“Inspiring men, by the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, to IGNITE their Catholic faith in everyday life."
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2025 SPEAKERS
Bear Woznick
Bear Woznick is the author of the Best Selling Books "12 Rules for Manliness - Where Have all the Cowboys Gone, ""Deep in the Wave - A Surfing Guide to the Soul" and "Deep Adventure - The Way of Heroic Virtue". Bear is also a two time World Tandem Surfing Champ and Legends Stand Up Paddle Surfing Champ - Sailing Captain, Adventurer. Sky Diver, Private Pilot, Ninja Black Belt, Distance Surfboard and Outrigger Canoe Paddler, Licensed in Scuba, Ran with the Bulls in Pamplona just to mention a few of his adventures. Tandem surfs with wife two or three times a week. This extreme sport involves lifting a woman of your head in acrobatic lifts while surfing. He is married and Father of four adult children.
Bear is the Host of EWTN's award winning motorcycle TV show "Long Ride Home with Bear Woznick" (also seen on Prime Video", the Host of EWTN's “The Bear Woznick Adventure Radio Show", heard by millions each week world wide on over 500 stations in nearly all 50 states.
Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck
Father Chase Hilgenbrinck hails from the Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, area where he grew up serving as an altar boy at Holy Trinity Parish in Bloomington. He was also a very gifted athlete.
He made the United States Under 17 National Team in high school and was named a high school All-American before moving on to play at Clemson University. While at Clemson, he was a four-year starter – helping the Tigers to the 2001 ACC Championship and four NCCAA Tournament berths including two Elite Eight appearances.
After graduating in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and international trade, he signed with the Chilean first team division soccer league. On a second division club in 2006, he helped the team achieve promotion to Chile’s top flight while winning the league title. He played the 2007 season in the first division while completing his fourth and final year in the Chilean league. In two of those years, he was selected the league’s most valuable player at the left full-back position. He also spent time with the Colorado Rapids and played for the New England Revolution in the United States Major League Soccer.
Yet he left this successful career as a professional athlete behind to become a Catholic priest – putting his love for God ahead of his love of soccer.
Ben Steele
Ben Steele is a former tight end and current coach in the National Football League (NFL) and serves as the tight end coach for the Arizona Cardinals. Steele’s journey in the NFL, both as a player and coach, has been marked by perseverance, dedication, and a deep commitment to his faith.
Steele's playing career saw him associated with several prominent NFL teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, and Houston Texans. Despite the challenges of moving between teams, Steele's determination and skill allowed him to make his mark. His tenure helped him develop a deep understanding of the game, laying a solid foundation for his future coaching career.
Transitioning from player to coach, Beyond his professional achievements, Ben Steele is also deeply committed to his Catholic faith, particularly through the practice and promotion of the Rosary. By making and distributing steel-beaded rosaries, Steele emphasizes the strength and significance of this spiritual practice, encouraging fellow coaches and players to incorporate prayer into their lives.
Steele's faith journey has been transformative. In the high-pressure environment of professional sports, he has found solace, focus, and resilience through the Rosary. His mission to promote this devotion among men is not only a testament to his personal faith but also an inspiring call for others to embrace the power of prayer.
A Message from Bishop Douglas Lucia
"As a local church, we welcome the jubilee year of 2025 while continuing to enjoy the grace of the Eucharistic revival. Like these great events, I am confident that our annual Catholic men’s conference will, yet again, prove to be a source of grace for those who attend and draw inspiration from the Sacraments, speakers, and the fellowship of believers.
I am hoping for better weather this year when we gather again at Bishop Ludden High School on March 29, where we will welcome Father Chase Hilgenbrinck, Bear Woznick, and Ben Steele. This day promises to be a day which will help us to Know the Lord and inspire and challenge us to be a missionary church. Please be sure to register early and invite others to join you for this important day."
Feedback from previous conferences:
“Thank you for the beautiful rosary as a Parish captain gift. I will put it to use today. The IGNITE conference was once again excellent.” – Gary, Baldwinsville
“We are so very blessed to have such a great event through which we get to be ‘re-charged’ in our faith.” - Mark, Camillus
“The conference was great, and I received many positive comments about it. One of our ‘rookies’ already signed up for next year. Thanks again for everything that you do.” – Ken, Binghamton
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