Men from across the St. Cloud Diocese and beyond will gather Feb. 28 at Saint John’s University in Collegeville for the 29th Diocesan Catholic Men’s Conference.
This year’s theme, “Walking Together as Brothers: A call to authentic accompaniment,” reflects the event’s mission to foster spiritual growth and community. The conference is hosted by the diocesan Office of Marriage and Family.
“It’s definitely one of my favorite events,” said Janet Dusek, diocesan director of the Office of Marriage and Family. “I love to see all the guys come together and share that sense of companionship and their eagerness to grow spiritually.”
Craig Gould, program director of Notre Dame Vision, part of the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame, will be the keynote speaker.
“Christ is made manifest when we stand as the Body of Christ together,” Gould said. “I think it is true that perhaps the cardinal sin of men is covering our weakness instead of confessing it. The antidote to that is not eliminating weakness, it is finding men who can stand with us in that space.”
Gould, who served as coordinator of youth ministry at St. Mary Parish in Alexandria while earning a master’s degree in systematic theology at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, believes that men need words of wisdom, encouragement and friendship.
“It’s crucial for men to have other men walk with them,” he said, emphasizing the importance of brotherhood. “You can’t walk with anyone from afar, you have to be next to them, shoulder to shoulder. God has called these men to live in this moment, in this place — the Diocese of St. Cloud — in communion with Bishop Neary for the salvation of souls.”
Dan Pfannenstein, a member of St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud is helping plan the day’s activities and will be presenting a workshop on experiencing grief and loss and also carrying crosses in daily life.
Pfannenstein, who first attended the annual men’s conference with his dad at age 14, says one of his favorite parts of the conference is seeing men gather to pray with one another.
“Hearing the men sing and pray, especially at Mass, is a powerful thing,” he said.
The conference will also feature lunch, a vendor area and workshops on topics including mental health, parenting and social media. Bishop Patrick Neary will celebrate the Mass.
“Having events like this is vital to the Church. It allows people to gather together to pray, learn and experience community,” Pfannenstein said. “It’s really about creating space that we can draw together and grow in discipleship.”
Dusek, who has had a part in planning the men’s conference since 2017, noted the importance of creating opportunities for men to grow in their spirituality.
“Women are often good at finding things to do that feed them, and this is the perfect opportunity for men to do that, too,” she said. “They can count on who they’re going to see, and they can count on the quality that they’re going to get when they come each year.”
Gould, who now lives in Indiana, attended the men’s conference when he was working in the diocese and agrees that attending it is time well spent.
“I want men to know that taking time away from their family and their responsibilities for this day will be worth it,” he said. “It will make them better men for their families and spiritually stronger to handle what God has given them.”
If you go:
Date: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Saint John’s University, Collegeville
Cost: $40; Registration is required
More information: stcdio.org/event/catholic-mens-conference-2026.