Next Conference

October 11 - 13, 2024

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The Truth & Beauty of Vatican II

Catholic Family Conference

What was the purpose of Vatican II? What does the council teach? Why is it so important?

Join us for this Catholic family conference to discover the truth and beauty of Vatican II. During the Totus Tuus Family Conference℠, you will grow in love for our Eucharistic Lord. You'll deepen your knowledge of the truths of the Catholic Faith. And you'll be equipped to more fully embrace your role as a lay person in the Church.

Join us foR

A Grace-Filled Weekend

  • Loved by God

    Experience God’s personal love for you through Mass, Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, a Candlelight Rosary Procession, and more.

  • Formed in the Truth

    Go deeper into the truths of our Catholic Faith through inspiring speakers and age-appropriate programs for children and youth.

  • Sent into the World

    Leave with renewed zeal for God and the practical tools you need to defend, live, and share your Catholic Faith with others.

Totus Tuus Speakers

2023 Adult SPEAKERS
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Deacon Patrick Lappert

Chaplain, Surgeon, Convert, Navy and Marine Veteran

Patrick W. Lappert, MD, is chaplain for Courage in the Diocese of Birmingham and divides his time between his private practice of plastic surgery and serving as deacon at Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church in Decatur, Alabama. Deacon Lappert was raised in a Jewish home, but lived most of his adult life as an atheist. He converted and was received into the Catholic Church in 1995. As a certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Lappert established the Craniofacial Reconstructive Surgery Unit, as well as the Wound Care Center for the largest medical-treatment facility in the world. A veteran of the Naval Service, he retired with the rank of Captain, USN, after serving for twenty-four years. He also served for three years with the United States Marine Corps, flying in the F4 Phantom with VMFA-451. Deacon Lappert has been married to Patrice Ann Oberst for 42 years. They have six grown children and one grandchild.

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Peter Kreeft, Ph.D.

Professor, Author, Speaker

Speaking on "Culture War"

Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, is one of the most respected and prolific Christian authors of our time. His books cover a vast array of topics in spirituality, theology, and philosophy. They include Doors in the Walls of the WorldThe Greatest Philosopher Who Ever LivedWisdom from the PsalmsHow to Destroy Western CivilizationHow to Be Holy, Because God Is Real, You Can Understand the Bible, Summa of the Summa, and more than 90 others.

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Dr. Ralph Martin

Professor, Author, Speaker

The Truth & Beauty of Vatican II

Dr. Martin received his BA from the University of Notre Dame in Philosophy and did Graduate work on a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship in Philosophy at Princeton University. He received his MA in theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary and has been on the faculty since 2002. He holds a S.T.L. degree from the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. and an S.T.D. in systematic theology from the Pontifical Faculty of St. Thomas Aquinas (The Angelicum) in Rome. He teaches in the areas of systematic theology, spirituality and evangelization and is Director of Graduate Theology Programs in the New Evangelization which includes the STL program as well as the New Evangelization concentrations in the MA and MAPS programs.

He has published widely and is engaged actively in Catholic evangelization through the non-profit organization Renewal Ministries, of which he is president. His latest books are The Urgency of the New Evangelization: Answering the Call Will Many Be Saved?, What Vatican II Actually Teaches and Its Implications for the New Evangelization and The Fulfillment of All Desire: A Guidebook for the Journey to God Based on the Wisdom of the Saints.

In December of 2011 Pope Benedict XVI appointed Dr. Martin as a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. In 2012 Dr. Martin was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as an "expert" for the World Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization.

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Abby Johnson

Pro-Life Activist

Abby Johnson has always been fiercely determined to help women in need. This desire is what led Abby to a career with Planned Parenthood, our nation’s largest abortion provider, and caused her to flee the organization, becoming an outspoken advocate for the pro-life movement.

Today, Abby travels across the globe sharing her story, educating the public on pro-life issues, advocating for the unborn, and reaching out to abortion clinic staff who still work in the industry. She is the founder of And Then There Were None, a ministry designed to assist abortion clinic workers in transitioning out of the industry. To date, this ministry has helped over 600 workers leave the abortion industry.

Abby lives in Texas with her husband and eight precious children.

2023 Youth SPEAKERS

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Fr. Kevin Barrett

Chaplain for the AFC

Fr. Kevin Barrett was born in Chicago, IL, the youngest of 5 children in an Irish American Catholic family. After college he worked at Northwestern University Hospital in Chicago, first in the Institute for Psychiatry, and later in the emergency room. He also spent 3 years working as a paramedic in the Chicago Fire Department. Both work experiences hastened a much needed conversion, prompted by both his earthly and heavenly mothers! After pilgrimages to Lourdes, France and Fatima, Portugal, he began serving with the AFC in 1982. Upon completing his seminary studies, Fr. Kevin was ordained a priest by Pope St. John Paul II and served as chaplain of the AFC until 2016. Fr. Kevin then spent five years in missionary parish work in the Diocese of Cheyenne, Wyoming, before resuming the role of AFC Chaplain in 2020. Fr. Kevin holds degrees in psychology, theology, and Christian counseling.

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Bob Rice

Deacon, Professor, Speaker

Bob Rice loves being Catholic. He is a husband, father of seven, permanent deacon for the diocese of Steubenville, and Professor of Catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has a PhD in Theology from Liverpool Hope University where he researched Catholic youth and evangelization. Deacon Bob is a highly sought after presenter at parish missions, youth conferences, men’s conferences, young-adult gatherings, and catechetical workshops. He has authored many books and articles, including the Discipleship Quad Guidebooks, and a novel about St. Peter titled, Between the Savior and the Sea. He is the co-host of a popular weekly podcast called They That Hope with Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR. Bob has recorded numerous CDs (his music can be found on Apple Music, Spotify, and others) and leads worship for over ten thousand people every year, mostly through the Steubenville Adult Conferences. You can find out more about him at deaconbobrice.com.

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Kim Zember

FOUNDER OF UNFORGOTTEN FACES

Kim is passionate about sharing the love, freedom and restoration found through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Whether in her hometown of San Diego or her ‘home away from home’, Ethiopia, she is sharing the love and redemption of life through Jesus. Kim shares her testimony of living a homosexual lifestyle and the radical transformation of her life through a relentless pursuit of a relationship with her Bridegroom Jesus. Kim is extremely passionate about seeing all people experience the radical love of Jesus. She believes that turning her life inside out for all to see shows how the Lord has and continues to set the captives free! She feels deeply that authenticity with one another in God’s love and truth is so needed today more than ever. When Kim is not in the States, she is most likely found in Ethiopia surrounded by her 80+ children through the non-profit, Unforgotten Faces, she started when she was 23 years old.

It was truly an inspirational and spiritually moving experience for everyone in my family.Susan, mom of 2

Catholic Familyland®

A Place Set Apart for Families

The Totus Tuus Family Conference takes place at Catholic Familyland®—a place set apart for families and home of the Holy Family of Fatima Prayer Site. As a pilgrim to these holy grounds, we invite you to let go and let God, so that you can experience His grace in a powerful new way.

Practical Information

You Probably Want to Know

The Totus Tuus “Consecrate Them in Truth” Family Conference is packed with prayer, faith-filled programming, the sacraments, and more. To get a better understanding of when different activities will happen, check out the sample schedule below (subject to change).

2023 Conference Schedule

Friday

12:00–10:00 p.m. Check-In outside of St. Josep Conference Center
2:00–5:30 p.m. Bounce House & Slide
2:00–5:30 p.m. Petting Zoo
2:00–5:30 p.m. Evangelization Bookstore
3:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet
3:00–4:30 p.m. Sacrament of Confession
3:00–8:30 p.m. Papa C’s Coffee Shop
4:00–5:30 p.m. Dinner
6:00 p.m. Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
7:00 p.m. Welcome By Randy & Diane Christensen
7:30–9:00 p.m. Sacrament of Confession
7:30–9:00 p.m. Evangelization Bookstore
7:20-7:50 p.m. National Pilgrim Virgin Statue By Thomas Ross
8:20–10:00 p.m. MARAD’s Out (ages 13-14)
8:20–10:30 p.m. MARAD’s Inn (ages 15–18)
8:20–10:30p.m. Young Apostles (ages 19–22)
8:20–10:30 p.m. Laborers in the Vineyard (ages 23+)

Saturday

7:30–9:00 a.m. Concession Stand
8:00 a.m. Check-In in the St. Joseph Conference Center Information desk
9:00 a.m. Holy Sacrifice of the Mass St. Joseph Auditorium
10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Papa C’s Coffee
10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Concession Stand
10:00 a.m.–12:25 p.m. Children’s Ministry (ages 4–12)
10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. MARAD’s Out (ages 13-14)
10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. MARAD’s Inn (ages 15–18)
10:00 a.m.–7:15 00 p.m. Evangelization Bookstore
10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Sacrament of Confession Available
10:30 a.m.–6:45 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration
10:30 a.m. The Truth & Beauty of Vatican II St. Joseph Auditorium By Dr. Ralph Martin
11:30 a.m. Gender Ideology & the Heresy of Scientism by Deacon Patrick Lappert, MD
11:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Petting Zoo
11:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Bounce House & Slide
12:30–1:30 p.m. Lunch
2:00–6:00 p.m. Sacrament of Confession
2:00 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration with Praise Music
3:00 p.m. Benediction
3:15–5:40 p.m. Children’s Ministry (ages 4–12)
3:15–5:45 p.m. MARAD’s Out (ages 13-14)
3:15–5:45 p.m. MARAD’s Inn (ages 15–18)MARAD’s Inn
3:20 p.m. Why AFC? Strengthening the Family By Randy Christensen
3:45 p.m. Theology of the Body Transformed My Marriage by Abby Johnson
4:45 p.m. Culture War By Dr. Peter Kreeft
5:45-6:45 p.m. Dinner
7:15–8:15 p.m. Candlelight Rosary Procession
8:15–10:00 p.m. MARAD’s Out (ages 13-14)
8:15–10:30 p.m. MARAD’s Inn (ages 15–18)
8:15–10:30 p.m. Young Apostles (ages 19–22)
8:15–10:30 p.m. Laborers in the Vineyard (ages 23+)

Sunday

8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Concession Stand
8:45–9:45 a.m. Sacrament of Confession
8:50 a.m. Be Not Afraid Family Hour®
10:00 a.m. Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Papa C’s Coffee
11:15 a.m. Closing Remarks & Raffle Drawing
11:30–2:30 p.m. Evangelization Bookstore
12:00–1:30 p.m. Lunch

Lodging Information

Everywhere You Can Stay

When you come for a Totus Tuus Family Conference, you can stay at Catholic Familyland® in one of our family cabins or campsites, or at a nearby hotel (about a 20-minute drive).

Lodging for the Totus Tuus Family Conference is located in two main areas of our property:

1. St. James Field—72 wooden cabins and 2 bathhouses
2. Holy Family Park—4 wooden cabins, 11 cinder block cabins, 60 campsites, and 2 bathhouses

If you plan to stay in a cabin, please be aware that none of our cabins include running water, toilets, or sinks. However, nearby bathhouses and drinking water spigots will be available for your use throughout the event.

  • Sleeps 9
  • 1 double bed with mattress
  • 2 sets of bunk beds with mattresses
  • Loft that sleeps 3–4 kids (no mattresses)
  • Refrigerator (full size with freezer top)
  • Microwave
  • Air conditioner
  • Heater
  • Indoor table with 2 benches
  • Several 3-prong electrical outlets
  • Changing room
  • Clothing hooks and clothes pole (no hangers)
  • Smoke detector
  • Broom and dust pan
  • On-site parking

Items for Preparation

Packing & Food

Here are a few items you'll want:

• Snacks for the trip (yum)
• Sleeping bags or bedding
• Modest, casual clothing
• Toiletries
• First aid kit
• Paper plates, bowls, and cups
• Meals you will eat during the weekend (unless you got the meal package or plan to eat at the concession stand)
• Rosaries (you’ll be using them this week!)
• Anything else you think you might need
And of course, don’t forget the kids!

FAQs

By Category

After I register, will I receive a confirmation?

Yes, once you submit your registration, we’ll send you a confirmation email within 1–2 weeks.

A few weeks before the event, we will send you another email letting you know when and where to check in.

What is your payment policy?

Payment for your registration package is due at the time you register.

Full payment is due no later than 60 days before the event start date. Within this 60-day period, if the credit card transaction is declined, you will have 7 days to correct the situation before your registration is cancelled and your lodging is opened up to another family.

We appreciate initial payment of the full amount, as it helps us procure items to prepare for the event, but it is not required.

What is your refund /cancellation policy?

Cancellations which occur 60 or more days before the event start date will receive a full refund minus $100 non-refundable deposit.

Cancellations which occur 30–59 days before the event start date will receive a 50% refund on registration and lodging costs and 100% refund on meal plans.

Cancellations which occur 14-29 days before the event start date will receive no refund on registration and lodging costs and 100% refund on meal plans.

No refunds will be given within 14 days of the event start date. Payments that are lost due to cancellation are nontransferable.

I am a single parent. Can my family come?

Yes, single parents (divorced, separated, widowed, or otherwise) and their families are welcome to attend the Totus Tuus Family Conference. We want you to know—in a special way—that the Church loves and supports you.

Are your events for families only? Or are singles, widowed people, & grandparents also welcome?

Yes, singles, widowed people, and grandparents are welcome to attend any of our events!

Can I bring a friend?

Yes! When you register your family, please register your friend(s) or other persons who will be accompanying and staying with your family for the event.
Any non-family member under 18 will need to have a parent fill out and submit a Child Release of Liability Form.

Separate registration fees apply for non-family members (children and adults).

Can a priest come to this conference? What about lodging & meals for him? What will he do during the event?

Yes, priests are most welcome to attend any of our events! They are free to attend alone or come with a family.

We ask that each priest register by filling out our Visiting Priest Form online. We will be happy to provide a retreat room and meals for the weekend at no charge.

The priest (or the family who invited him) is welcome to make a freewill offering to cover food and lodging expenses through our online donation page. (Please make a note in the comment box “For Fr. ______’s stay”).

As part of their registration, each priest must submit a letter of good standing to both of the following entities:

ATTN: Rev. Bradley Greer
Diocese of Steubenville
422 Washington St.
P.O. Box 969
Steubenville, OH 43952
Fax: 740–282–3327

ATTN: Renèe Scheu
Apostolate for Family Consecration
3375 County Rd 36
Bloomingdale, OH 43910
Fax: 740 567-7725

We invite all priests to concelebrate at Mass each day and to help administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Since we do not have enough albs for all the visiting clergy, we ask that priests bring their own albs. Priests are also welcome to participate in any activities taking place during the event.

Extra Paperwork

Not Applicable to All

Child Release of Liability Form

(required for non-family members under 18)
Download

Letter & Form for Parents of Children with Special Needs

Download