The Parents for Education Foundation, Inc. (PAREF), a network of 16 schools based in the Philippines, in partnership with EWTN, Parousia Media, and Steubenville Conferences of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, is organizing the third Jesus-Centered Life (JCL) International Conference on December 8, 2022.
In celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Catholic Church’s Second Vatican Council, whose “ultimate purpose,” according to St Pope Paul VI, is the universal call to holiness, the Conference theme is “Holy and Heroic: The Courage to be Catholic”.
With over 30 years in his ministry, international speaker Mr. John Beaulieu from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, USA, will speak on how Catholics can be heroically holy in their daily struggles. An expert in youth evangelization, John Beaulieu has worked in the Christian Outreach Office of Franciscan University, and presently is its Director for Evangelization and Engagement.
In a recent press conference held on November 11 with Mr. John Beaulieu, Dr. Raul Nidoy, and Mr. Danny Moran, the panel talked about how we can grow stronger and more courageous as we move on to the post-pandemic era. “We are slowly going back to how our lives used to be, but it’s not as simple as we thought,” according to PAREF Chair and President Danny Moran. He said that many changes and new challenges have occurred whether it be in the business sector or one’s own spiritual life.
Moran believes it’s important to ask ourselves, “What are these difficulties [now], and how do we cope with all of these things? There has to be a lot of adjustments, but the bigger challenge is how we can be holy and heroic in this era.” He suggested beginning wherever we are – at home, in our daily lives, facing the situations that we encounter daily. Whether it’s academic, athletic, or even professional, there has to be a lot of adjustments.”
While he is excited to share what it means to be holy and heroic in this era, Beaulieu stresses that despite the challenges and hardships presented by the post-pandemic era, we have to entrust our fears to the Lord, quoting Joseph Piper who once said: “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”
To do this, the conference speaker heavily encouraged the need to pray, read the Bible and frequent the Sacraments “to put us in contact with the living Word of God” as a means of entering Him. “This is so important: receive the sacraments. They give grace to us and draw us closer to Christ,” Beaulieu said.
Dr. Raul Nidoy, an atheist-turned-Catholic theologian and publisher of the book Jesus-Centered: A Guide to Happiest Life, emphasized that the goal of the JCL Conference is to help Christ reach everyone and each one all over the world. He said in the previous year that we need to address the pressing issues of our time by encouraging people to rediscover the joy and peace of a life centered on Jesus Christ.
The organizers also hope the conference will help people realize the beauty of living ordinary holiness amid their daily circumstances.
Launched in 2020, JCL had more than 70 renowned international and local speakers, reaching over 40,000 people from around the world. JCL 2022 will feature three talks from John Beaulieu addressing three target audiences: students, parents, and educators. Other activities include holy masses, family rosaries, live student panels, and access to previous talks from JCL 2020 and 2021.
Everyone is encouraged to join this free online conference by visiting https://jesus-centeredlife.org/ and registering at http://bit.ly/JCL2022. You may also like and follow our Facebook page, JesusCentered Life, for updates and information. For other inquiries or partnerships, interested parties may email jesuscentered@paref.edu.ph.