Eucharistic Congress: Saturday, June 21
Published June 5, 2008
General Track
Speakers in the General Track include Father Tim Hepburn, Steve Ray, Dr. Helen M. Alvaré, Bishop-emeritus William G. Curlin and Matthew Kelly. Russ Spencer, a veteran award-winning news journalist and evening anchor for FOX 5 News in Atlanta, will be emcee.
Steve Ray is producer of the 10-part video/DVD series story of salvation from Abraham to Augustine, “The Footprints of God.” He has been a guest on Catholic Answers Live and FOX News. A convert to Catholicism, Ray is the author of three books, “Crossing the Tiber,” “Upon This Rock” and “St. John’s Gospel.”
Dr. Helen Alvaré is an associate professor of law for George Mason University. She has represented the American Catholic bishops in television, radio, print media and public lectures. In May she was appointed as a consultor to the Pontifical Council for the Laity by Pope Benedict XVI.
Bishop-emeritus William G. Curlin is the retired bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte, N.C. He founded the Mount Carmel House for homeless women and was the chaplain for Gift of Peace for those ill with AIDS.
Hispanic Track
Bishop Gabino Miranda-Melgarejo is the auxiliary bishop of Ayacucho, Perú, and currently serves as the president of the Committee of Youth and Young Adults for the Episcopal Conference of Peru.
Bishop Daniel Flores, the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit, was ordained to the priesthood in 1988 for the Diocese of Corpus Christi.
Father Octavio Díaz-Villagrana was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and entered the ecclesial movement of the Apostles of the Word in 1992. He was ordained in 2000. In September 2001, he founded the Bible Theological Institute. He also teaches at the Interreligious Seminary in Mexico City.
Francisco Magno Castrejón, emcee, serves as the coordinator of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement in Spanish.
Vietnamese Track
Bishop Stephanus Tri Buu Thien is the coadjustor bishop of the Diocese of Can Tho in South Vietnam, where Catholics comprise about 3 percent of the population, with approximately 150 priests and 131 parishes.
Father Anthony Vu Van Triet is the pastor of Vi Hung Church, Vietnam, and an experienced speaker on the Eucharist.
Deaf Track
Father Jeremy St. Martin was ordained in the Archdiocese of Boston, learned American Sign Language, and now coordinates the Office for Deaf Catholics in the Boston Archdiocese.
Teen Track
For teenagers attending the Congress, the Teen Track offers Over the Top Ministries, Matthew Kelly, Curtis Stephan and band, and emcee Mike Ragan.
Over the Top Ministries is made up of Anne Marie Cribbin and Justin Russell, youth ministers from Maryland, who offer comedy through music and storytelling and a personal witness about living as a disciple of Christ.
Mike Ragan, emcee, is a parish high school youth ministry and middle school religion teacher who blends knowledge and humor to reach out and share the Catholic faith with young people.
Kid Track
The Donut Man, whose real name is Robert C. Evans, is a Catholic children’s singer-songwriter. Known for his fun Bible story-songs presented through DVDs, audio CDs and live concerts, he is called the Donut Man because “life without Jesus is like a donut; there’s a hole in the middle of your heart.”
Closing Mass
The Eucharistic Congress will conclude with the celebration of the Vigil Mass at 5 p.m. in the main hall at the convention center. The principal celebrant will be Archbishop Gregory.