LAKE CHARLES — The 13th annual Catholic Veritas Conference in the Diocese of Lake Charles will feature Father Aquinas Guilbeau, OP, as keynote speaker on Saturday, September 21. A native of Carencro, La., Father Aquinas is a friar of the Dominican Province of Saint Joseph. He is Vice President of Mission and Ministry for Catholic University of America where he also serves as University Chaplain.
Veritas, which is Latin for Truth, will take place at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Family Life Community Center, 3939 Kingston Street, with doors opening at 8:00 a.m.
This year’s theme is “The Life of Virtue.” St. Thomas Aquinas, namesake for Father Aquinas, wrote extensively and insightfully on the concept of human nature and the virtues.
The conference is an event for all adult Catholics, consisting of keynote addresses, breakout sessions, prayer, lunch and vendors. It begins with Mass at 8:30 a.m. in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 3939 Lake Street, followed by the Welcome and Keynote at 9:30 a.m. in the Community Center.
Father Aquinas is an accomplished scholar and preacher, completing his doctorate of theology on the “common good” at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. Before his appointment at CUA, Father Aquinas taught moral theology at the Dominican House of Studies and has worked for several Catholic media outlets, including Aleteia.org and EWTN Radio.
He will put the concept of virtue in easy-to-understand terms and offer practical advice on how to grow in virtue and grow nearer to God.
In addition to the keynote, other highlights include breakout sessions by local clergy and lay presenters. Returning this year will be two sessions in Spanish. Another returning favorite will be exhibits by local Catholic organizations, artists, and businesses.
Breakout session presenters include:
- Father Edward Richard, M.S., V.F. — speaking on the topic of virtue. Father Richard is Pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Sulphur and Dean of the West Deanery.
- Father Jeffrey Starkovich — helping us understand how to speak to young people about virtue and moral living. Father Starkovich is Pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Ragley.
- Father D.B. Thompson, JCL — presenting in Spanish. Father Thompson will cover Angelology. He is Promoter of Justice and serves as a judge in the Office of Tribunal.
- Canon Jean-Marie Moreau — speaking on the Spirituality of St. Francis de Sales. St. Francis is one of three co-patrons of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, of which Canon Moreau is a member. Canon Moreau is Rector of St. Francis de Sales Oratory in Sulphur.
- Father Levi Thompson — presenting in Spanish. Father Thompson is Parochial Vicar at St. Henry Catholic Church and Chaplain of the Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Lake Charles.
- Deacon Brian Soileau — speaking on the Closeness of Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration. Deacon Soileau is Director of Saint Charles Center and Camp Karol.
- Ann Vincent — We pray, we ask and struggle to hear Him give the answer. “Lord, can you write that down?” Bringing her insight from a lay perspective, Ann has been married 26 years and is a mother to five children ranging in ages 24 to 17. She is a parishioner of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
- Justin Sittig — speaking on the topic of Virtue of Religion. Justin is the father of three children and has been married for five years. He is a parishioner of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church.
Follow the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lake Charles Facebook page for updates on breakout session speakers.
Online registration is $30 per person through August 31 and $40 per person September 1 through noon September 20. On-site registration will be available at the door on the day of the event.
To register online, visit http://www.lcdiocese.org/resources/event-registration and click on Veritas Conference. Registration forms are also available in the parishes of the Diocese of Lake Charles and at the Office of Religious Education, 1201 Ryan Street, Lake Charles.
Cash (when paying in person) and check payments are accepted with paper registration. Call 337-439-7400, Ext. 200 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information. Please note that registration is non-refundable.
A limited number of box lunches may be purchased separately for $7.00 per lunch, which are pre-purchase only.
The conference schedule, which is subject to change, is as follows:
- 8:00 a.m. — Doors open, Registration and Exhibits in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Community Life Center, 3939 Kingston Street
- 8:30 a.m. — Mass in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 3939 Lake Street
- 9:30 a.m. — Welcome and Keynote: Father Aquinas Guilbeau, OP, Community Life Center
- 10:45 a.m. — Break and Exhibits
- 11:15 a.m. — Breakout Session I
- 12:00 p.m. — Lunch and Exhibits
- 1:10 p.m. — Drawings for door prizes
- 1:15 p.m. — Keynote: Father Aquinas Guilbeau
- 2:30 p.m. — Breakout Session II
- 3:30 p.m. — Conclusion
