The five-day 2008 National Black Catholic Men’s Conference will kick off with a two days of song and praise with a revival for young men at the Lyke House-Catholic Center at the Atlanta University Center, on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 8-9, at 7 p.m.

The conference is focused on enhancing the spirituality of black men and supporting them in leadership roles in their church communities. It is building on the theme from the Gospel of St. John, “I have come so that you may have life, and have it abundantly.”

On Friday, Oct. 10, at 1 p.m., the conference moves to the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, located near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, 1900 Sullivan Road, College Park.

There will be multi-generational workshops and discussions to understand the major challenges facing teenagers and men and insightful ways for them to grow in their Christian faith.

Workshop topics include, “Male Bonding – Men Relating to Men” and “Building Powerful Families,” to “Keys to Sound Financial Planning.”

A conference Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 11, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, followed by a dinner that will be hosted by the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary of Atlanta. St. Anthony is located at 928 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., SW, Atlanta.

The fees for the conference are $125 for adults and $75 for youth (12-18 years old) and include breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday. For more details contact the Bowman Francis Ministry at (317) 259- 0144.

The Conference will be led by the Bowman Francis Ministry of Indianapolis. It is sponsored by the Society of the Divine Word, Chicago Province; the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus; the Knights of Peter Claver of Atlanta; and the Atlanta Archdiocesan Office for Black Catholic Ministry.