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Conference Reviews

“I attended because I needed a different direction in my life and  mission accomplished. The Holy Spirit was alive, well and very much present!”


“COL is a chance to step out of our everyday lives, relax and soak up the Lord! You are recharged and ready to bring the Holy Spirit back into your everyday attitude.”


“I laughed, I cried, I worshipped, but most of all I was in the presence of the Holy Spirit with so many beautiful people of different ages which is so good to see God working in His Mysterious Ways!).”


I attended Christ Our Life for the first time in 2022.  I felt like it changed my life and set my heart on fire for Jesus.  The last 2 years I have spent every day praying and praising the Lord.  I feel filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and has given me strength that I did not know I had.  I organized a fundraiser for Mary’s Meal’s, organized my first trip to NCYC taking 26 people from my parish, booked a charter bus to bring 27 people to COL this year, and the list goes on.  COL lit a fire in me and I want to share it with the world!   Thank you, Ellen and Marilyn, for your vision in starting and continuing this wonderful blessing!


I had strayed away from God and my sister wanted me to come with her, i was reluctant to attend but i did during the talks. i really started thinking about why i used to love God so much and those feelings came rushing back. at the teen breakout during jason’s talk about chastity it really opened my eyes to what i truly want with my life.


This weekend exceeded my by far!  I was only interested in attending to bring my teens to the Teen Track.  I wasn’t expecting such a beautiful and fruitful faith experience for myself!  Thank you!!!  This is comparable to NCYC (we attended in Indianapolis in Nov. 2023), where we paid $800 and didn’t have nearly the personal and inviting experience that we experienced here at Christ Our Life.  The “hype” of NCYC was not appreciated by my teen.  This was such a better fit — we got to experience Steve & Sr. Josephine on another level here than the experience we had at NCYC.  Thank you, thank you!


A fantastic experience. Having this caliber of event right here in the middle of the county is almost unbelievable. Especially enjoyed the heartfelt sharing by the technical coordinator (Rob?) .  As a former broadcast professional, I know what an effort he puts forth to keep everything running smoothly. Thanks to all the event board, sponsors, and the army of volunteers you assembled to host us last weekend.


A miniature similar to the National Eucharist Congress!   We are so blessed to have this opportunity in our area!!  The presence of Jesus in the arena is so beautiful!!!  I pray that in two years the arena will be filled.


As a priest of ten years, this is a solid Catholic Conference that renews my people who attend and renews me – thanks be to God! It is very worthwhile traveling 7 hours to attend the conference!


My wife and I moved to Des Moines in 2022 because of my job. My wife had been listening to EWTN radio and heard there was “a Catholic conference” in Des Moines – we were both surprised to find something like that in the predominantly Protestant community.  We were absolutely blown away not just by the size, crowd or schedule, but we knew EVERY speaker from either a Catholic show or book!  This is truly an amazing opportunity to strengthen not only our faith, but also provides an opportunity for conversion! We will attend EVERYONE in the future!


I don’t know that I have ever invested that amount of time or whatever amount of money I paid in any more significant way than I did that weekend.  I was with my wife of 40 years, Christ loving and dear friends, and all of you together with The Lord, The Father, The Holy Spirit and His Mother!  COLCC 2024 changed my Life!!!


I was very blessed to have the opportunity to attend NCYC this year as well as NEC. COL- it’s in that same caliber of conference! The conference you put on is amazing and it’s local. It’s terrific. Church community was able to come together and learn and celebrate our faith together in a way that would not have been possible if it wasn’t so close to home. We are so grateful.


AMAZING!  It literally changed my life!  I met Jesus during the entire conference- through the music, speakers, mass, adoration and confession.  I came home “glowing” from my time with Jesus and being with other Catholics who are trying to be Jesus’ disciples.  I am making some big changes in my life after the conference so that I can be a better disciple.