Christ Our Life returns

September 18, 2024

Here we are: Just one week away from one of the largest Catholic faith conferences in the Midwest.

The Christ Our Life Catholic Conference held Sept. 28-29 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines is expected to draw thousands in person and online.

Since its debut in 2010, the Christ Our Life Catholic Conference has grown exponentially with new ways to draw in thousands of Catholics in person and online.

Now for the first time ever, all youth tickets—those typically sold for people ages 23 and younger—will be free of charge for recipients thanks to the extensive fundraising commitment made by Joe Lane, Sr., who serves as the volunteer conference director of development

While typically approximately 500 youth tickets are sold at $15 each—at a value of $7,500—Lane sought out donors who supported bringing more young people to the conference.

“They are, after all, the future of our faith,” says Lane. “I’m confident that many donors will recognize the value of this endeavor.”

Echoing this belief are co-founders and co-chairs Ellen Miller of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Indianola and Marilyn Lane, of Sacred Heart Parish in West Des Moines.

“We know the future of our faith is to catechize, support, and energize our youth,” said Lane. “While the conference, its world-class speakers and the sacraments, remain aimed at entire families, we’ve chosen to hold breakout sessions with several of the speakers whose topics in these youth sittings will directly appeal to where they are at in their young lives. We are pouring on even more effort to connect with youth ministers, RE instructors, and parishes to encourage our young Catholics to participate.”

The conference has grown from a regional gathering to an international event that will include worldwide livestreaming once again in addition to in-person attendance.

According to thousands of testimonials over the past 14 years, many lives have been dramatically changed by the caliber of the presenters and music and the focus on Catholicism, including the faith-filled reverence at Mass, Eucharistic procession, adoration, benediction and the sacrament of reconciliation.

In 2020 despite COVID, livestream participants represented some 18 countries. Total attendance was estimated at 2,300 in-person and 4,200 livestream. At COL2022, there were 3,600 in-person tickets sold and 14 countries represented in the 700 livestream tickets sold.

The conference this year will feature internationally renowned presenters: Father Robert Spitzer; Father Craig Vasek; Sister Josephine Garrett; Monsignor Stephen Rossetti; Jeff Cavins, and Jason Evert; along with Mary’s Meals’ Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow and his wife Julie, and Steve Angrisano.