelus devotion prayed at 10:10 a.m. and noon, respectively, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be celebrated on night two.

For more information, visit https://www.catholicfamilyministries.com/.