Sports theme has Heavenly ring

This year’s third annual Man of God Conference, taking place March 2-3 at Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma, will carry on a popular theme to get its message of renewed faith across to its participants—sports.

The men’s conference, sponsored by the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, is titled “Be Renewed to Renew.”

Cynthia Percle, logistics coordinator of the diocese, said the theme should reach all in attendance. “It’s going to be an interesting theme,” she explained. “We have a men’s corps that decided to go on a sports theme. All of our talks are based on sports by using sports analogies to explain to the guys how to renew their faith.”

Percle said she feels the idea is an excellent one, recalling a few years ago when a former PGA golfer gave a speech at one of the conferences. “It was amazing,” she said, “me knowing nothing about sports, how much I was able to get from the speaker.”

Speakers at this year’s event include former LSU quarterback Mickey Guidry, former LSU basketball player and Nicholls State basketball coach Ricky Blanton and former Nicholls State basketball player Cleveland Hill.

Other speakers include the Revs. Mark Toups, Paul George, Jeff Bayhi and Bishop Sam Jacobs.

“One of our talks is on ‘What is Your Spiritual Handicap,’” said Percle.

“Another is on teamwork, which Cleveland Hill will give, and another is ‘Envision the Victory, Play to Win,’ by Ricky Blanton.”

The keynote speakers will address attendees on Friday night, Saturday morning and Saturday night. Saturday will also feature a question-and-answer session and a tailgate lunch.

“We’re going to have trucks parked outside,” explained Percle. “We have a guy coming barbecue hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage and hot wings.”

Saturday will conclude with a scripture reflection, where attendees will go over Gospel readings for the Sunday mass.

Those interested can register online at www.htconferences.org or by calling the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux offices at (985) 872-1810.

Prices are currently $75.

Percle said she believes the theme will be wide reaching. “We thought it would encompass and touch more people,” she said. “The ‘Be Renewed to Renew’ is part of the 30th anniversary of the diocese. We all need to be renewed to go out and talk to other people about our faith. If we can touch people through a sports theme, we’ll do it. Because there are so many analogies you can use with sports that relate to this.”