The 18th annual Catholic Family Expo July 25-26 will be held in a new location – at Church of the Resurrection, Ellicott City. The weekend event offers speakers, shopping at vendor stations, breakout sessions, liturgies, renewal of marriage vows, a youth rally, eucharistic adoration, the sacrament of reconciliation, meals, benedictions and more.
“It’s somewhat of a showcase for the Archdiocese of Baltimore,” said Michele “Miki” Hill, who with her husband, Tim, established the Catholic Family Network at their Woodstock home in 1990. “There is something for everyone.”
Featured speakers will include Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, Bishop W. Francis Malooly, western vicar, a parenting expert, film and television writer, Catholic apologist, philosopher and author, along with others.
Archbishop O’Brien is scheduled to celebrate 5 p.m. Mass July 25.
Back by popular demand will be a youth rally with eucharistic adoration as well as the renewal of marriage vows during a Mass. Talks will cover a range of topics including defending the faith, prayer, home schooling, marriage building, parenting, Theology of the Body, fathering, managing your home and more.
“The expo is the tool to have time for prayer and understanding,” said Mrs. Hill. “How do I bring this home, and how will I live differently Monday morning?”
The parishioner of St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, Woodstock, is co-president with her husband and a committee of 12 couples for this and other expos in other states.
Exhibitors will cover a wide spectrum for shopping and information such as Catholic books, gifts, homeschooling materials, and information on Catholic high schools, colleges and ministries, and more.
Walk-ins are welcome for one or both days. Priests are admitted free of charge.
Father Carl F. Cummings, pastor of St. Agnes, Catonsville, told Mrs. Hill, “This is the best kept secret.”
Volunteers are still needed for the expo, and there is still time to register. At-the-door tickets are also available – $20 each or $35 per family. E-mail info@catholicfamilyexpo.org or call 443-539-4140 with questions.
The expo is “a way to reenergize and understand who we are as people and what it is to be a Catholic family or to be engaged as a Catholic couple,” said Mrs. Hill. “We’re looking at issues from age 9 to 90.”
Catholic Family Expo
July 25-26
Church of the Resurrection
Ellicott City
Registration
$20 individual pass
$35 family pass
free for priests
Speakers (partial list)
Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien
Dr. Jack Baronas
Bill Christiansen
Father David Engo, O.F.M. Cap.
Father Gerard Francik
Miki Hill
Dr. Peter Kreeft
Dr. Elizabeth Kreeft Turcic
Dr. Stephen Lay
Bishop W. Francis Malooly
Barbara Nicolosi
Patrick J. Reilly
James B. Stenson
Andrew Veverios
Liz Walz
Workshops and sessions (partial)
Homeschooling: Should We Do It?
So Why Do We Watch Movies Anyway?
Sacramental Forgiveness in the Family
Parenting Teens and College Kids
America’s Hope is in Catholic Education
Father/Daughter Team
Successful Parenting
Advice for Fathers
Homeschooling Choices
Home Management
Passing on the Faith to Your Children
Vendors (partial list)
Amish Tables
Ascension Press
Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Vocations Office
Arx Publishing
Benedictine Gift and Book Shop
Discovery Toys
Defend Life
Etimu Books / Miriam Ezeh
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Full Quiver Publishing
Gabriel network
Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home
Holy Family Press
Home School Ts
HSLDA
John Paul the Great Catholic University
Knights of Columbus
Laurelwood Books
Magdalen College
Maryland Catholic Conference
Miles Christi
Nippert and Co. Artworks
Our Lady’s Center
Pauline Books & Media
Pontifical Mission Societies
Suffering Servant Scriptorium
Usborne Books
Wendt Touring