Speakers & Events

Throughout the year, St. Mary Magdalene sponsors guest speakers and other opportunities to grow your faith. Topics and events vary each season and during different parts of the liturgical year. Here are some of our current and past offerings:

Upcoming

Past Speakers

Brendan Brooks

Screenshot 2024 08 13 125304

Brendan Brooks, a Christian musician from a rural area of southwest Wisconsin, started playing guitar at the age of 15 and began leading worship for a youth group at 16. In 2007, he helped start a band called Finding Fortress; after several years with that group, he headed to Nashville to release his first solo album in the summer of 2016. Brendan is a worship leader at heart but also loves getting people on their feet singing and clapping along to his original music. From campfires to large stages, he enjoys using the gifts God has given him to serve others. "God is on the move, and I am so glad to be part of his church!" Check out his website for more information.

Fr. Sam Martin

OIP (3)

Father Sam Martin, the pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Wausau, Wisconsin, is a respected speaker and spiritual guide. He shares insightful reflections through his “Martin’s Minutes” series, touching on various topics such as time, gratitude, and embracing life’s challenges. Father Martin’s wisdom resonates with parishioners and seekers alike.

Fr. Jim Flaherty, SJ

Fr. Jim Flaherty, SJ, is a Retreat Director at Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh, WI. He was previously the Director of First Studies and Associate Professor of Philosophy at Loyola University Chicago. Prior to coming to Loyola University, he served as Pastor of Gesu Parish in Milwaukee, WI, after teaching philosophy at Marquette University. He has preached and/or directed retreats for many years at the Jesuit Retreat House, Demontreville Retreat House in St. Paul, MN, and Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, IL. He has earned an MDiv and MTS in Theology (Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, CA) and a PhD in Philosophy (New School University in New York City).

Mike Jacquart

mike

Mike Jacquart has written about the workplace, education, politics, collectible toys, child care, foster care - even grant proposals. Name the topic and chances are good that he can write about it! Among his projects is his 2022 book, Climbing out of Darkness: A Personal Journey into Mental Wellness. Many mental health books talk about mental illness, but few discuss what it is like to live with one. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately 58 million Americans - or one in four adults - experience a mental health impairment in any given year. And yet, the average person has little understanding on how mental health impairments impact everyday life, and in turn, affect the lives of their loved ones. In this book, Mr. Jacquart explores this topic in depth, taking the reader on a journey from personal doubt, despair, and darkness into a life filled with optimism, confidence, and hope.

Bob Kroll

Bob20Kroll20portrait 4 1486145988

Bob Kroll grew up in Wisconsin and is the oldest of nine children. He is the founder of With All Your Heart, an apostolate that focuses on helping people discover the emotional wounds that are negatively affecting their lives, and to move past those hurts towards forgiveness, healing and freedom. Bob’s powerful talk on his book, The Father Wound...and Beyond, is profoundly changing the hearts and minds of audiences everywhere he speaks!