SACRAMENTS: Mysterious Encounters with Christ
AUGUST 27, 2022

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More about the conference 

Key note speakers include: 

Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, Author, National Speaker, Life Coach and Pilgrim Guide

Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers – known around the world as the “Dynamic Deacon” – is one of the most sought-after speakers in the Church today. He is a powerful and passionate evangelist and preacher, whose no-nonsense approach to living and proclaiming the Catholic faith will challenge and inspire those who hear him.

He travels across the United States and around the world speaking at conferences, workshops, retreats, parish missions, high schools, and young adult events – in short, to everyone who desires to know Jesus intimately and enjoy a deeper personal relationship with Him. His areas of expertise include marriage and family life, discerning the will of God, the sacraments, male spirituality, evangelization, prayer, and many others.

Deacon Harold holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Theological Studies Degree from the University of Dallas. He co-hosts the national weekly broadcast “Living Stones” on Mater Dei Radio. Deacon Harold has appeared in the major feature film Power in My Hands and is the creator of Walk by Faith Wednesday Webinars, a weekly hour of Catholic catechesis and teaching.

In addition, he is the host or co-host of several popular series on EWTN television and is featured on the award winning Chosen faith formation program by Ascension Press. Deacon Harold is the author of five books, including Behold the Man: A Catholic Vision of Male Spirituality, Father Augustus Tolton: The Slave Who Became the First African-American Priest, and the acclaimed new book Our Life of Service: The Handbook for Catholic Deacons.

Retaining a deep love of Benedictine spirituality which he gained during his time discerning a call to that religious community, Deacon Harold is a Benedictine Oblate of Mount Angel Abbey. He is also a member of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars and the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy.

Monica Ashour, MTS, HHM, President, Theology of the Body Evangelization Team (TOBET)

Holding two Masters from the University of Dallas—one in Theological Studies and one in Humanities, Monica Ashour is an international speaker, author of 28 books, President and Director of Content Creation for the Theology of the Body Evangelization Team, known as TOBET. Named in 2010 by the Catholic National Register as one of the top six speakers on Saint John Paul’s seminal work known as the Theology of the Body, Monica and her team have completed a pre-school through 8th-grade program called The Body Matters for schools, faith formation, and family catechesis. It has been called a “game-changer.”

Monica was awarded by the Catholic Press Association for Honorable Mention—First Time Author of a Book, Everybody Has Something to Give. She also received the Excellence in Publishing Award for Children’s Books for her Every BODY Has a Body: God Made Us to Love, from her series called ToB for Kids for 4-7 year-olds and ToB for Tots for 2-5 year-olds, (Pauline Books and Media). Monica and her team wrote the Theology of the Body Marriage Preparation program, lauded by Cardinal Dolan of New York and Archbishop Aquila in Denver. Available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, this marriage prep program is used throughout the nation.

In May 2015, Miss Ashour was a participant for an ad hoc committee in Washington DC for the Pontifical Council for the Family. In November 2011, Monica presented a talk “Teaching TOB to Teens” at the Theology of the Body International Symposium in Rome. She was also a participant in the International Summit on Lay Leadership with Cardinal Arinze in Rome.

Before becoming an international speaker, Monica served as a campus minister at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Texas A&M University from 1996 to 1999. There she launched the now nationwide Nun Run, in which young women travel around the nation visiting convents. Before and after her stint at St. Mary’s, Monica enjoyed 20 years teaching theology and literature in grade school and high school classrooms. Monica was the recipient of Bishop (now Cardinal) Farrell’s 2008 Pro-Life Award for Civic Action and was named to the Hall of Fame for her alma mater, Nolan Catholic High School in Ft. Worth. Monica enjoys discussion groups, exercise, bridge, and coaching softball.

Very Rev. Simeon Spitz, OSB, Subprior, St. Gregory's Abbey

Father Simeon made his first profession of vows on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, January 6, 2010, and Solemn Vows in 2013.  Fr. Simeon completed his theological studies at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 31, 2014.  

Fr. Simeon was born in Elk City, Oklahoma, and spent most of his youth in the western Oklahoma town of Canute.  He holds bachelors’ degrees in philosophy and political science from St. Gregory’s University.  He completed a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA.  Fr. Simeon has completed all of the coursework for a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (S.S.L.) at the prestigious Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, and is working on his thesis to complete the degree.

Since his ordination, Fr. Simeon has provided pastoral assistance at parishes around Oklahoma on the weekends, and has been a popular speaker at the Archdiocesan Catholic Summer Youth Camp at Our Lady of Guadalupe Camp and at parish youth groups.  He served for two years as Vice President for Mission and Chaplain for St. Gregory’s University.  

Fr. Simeon serves as the Abbey Vocation Director.  In addition to these duties, he is the director of Abbey enterprises and manager of the St. Joseph Workshops at the Abbey.  He directs and is the primary worker in the Abbey bee-keeping and honey harvest operation, and in raising blackberries and the production of jam and jelly for sale to the public.