DENVER. Single Catholics of all ages are invited to the National Catholic Singles Conference Jan. 27-29 in Westminster.
The event, which started in Denver in 2005, is an opportunity for singles to pray together, listen to inspirational speakers, and enjoy camaraderie with other Catholics.

Events will include five keynote talks, breakout workshops for men and women, opportunities for adoration and confession, social time, a dinner and dance, and Mass every day. Sunday Mass will be celebrated by Denver’s apostolic administrator, Bishop James Conley.

The conference kicks off Friday evening with a mixer followed by a keynote address from Mary Beth Bonacci. Bonacci will speak on living the single life “when you didn’t expect it,” and finding God in that call. Fashion model-turned-missionary Mario St. Francis will serve as emcee.

Additional keynote speakers will be Jonathan Reyes, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Denver Archdiocese and executive director of social ministry; David Clayton, artist and professor at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in Merrimack, N.H.; Daughter of St. Paul Sister Helena Burns speaking on the media and its influence; and author and counselor Roy Petitfils will close the conference with the keynote: “Are we fishers of men or keepers of the aquarium?”

Conference founder Anastasia Northrup said that, since 2005, more than 3,000 Catholic singles have attended 11 conferences in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and South America. After many requests, Northrup decided to return the 2012 U.S. conference to its roots in Colorado.

She said the conference is an opportunity “to encounter Christ more deeply, and the many social activities during the conference offer Catholic singles an experience unlike any other.”

“Some attendees have gone home to start singles groups in their own cities. Many have received the tools to better know themselves and improve their relationships. Others have met new friends with whom they stay in touch with for a long time. And some have met, gotten married and started families,” Northrup said.

“Many who have attended previous events keep coming back, and I often hear from those who have since gotten married that they wish they could still attend the conference because, aside from the ‘singles’ aspect, it’s just a fantastic weekend,” she added.

Past attendee Anna Maria Basquez said that attending the conference in Denver in 2006 led to “truly felt fellowship.”

“People I met there led to my going to Rome for the first time on a pilgrimage with more than 70 Catholic singles,” she said. “Because of this conference, I realized how literally ‘not alone’ I am as a single Catholic in my city, state, nation and world. You’re never really alone if you have faith.”

Basquez went on to form Denver Catholic Speed Dating, which will offer pre- and post-conference activities. For more information and event costs, visit www.DenverCatholicSpeedDate.com.

“It’s a good alliance with the goal of further bringing together Catholic singles,” Basquez said. “It can hone the skills of participants to talk to others of faith, better preparing them for a conference that typically numbers in the hundreds.”

Conference organizers also invite participants to stay Sunday night to socialize and then ski together on Jan. 30.

National Catholic Singles Conference
When: Jan. 27-29
Where: Westin Westminster, 10600 Westminster Blvd.
Cost before Jan. 20: $139, $119 students or military
Cost after Jan 20: $159, $139 students or military
Register: www.NationalCatholicSingles.com or 608-561-1791

— By Julie Filby of the Denver Catholic Register and Bill Howard of The Colorado Catholic Herald.