Catholic Seniors Conference

From the 2023 Conference

2023 Catholic Seniors’ Conference Summary

Filling the school cafeteria of St. Luke Catholic Church, 129 men and women participated in Pilgrim Center of Hope’s Catholic Seniors’ Conference which was held on Friday, June 23, 2023. This was the first annual, in-person conference since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This half-day conference encompassed Holy Mass celebrated by San Antonio Auxiliary Bishop Michael Boulette, who challenged participants to leave a legacy of faith for the next generation; to record their story, the story of how they fell in love with Jesus, why they follow him, and how they grow deeper in their faith.

Many seniors were inspired to take up his challenge, such as one woman who noted her major takeaway as, “Seniors still have something to contribute.”

After enjoying Bill Miller breakfast tacos and classic jazz standards performed by T.J. Dolotina, the morning began with two main speakers. Former judge and current practicing attorney, Victor Negron, presented an inspiring testimony to the benefits of the devotional practice of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and shared the Eucharistic Miracle story of Buenos Aires, Argentina. A large percentage of evaluation forms submitted after the conference included a resolution to attend Adoration more often.

Pastor of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower, Fr. Gregory Ross of the Discalced Carmelite Friars, wove together wisdom from the saints about the spiritual journey and maintaining a life of prayer.  Reflecting on what she learned from him, Teresa wrote, “To not be afraid & always hope. To strengthen my relationship with Jesus Christ by committing to a regular time for pray[er], scriptural reading, reciting the rosary, & learning from the saints, especially St. Teresa of Avila. I loved the prayer card he [gave] us, as a reminder of this.”

The morning ended with a special praying of the Rosary, for healing.

Presentations can be viewed on the event website.

Plans are underway for the 2024 Catholic Seniors’ Conference in San Antonio.

Recommended by speaker Victor Negron:
If needed, select the “CC” button on the video player for English captions.

Please Thank Our Sponsors

We need assistance with the next conference!
Advertising | Sponsorship

Please email us with your interest:
Ann Gonsalves, Development Coordinator
ann@pilgrimcenterofhope.org

Tributes & Memorials Supporting This Event

In Memory of Benjamin Gonzalez, Jr.

In Memory of Joseph Steven Perez

In Memory of Eluterio and Concepcion Sifuentez

Attendee Testimonies

Question: “Did you discover something you weren’t aware of, about how the Catholic Church views the elderly, senior citizens?”

Definitely I had come to the conclusion that the Catholic Church didn’t care for the elderly who were once young & very active in our Church, but I realized through this conference we are the building blocks of our church

(I discovered) that we are needed to carry on the Church to the next generation.

The Church is emphasizing more the dignity and value of the elderly and their responsibility to contribute to the work of evangelization.

We are still important and have work to do.

History

Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, inspired by the courageous and dignified retirement of Pope Benedict XVI, called on the Pilgrim Center of Hope in 2013 to organize a Catholic Seniors’ Conference for the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

On April 5, 2014, over 320 men and women staff and attendees helped make the first annual Catholic Seniors’ Conference a wonderful start!

This conference continues to shed light on the Church’s high regard for seniors, educating them about their unique dignity as sons and daughters of God, encouraging them to know and love God, and inspiring them to use their gifts for the transformation of family and society.

From the 2019 Conference

Presentation – Fr. Patrick Martin: God Redeems It All

Presentation – Jeannette Santos, LPC: God Is Close to Us

From the 2018 Conference

Presentation – Susan Muto: Little Ways to Transform Your Heart

Presentation – Mary Jane Fox: Prayer Intercessors – Living As Missionary Disciples As We Are

From the 2017 Conference

Presentation – Lisa Mladinich: Finding Grace In the Second Half of Life

Presentation – Deacon Tom Fox: Spreading the Message of Hope!

From the 2016 Conference

Presentation – Fr. Servando Guerrero-Ponce: Life’s Journey to Our Heavenly Father!

From the 2015 Conference

The 2015 Catholic Seniors’ Conference was wonderful!  We hosted 315 seniors, thanks to our sponsors and volunteers.  Participants enjoyed speakers Fr. Charlie Banks, OMI, and Dr. Margarett Schlientz, who also gave a Q&A session on topics such as prayer and the Holy Spirit.  Archbishop Gustavo’s message during Mass to participants was, “I NEED YOU! […] I NEED YOUR PRAYERS!”  He entrusted participants with the mission of praying for prayerful priests in the Archdiocese.

It was a joy to see so many gathered to seek spiritual growth and be open to the challenging messages presented.  Thank you for your prayers!

From the 2014 Conference

The two 2014 keynote presentations are available on DVD for a suggested donation of $15. Please call us to order yours: 210-521-3377

Spiritual Tools & Resources

APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION OF POPE FRANCIS – AMORIS LAETITIA

Excerpt from sections 191-193, “The elderly” The elderly help us to appreciate “the continuity of the generations”, by their “charism of bridging the gap”. Very often it is grandparents who […]

ADDRESS OF POPE FRANCIS – ASS’N OF ELDERLY

Pope Paul VI Hall | Saturday, October 15, 2016 Excerpt: The Church looks to the elderly with affection, recognition and great esteem. They are an essential part of the Christian community and of […]

ADDRESS OF POPE FRANCIS – PASTORAL CONGRESS

Basilica of St. John Lateran | Thursday, June 16, 2016 Excerpt: “The old men shall have prophetic dreams” (cf. Joel 2:28). This was a prophecy that Joel made for the time of […]

ADDRESS OF POPE FRANCIS – MEETING WITH THE ELDERLY

Saint Peter’s Square | Sunday, 28 September 2014 Excerpt:  …Old age is a time of grace, in which the Lord renews his call to us: he calls us to safeguard […]

ADDRESS OF POPE FRANCIS – GENERAL AUDIENCE

Saint Peter’s Square | Wednesday, 11 March 2015 Excerpt: We are able to thank the Lord for the benefits received, and fill the emptiness of ingratitude that surrounds us. We […]

ADDRESS OF POPE FRANCIS – GENERAL AUDIENCE

Saint Peter’s Square | Wednesday, 4 March 2015 Excerpt: Our elders are men and women, fathers and mothers, who came before us on our own road, in our own house, […]

ADDRESS OF POPE BENEDICT XVI – VISIT TO THE COMMUNITY OF SANT’EGIDIO’S HOME FOR THE ELDERLY “VIVA GLI ANZIANI”

Rome | Monday, 12 November 2012 Excerpt: This morning, addressing all the elderly in spirit, although I am aware of the difficulties that our age entails I would like to […]