March 12, 2020

Catholic Life Conference in Springfield has been postponed to Oct. 17

REGIONAL
Staff report

SPRINGFIELD – In a message posted on the website catholiclifeconference.org, members of the committee planning the upcoming Catholic Life Conference at the MassMutual Center, here, originally scheduled for Saturday, March 21, announced the conference has been rescheduled for Oct. 17, due to concerns regarding the nationwide spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Following is the text of the online message:

With only a week to go and over 1,400 registrants, we find ourselves in an unprecedented situation with the current pandemic state. Aware that many could not attend and have been prevented from doing so, our organizing committee has had no choice but to prayerfully and prudently make the decision to postpone the Catholic Life Conference.

As disappointing as that is, we are excited to have already confirmed a new date, Oct. 17, 2020 and, praise be to God, with all the same speakers and existing program.  

The Catholic Life Conference has always has the expressed desire to bring Catholics and non- Catholics from all walks of life to join in prayer, adoration, and awe of our faith and God together as the church and by your response so do you!

We have been overwhelmed by the support from throughout our diocese, New England, and the country at large for this first time event, even getting hundreds of registrants within the last few days.

Due to our current widespread health situation, it has become quite clear that coming together in such a large group was not only creating fear in those that wanted to keep each other safe, it was preventing already registered people with underlying health issues from the ability to attend, as well as making it difficult to travel to Springfield due to travel bans and transportation hold-ups in other states. We have speakers, attendees and vendors coming from across the diocese and flying in from all over the country, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico, and we could not move forward knowing that all those that wanted to be with us could not attend.

Now, as mentioned, we are so excited to still be able to offer the same speakers, schedule and activities planned to all, just on a different date. In addition, we can keep registrations open and we will no longer need to waitlist all the additional people that wanted to come together to pray for the church and the world.

Please note that all current registrations are valid and active for this new date in October.  

While we are disappointed we won’t be together on March 21 in celebration of our joy and shared life, we encourage everyone to go to their local parish church for some private prayer, and remember all those that are suffering from this pandemic, those in nursing homes and hospitals, and those men and women who so lovingly care for them. Let us come together now in spirit and pray for a swift end to this virus, asking for God’s mercy and our Lady’s loving peace to be poured out on this country and this world.

Once again we want to thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you now on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020! Please reach out with any further questions or concerns and we appreciate your prayers and patience.

In Christ’s peace,
Catholic Life Conference Committee