Parish Captain Resources

Parish Captains are vital in helping promote the Men's Conference at their parish. You will be the one to bring the men of your parish to an experience this November that will drive them even closer to Jesus. We hope you'll consider becoming your Parish Captain!

2026 PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS ARE COMING SOON!

Feel free to customize the promotional documents on this page to promote the conference at your parish. Just click on the document name to open it.
(files are in Microsoft Word, PNG, and PDF format)

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DOWNLOAD THE SHORT PROMOTIONAL VIDEO TO HELP PROMOTE THE CONFERENCE IN YOUR PARISH, PLEASE CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW.

Then simply click the download button below the video to download it to your laptop or other electronic device and use it at your parish without internet access.

Documents for Download



Questions?

Please contact your respective Deanery Representative first.

Aurora Deanery: Bob Novack, 630-746-0444
DeKalb Deanery: Kirk Reinhart, 815-453-2559
Freeport Deanery: Russ Gies, 815-541-4369
McHenry Deanery: Butch Pintozzi, 847-417-0687
Rockford Deanery: David DeBlauw, 815-871-2783
Elgin Deanery: Keith Williams, 847-669-4811

Sterling Deanery: Steve Marruffo, 815-564-8218 

*If you are not in the Rockford Diocese or have further questions or comments, contact Mitch Striedl at 630-617-1876.

Please read this important message from our Coordinator:

August 2025

Dear Parish Captain,

Thank you for offering to help promote the 30th Annual Great Lakes Catholic Men’s Conference, “Walk the Talk,” on Saturday, November 22, 2025, in DeKalb, IL. Your role is vital in stirring up the hearts of the people in your parish to have its men spend a day with God. None of our marketing efforts can reach the men and families of your parish as well as you can. You are there, have relationships, and understand how your parish works and the specific needs of your parishioners.

The Parish Captain materials found on our website provide most of the information you’ll need and are designed to assist you in your efforts; please utilize them. Past experience has shown that the greatest success has occurred when the outline provided in the “Parish Captain Tasks” document is used. Also, make all of your parish ministries aware of the Conference and enlist their support in your efforts. Experience has also shown that women can be a strong influence in urging men to participate, don’t forget them in your promotion as well. Please do your best to actively promote the Conference from Labor Day up until the day of the Conference.

Ideally, you will obtain the support of your Pastor to promote and make the parish aware of the Conference. Also, enlist the aid of several other men to help you promote the Conference, take registrations after Masses, and complete the other tasks.

You can pre-order tickets at the early bird price and then sell them, or you can sell tickets, collect the money, and then order. You will only be able to collect cash or check. If someone wishes to register with a credit card, please direct them to this website, thetalk.org, and also take down their information so you can contact them regarding carpooling and connecting with other men from your parish while at the conference. Please emphasize that all tickets ordered are on a non-refundable basis. If someone has purchased a ticket and can’t attend, he may give or sell it to someone else.

We are especially hopeful that each parish will purchase groups of tickets and sell these to their men. Group ticket orders must be mailed with payment by October 22 in order to receive the early bird price.

You can be the one who brings men to a fuller life through Christ. Pray for the Lord’s assistance in your efforts. On behalf of all involved in the organization of the Conference, thank you again. We look forward to seeing you and other men from your parish on November 22, 2025.

Yours in Christ,

Mitch Striedl
Conference Coordinator
Home phone 630-617-1876