800 attend Catholic Men's Conference

Crowd at Men's Conference. Master of ceremonies Dan Clark at left

Eight hundred men were completely silent for several minutes for a eucharistic adoration added this year at the Northeast Ohio Ca\tholic Men’s Conference on Saturday at Rhodes Arena on the University of Akron campus.

Deacon Ralph Poyo, one of the main speakers, presided.

Deacon Poyo added another stirring moment as he ended his afternoon talk. Men were asked to pick a partner and lay hands on his shoulder to give him a blessing. They then traded places to bless their partner.. The extended blessing ended wih the blessing of Aaron.

Theme of Poyo's morning talk was “How strong are you?”

The other speaker, Doug Barry, gave an animated talk, pointing to the crucifix which was in the center of the stage. “This crucifix is our inspiration.’ he said.

Former Notre Dame and Akron U coach Gerry Faust as usual called all priests and deacons to the stage and led a sustained round of applause for their work. Among those on the stage was the Rev. Fr. Matt Ischay of St. Paul.

Other speakers included Nick Nolti of Our Lady of the Rosary in Lowellville, OH, the Rev, Fr, Jay McPhillips on Reconciliation and Dan D’Andea and Greg Frank on Right to Life.

Multiple confessors were available for Reconcliation at the end of the morning session. After lunch, the men joined in saying the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary.
Poyo and Barry spoke again at the afternoon session.

The session closed with Mass at 4 p.m. by the most Rev, George V. Murry of the Youngstown Diocese and Bishop Roger W. Gries, auxiliary bishop of the Cleveland Diocese.

There were 735 pre-registered for the conference being held at Rhodes Arena for the frst time.

Attending from St. Paul were Paul Bungholda, Scott Byrne, Chris Cochran, John Cochran, Bob Considine, Chuck Deger, Rudy DiDonato, Harry Liggett, Ron McAvoy, Dennis Murphy, Hank Richards, Bob Robinson, Frank Solinski, Jim Vondemkemp and John Withrow

Dan Clark of Canton radio station WILB was again master of ceremonies and the Power of Praise band provided music

Click here to see brief biographies of Royo and Barrry

Please click here to see an album of photos from the conference.

View of St. Paul row from both sides at Men's Conference