Catholic Seniors Conference

Friday, June 23, 2023

Pilgrim Center of Hope warmly invites you to this unique event. Whatever your state in life, you are welcome to this day of prayer, learning, fellowship, and laughter.

Come join us and learn about God’s calling for us as we age; discover a message of joy and hope!

All are welcome…

  • Seniors
  • Family & Friends
  • Caretakers
  • Anyone interested, at any age

Scroll below for more details and registration information.

Location

St. Luke Catholic Church & School
4603 Manitou, San Antonio, TX 78228

Schedule & Speakers

8:00 AMWelcome & Introduction (Church)
8:30 AMMass with Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS
9:30 AMCoffee & Taco Break (Cafeteria)
10:00 AMPresentation – Victor Negron
The Eucharistic Lord: Seeing with Eyes of Love
10:45 AMBreak
11:00 AMPresentation – Fr. Gregory Ross, O.C.D.
On Surrender and Hope
11:45 AMResources & Break
12:20 PMRosary with Meditations for Healing
1:00 PMFinal Remarks & Departure
Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS

Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS

Celebrating Holy Mass

Many times, the Archbishop has exhorted senior citizens; "The Church needs you!" Because of their great wisdom and the strength of their prayers and testimony, seniors are important to the Church. This conference is organized at the request and encouragement of the shepherd of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio, our Archbishop, out of his great concern for senior citizens to be encouraged. He looks forward to celebrating Friday morning Mass during the event.

Fr. Gregory Ross, OCD

Fr. Gregory Ross, OCD

Speaker

Fr. Gregory Ross, OCD is a friar of the Order of Discalced Carmelites. He serves as pastor and rector at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower as well as overseeing Little Flower School in San Antonio.
Previously, he was associate professor of dogmatic theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.

Victor Negron

Victor Negron

Speaker

Victor Negron is a husband, father, grandfather, practicing lawyer, former judge,past-President of the San Antonio Catholic Lawyers Guild, lay evangelist, and Board Member of Pilgrim Center of Hope. For decades, he has advocated for adoration of the Holy Eucharist in San Antonio and beyond.

TJ Dolotina

TJ Dolotina

Musical Performer

Music will be provided by TJ Dolotina, who croons to the classics. Since recovering from throat cancer, his thirty years of experience as a performer have proven to be a gift. Enjoy a smile and a ‘pep in your step’ thanks to TJ’s musical talents at the conference!

Mary Jane Fox

Mary Jane Fox

Emcee

Mary Jane Fox is co-founder and co-director of Pilgrim Center of Hope, having served in ministry for over 30 years after a profound conversion. She will serve as emcee for this event, leading participants into an outlook of hope!

Registration

Includes
  • Conference admission and attendee packet
  • (2) breakfast tacos, coffee, bottled water
Prices
  • Individual – $25
  • Clergy / Religious – No charge. Please pre-register.

Registration not final until payment is received.

Please Note
  • Please pre-register as early as possible to assist us with preparations and food/beverage count.
  • Deadline to pre-register: June 19, 2023. After June 19, please register at the event.
  • Scholarships are available; do not let the cost prohibit your participation! Call us for details: 210-521-3377.
  • REFUND POLICY: No Refunds, however, you may transfer your registration to another person. Please notify our office.

Support This Mission for Seniors

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.

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 […]