By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
“With a Bible in one hand, with a rosary in my other hand and with Jesus in my heart, you will hear the fullness of the Catholic faith in an evangelical style with devil-destroying theology.”
That’s how the main presenter of this month’s annual Hawaii Catholic Men’s Conference, the dynamic Arizona-based speaker and writer Jesse Romero, describes his presentation on a flyer advertising the event.
“Prepare your hands for battle” is the theme for the conference, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 27, at St Ann Church in Kaneohe. It is sponsored by Hawaii Catholic Men’s Conference.
“Our yearly men’s conference is a chance for us to get together with other Catholic men,” said Ron Gochenouer, a Blessed Sacrament parishioner and member of the event’s planning committee.
“When men get together in this type of environment, it’s bigger than just being together,” he said in an email to the Hawaii Catholic Herald. “It’s about practicing your faith and feeling connected to other Catholics in our community that maybe you didn’t know were there.”
“There is such power in the community, and if these conferences can reach just one man and transform his life, they are successful because he will go out and evangelize to his circle of influence,” said Gochenouer. “This keeps the fire burning.”
“All men should attend,” he said. “The spiritual battle is real and can’t be fought by yourself. Knowledge of the faith is power on the battlefield of life.”
Gochenouer describes Romero as a “lay evangelist who shares Catholic teaching with an exciting style geared to strengthen, edify and fortify us into a deeper love for God. His background and knowledge of the Catholic faith are very inspiring, especially for men.”
According to his website, the speaker is retired from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, was a three-time world police boxing champion and a two-time USA kickboxing champion.
He has a master’s degree in theology. He offers Bible studies, conferences, missions, and retreats. His topics include apologetics, marriage and family, spiritual warfare, men’s topics, teen topics and culture war issues.
He and his wife Anita have been married 39 years and have three children. He has been preaching since 1995.
Romero will give three free talks leading up to the conference.
“How to overcome depression Catholic-style,” Aug. 23, 7-8 p.m., Blessed Sacrament Church, 2124 Pauoa Road, Honolulu
“The power of prayer,” Aug. 24, 7-8 p.m., St. Michael Church, 67-390 Goodale Avenue, Waialua
“The benefits of prayer and church attendance,” Aug. 25, 7-8 p.m., St Ann Church, 46-129 Haiku Road, Kaneohe
Sign up for the conference at eventbrite.com/e/72390434739. The cost is $30 and may be paid on Eventbrite or at the door. A lunch and snacks will be provided. The minimum age is 18. Dress is casual.
For more information, call Ron Gochenouer, 306-7502.
