2021 Speakers
Most Reverend Bishop Joseph Strickland
Tyler, Texas
Talk: Mary’s Journey of Hope
Bishop Joseph Edward Strickland was born on October 31, 1958 in Fredericksburg, Texas. He entered Holy Trinity Seminary and the University of Dallas in August of 1977 and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Dallas on June 1, 1985. After several degrees earned, and positions he served within the Diocese, Father Strickland entered into canonical studies at the Catholic University of America, which he completed with a Licentiate in Canon Law in May of 1994.
He was then assigned as rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler, Texas, followed by appointed positions as Judicial Vicar, Administrator, and Vicar General for the Diocese of Tyler. In addition, Fr. Strickland was honored with the titles of Prelate of Honor and Monsignor by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. On September 29, 2012 it was announced that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI had chosen Monsignor Strickland as the Fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Tyler. He was ordained to the episcopacy on November 28, 2012.
Fr. Don Calloway, MIC
Stockbridge, MA
Talk: Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of our Spiritual Father
Father Donald Calloway, MIC, a convert to Catholicism, is a member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. Before his conversion, he was a high school dropout who had been kicked out of a foreign country, institutionalized twice, and thrown in jail multiple times. After his radical conversion, he joined the Marian Fathers and is now the Vicar Provincial and Vocation Director for the community.
He leads pilgrimages to Marian shrines around the world and is the author of 14 books. His latest book is Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father. It has sparked the first worldwide movement of consecration to St. Joseph and is making a big impact on the Church in our day!
Fr. Zachary of the Mother of God, SOLT
Capulin, CO
Talk 1: The Desires in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Our Mother
Talk 2: Am I Not Here, Who Am Your Mother?”
Fr. Zachary of the Mother of God, is a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT.) He currently serves as the Director of Formation and Vocations Director for the American Region of SOLT. Previously, he served as Rector of the Post Novitiate House of Formation in the Asia-Pacific Region of SOLT to prepare seminarians to become missionary priests. He also acted as a Lay servant of the Worldwide Community and had responsibilities for the administration and formation of the lay faithful.
Fr. Zachary is a former Attorney at Law in the State of California who testifies that he has experienced the infinite Mercy of God in a profound and personal way. His appearances on EWTN, as well as his worldwide travels, enable him to help teach and lead Catholics to live their Baptismal promises by responding to the universal call to holiness. Fr. Zachary believes, as St. Pope John Paul II declared that, “the Church draws her life from Christ in the Eucharist; by Him she is fed and by Him she is enlightened.”
Father has also been the keynote speaker at the Rosary Sunday event here in Phoenix. His love and commitment to the priesthood, the Eucharist, Our Lady, and Holy Mother Church is evident in his life and mission.
Michael O’Neill
Chicago, IL
Talk: Marian Miracles of Hope
Michael O’Neill is an award-winning author, EWTN Radio and television host, and creator of the the popular miracle-tracking website, MiracleHunter.com. O’Neill, a graduate of Stanford University and member of the Mariological Society of America, has been interviewed about his research numerous times on programs like NBC Today, The Dr. Oz Show and The History Channel. He was the consultant for the National Geographic magazine December 2015 cover story and map about the Virgin Mary “The Most Powerful Woman in the World” and was interviewed as the Marian expert on the corresponding television piece for NatGeo Explorer. He is the host of the weekly EWTN Radio program “The Miracle Hunter®” and the weekly EWTN docuseries “They Might Be Saints” about the lives and intercessory miracles of future American saints. His new EWTN travel series “Explore with Miracle Hunter” debuted on February 11th with an episode about Lourdes. He has written numerous books including his latest, the Catholic Press Association Award winner “Virgin, Mother, Queen” (Ave Maria Press). His annual international pilgrimage will be from October 18-27 visiting the Marian apparition sites of France including for the 150th anniversary of La Salette and the 175th anniversary of Pontmain.
Fr. Jozo Grbes, OFM
Chicago, IL
Talk: Keep Our Eyes Open
Fr. Jozo “Joe” Grbes, O.F.M. studied philosophy and theology at colleges in Sarajevo, Canterbury and London, England where he graduated in 1992. He arrived in the United States the same year and was ordained a priest on February 7, 1993, at SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in New York. After his ordination, he continued his pastoral duties in the same parish as well as post-graduate studies.
In 1996, Fr. Jozo was sent to St. Jerome’s in Chicago where he served as assistant pastor and pastor till 2012 when he was elected Franciscan Custos/ Superior for the Croatian Franciscan Fathers in the USA and Canada (a part of the Franciscan Province of Medjugorje). He resides at the Franciscan Friary in Chicago.
Fr. Steven A. Kunkel
Arizona Peace Center Spiritual Director
Rosary: Luminous Mysteries
Rev. Steve Kunkel is the pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Phoenix, Arizona. Raised in an Army family, Fr. Kunkel graduated from FSU (Fayetteville State University) with a BS in Computer Science.
After working for Wachovia Bank, he entered the seminary, studying at St. Meinrad Seminary, earning and MDiv. He was ordained for the Diocese of Phoenix in 2001 and has been pastor of Resurrection Parish in Tempe and Christ the King Parish in Mesa.