Speaker Father Scott Traynor chats about how hope and prayer strengthen men of faith in advance of annual men’s conference

Father Scott Traynor, vicar for lay and clergy formation for the Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will present two keynotes Feb. 22 at the Catholic Men’s Conference, titled “Dare to Hope: A Call to Prayer “at Saint John’s University in Collegeville. (For more information or to register, see below.)

DENVER, CO – AUGUST 24: Fr. Scott Traynor poses for a portrait at the Archdiocese of Denver on August 24, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Daniel Petty/A&D Photography)

Since his ordination in 2000, Father Traynor has also served as a pastor, a college chaplain, a seminary formator and rector and as a judge for the Sioux Falls marriage tribunal. In 2013 he published “The Parish as a School of Prayer: Foundations for the New Evangelization” in conjunction with the Institute for Priestly Formation. Father Traynor also serves as the executive director of Broom Tree Retreat Center. He is an experienced retreat master and spiritual director for priests, seminarians and lay people alike. He loves to help people learn how to pray — to cultivate a real, fruitful and deeply intimate relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Q: Why is this men’s conference one you’ve added to your busy schedule?

The Church in every generation needs to raise up men of faith to be successful in her mission of evangelization. This year’s theme of “Dare to Hope: a Call to Prayer” hits on themes that are especially important to me. In a time where the demographics of despair are so prevalent, the gift of Christian hope lived in a growing relationship with God in prayer is so important. I was delighted to find out we have such a large and well-developed men’s conference in our region, and I am honored to be part of a conference focusing on helping men be men of hope and prayer.

Q: How are your two keynotes focused?

The morning is on “Men of Hope: Awakening desire, strengthening trust.” The demographics of despair have exploded in the last five years. In this conference we will explore the baptismal gift of hope and its indispensable role in our lives as Catholic men. Christian hope is a powerful gift from God and greatly needed in our day. How can we live as men of hope and help others to do the same?

In the afternoon we shift to “Men of Prayer: Apart from me you can do nothing, remain in my love.” Do you have a personal relationship with God? Are you growing in your lived experience of his presence, power and love in your daily life? Hope leads us to pray, and prayer strengthens our hope. We will look at practical habits to deepen our “yes” to the daily adventure of growing in relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Q: In a nutshell, what’s your main message?

The Church needs men of hope and prayer. God is at work in each of our lives to increase our hope and draw us into a deeper relationship with himself in daily prayer.

Q: What do men need most in order to connect with the Lord? How can they do this?

We need to be convinced that apart from God we can do nothing, that God’s love is powerful and makes all the difference and that growing in love with God on a daily basis makes possible every other good thing that is meaningful, adventurous and fulfilling in our lives.

Q: When things may seem bleak, how do we cultivate hope in our lives?

When we say “yes” to the things that grow our relationship with God, the supernatural gift of hope is strengthened. When we prioritize prayer, frequent reception of the sacraments, a steady diet of the word of God, fellowship and service, hope is cultivated. 

Q: Will you offer suggestions for strengthening our prayer lives?

Yes, we will be talking about four essential habits — things we can practice every day — that help us grow in living intimate and unceasing union with God in prayer.

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JOIN US:

WHAT: Catholic Men’s Conference, “Dare to Hope: A Call to Prayer”

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22

WHERE: Saint John’s University, Collegeville; Bishop Neary celebrates Mass at 4 p.m.

COST: $40 or $35 each for groups of 5

FOR MORE INFORMATION or TO REGISTER, visit https://stcdio.org/event/catholic-mens-conference-2025/ by Wednesday, Feb. 12.

 

 

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Author: Nikki Rajala

Nikki Rajala is a writer/copy editor for The Central Minnesota Catholic Magazine.

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