27 April 2011

Media Release

International Catholic Speakers This Weekend in Takapuna:

Talks on Pope John Paul II, Conversion and Faith

Incredible conversion stories by an American junkie-turned priest, talks by the Papal Nuncio, and a special focus on Pope John Paul II are planned for the Eucharistic Convention (29 April-1 May).

Speakers joining Auckland Bishop Patrick Dunn include:

Archbishop Most Reverend Charles Daniel Balvo, a native New Yorker, is the Papal Nuncio in Wellington. In 2005, he was appointed Titular Archbishop of Castello and Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Fed. States Micronesia, Nauru, Western Samoa, Tonga, Palau and Vanuatu, and Apostolic Delegate to the Pacific Ocean.

Father Donald Calloway is an "ex-crim-turned-surfie-priest". According to the blurb for No Turning Back (A Witness to Mercy): "You'll literally be on the edge of your seat as a former 'Deadhead' and drug-addict candidly shares how he was unexpectedly led to the Roman Catholic Church and eventually into a Roman collar as an ordained priest. An incredible odyssey of faith, Fr Calloway's radical conversion can be compared to that of a modern St Augustine as chronicled in his famous Confessions." www.fathercalloway.com

In addition to international and Kiwi speakers and musicians, each day will include Mass and special prayers for Pope John Paul II, who will be beatified in Rome on 1 May.

Sunday's talks on John Paul II will include:

3.45pm Father Donald Calloway -- Pope John Paul II: An Apostle of Mercy

4.30pm Archbishop Most Reverend Charles Daniel Balvo -- Blessed John Paul II

VENUE/TICKET INFORMATION

The Eucharistic Convention will be held at Westlake Boys High School auditorium, 30 Forrest Hill, Takapuna. Tickets at the door are $40 adults; $20 seniors and students; under 15 free. More information is available at www.eucharistic-convention.com . Over 25,000 people have attended the previous 17 Conventions.

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