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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for FORGE
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260129T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260129T210000
DTSTAMP:20260526T111233
CREATED:20260105T205251Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T141304Z
UID:10000018-1769713200-1769720400@myforge.org
SUMMARY:Hard Topics Workshop
DESCRIPTION:This event is cosponsored by Serva Fidem. Men and Women welcome to attend the event. \nDescription: Pope Saint John Paul II famously taught that “the future of the Church and of the world passes by way of the family.” Yet today\, many Catholics feel ill-equipped to understand—or articulate—the Church’s teachings on marriage\, sexuality\, and family life amid a rapidly changing cultural landscape. \nIn this workshop\, John Bishop will equip participants to engage these sensitive and often controversial topics with clarity\, confidence\, and charity. Drawing from the Church’s rich theological tradition\, he will address questions surrounding same-sex attraction\, transgender ideology\, contraception\, and in-vitro fertilization\, while offering practical tools for persuasive and compassionate conversation. Participants will leave with a deeper grasp of the Church’s sacred vision for marriage and family\, and with renewed confidence to speak the truth in love—whether in personal conversations or within small-group settings. \nSpeaker: John Bishop\, Ph.D. \nRegistration: Registration not required. For those who wish to reserve a spot\, pre-registration will start 30 days prior to the event.  \nDate: Thursday\, January 29th. Doors open at 7:00PM. Presentation begins promptly at 7:30PM (followed by Q&A at 8:30PM). \nLocation: West Des Moines Marriott: 1250 Jordan Creek Pkwy\, West Des Moines\, IA 50266
URL:https://myforge.org/event/hard-topics-workshop/
LOCATION:West Des Moines Marriott\, 1250 Jordan Creek Pkwy\, West Des Moines\, IA\, 50266\, United States
CATEGORIES:Seminar or Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://myforge.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FORGE-PRESENTS-JOHN-BISHOP.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260224T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260224T220000
DTSTAMP:20260526T111233
CREATED:20260209T190212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T220510Z
UID:10000021-1771959600-1771970400@myforge.org
SUMMARY:Holy Listening
DESCRIPTION:Price: $20 Cover at Check-in\, Open bar + great LOCAL speaker\, Open cigar box to wrap the night \nDescription:What if the key to spreading the Gospel faster\, following Christ more authentically\, and cultivating a marriage and a home that draws the entire family closer together was a single skill? Hostage negotiators know that active listening is a super power in building relationships and repairing trust. Catholic hostage negotiators know that Jesus is the model listener and that this example of “Holy Listening” is seen in the Old Testament\, New Testament\, and the Lives of the Saints. Come laugh\, reflect\, and learn about the sort of listening habits that can storm heaven and earth. Dan Oblinger is a retired Hostage Negotiation Commander and FBI-certified Hostage Negotiator. He is a former seminarian for the Catholic Church and Totus Tuus teacher. He is the father of six adopted children\, married to Myle\, his wife of 22 years\, and the author of three books on listening and negotiation. He is an international keynote speaker and corporate consultant in the areas of emotional communication\, active listening\, and relationship-based negotiation. \nSpeaker: Dan Oblinger \nRegistration: Registration not required. For those who wish to reserve a spot\, pre-registration will start 30 days prior to the event.  \nDate: Tuesday\, February 24th. Doors open and drinks served at 7PM. Talk starts at 8PM with cigars afterwards. \nLocation: Odd Fellow Hall (930 W Douglas Ave.)
URL:https://myforge.org/event/holy-listening/
LOCATION:KS
CATEGORIES:Seminar or Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://myforge.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FN5-Dan-Oblinger-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260228T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260228T153000
DTSTAMP:20260526T111233
CREATED:20250228T073914Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T170616Z
UID:10000007-1772265600-1772292600@myforge.org
SUMMARY:FORGE Conference 2026
DESCRIPTION:The FORGE Conference 2026\, marking the second annual event\, will take place on February 28th at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines\, Iowa. This powerful gathering will bring together over 1\,000 men for a day of formation\, spiritual growth\, and brotherhood\, with world-class speakers such as Jason Evert\, Dr. Edward Sri\, Matthew Breuninger\, Paul J. Kim\, and John Bishop. Designed to empower current and future fathers to thrive in today’s world\, the conference will feature high-impact keynotes\, extended breakout sessions\, and the sacrament of confession with 50 priests. It promises a fast-paced\, dynamic experience that honors the sacrifices men make to attend. Stay tuned for more details as they are announced! \nGet your tickets today – you don’t want to miss out on this powerful experience!
URL:https://myforge.org/event/forge-conference-2026/
LOCATION:Iowa Events Center\, 730 3rd St\, Des Moines\, IA\, 50309
CATEGORIES:Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://myforge.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/forge-conference-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260328T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260328T160000
DTSTAMP:20260526T111233
CREATED:20260209T193615Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T220927Z
UID:10000022-1774684800-1774713600@myforge.org
SUMMARY:Wichita Conference - MAN FULLY ALIVE 2026
DESCRIPTION:MAN FULLY ALIVE is an annual Catholic Men’s Conference held in Wichita Kansas. If you have yet to attend MAN FULLY ALIVE\, you will not want to miss this! Come join us for a day of prayer\, friendship\, and inspiring speakers. \n\n\nNEAL MCDONOUGH is a famous actor who has appeared in some of the most successful television series including: Band of Brothers\, Desperate Housewives\, Justified\, Suits\, Arrow\, Project Blue Book\, Boomtown\, Yellowstone\, Tulsa King\, and many more. He has also starred on the big screen in over a hundred movies\, including Minority Report\, Captain America: The First Avenger\, Angels in the Outfield\, Walking Tall\, and most recently\, The Last Rodeo\, which he also co-wrote and produced. He will be sharing his story of working in Hollywood and encouraging men to find their own brotherhood. \nCHRIS STEFANICK is an internationally acclaimed author\, speaker\, and television host who has devoted his life to sharing the love of Jesus\, and helping others do the same. This will be his second appearance at MAN FULLY ALIVE and we are very blessed to have him join us! \nDon’t Miss MAN FULLY ALIVE! \nCLICK HERE FOR TICKETS\nLunch is included. We will see you there! \nDo note that all sales are final and all tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. DON’T DELAY! The price goes up as the event approaches! \nLa conferencia “Hombre Plenamente Vivo” se llevará a cabo el sábado\, 28 de marzo\, de 8 a. m. a 4 p. m.\, al colegio de Bishop Carroll High School. \nPara aquellos que necesitan interpretación en español\, estaremos proporcionando interpretación/traducción simultánea usando un sistema de receptores/transmisores. En su inscripción por favor escoga “Entrada con Interpretación en Español.” \nSi necesita ayuda en español para inscribirse\, por favor contacte a la Oficina del Ministerio Hispano al 316-269-3919.
URL:https://myforge.org/event/wichita-conference-man-fully-alive-2026/
LOCATION:Bishop Carroll Catholic High School\, 8101 West Central Avenue\, Wichita\, KS\, 67212\, United States
CATEGORIES:Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://myforge.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-1.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260407T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260407T190000
DTSTAMP:20260526T111233
CREATED:20260105T211817Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T134935Z
UID:10000020-1775588400-1775588400@myforge.org
SUMMARY:Loving God in the Major Leagues
DESCRIPTION:Price: $15 \nDescription: Mike Sweeney is a five-time MLB All Star and member of the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame. After enjoying a 16-year career in Major League Baseball\, Mike worked as an analyst on MLB Network. He currently works as a special assistant to the GM with the KC Royals. Mike is a highly acclaimed speaker who has taught\, challenged and inspired audiences around the world including a meeting with Pope Benedict in November of 2006. Mike\, his beautiful bride of 22 years\, Shara\, and their 6 children are daily mass attendees. \nIn this night’s talk\, Mike will give concrete advice to men looking to live their faith amid the pressures of the modern world. Men will leave both inspired and practically empowered to lead on both the homefront and in the professional world. \nSpeaker: Mike Sweeney \nRegistration: Registration not required. For those who wish to reserve a spot\, pre-registration will start 30 days prior to the event.  \nDate: Tuesday\, April 7th. Doors open 7PM. Programming begins at 8PM. \nLocation: Iowa Tap Room\, 215 E 3rd St. Des Moines\, IA 50309
URL:https://myforge.org/event/loving-god-in-the-major-leagues/
LOCATION:KS
CATEGORIES:Seminar or Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://myforge.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/forge-presents-mike-sweeney.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260421T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260421T190000
DTSTAMP:20260526T111233
CREATED:20260326T193705Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T195039Z
UID:10000030-1776798000-1776798000@myforge.org
SUMMARY:Basilicas and Barbells
DESCRIPTION:Price: $20 \nDescription: Since 2000\, gym memberships in the U.S. have more than doubled (33 to 70 million). From protein shakes to CrossFit to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu\, our culture is gripped by a hunger for physical excellence. But what does the Catholic Church have to say about the gym? After all\, some of our greatest saints were… well\, not exactly lean. Does physical fitness have anything to do with spiritual fitness? If so\, what? And can things go wrong? This talk has answers.\nDr. Jared Zimmerer—former competitive bodybuilder and Senior Director of Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire Institute\, now a humanities professor\, husband\, and father of six—will shed light on the topic. Human beings are a curious mix of mind\, matter\, and spirit. The one inevitably affects the other. Whether you’re hitting the squat rack twice a day or hitting the snack drawer every hour\, this talk has something practical for every guy. \nRegistration: Registration not required at this time. For those who wish to reserve a spot\, pre-registration will open 1 week after the previous event. Click the “PRE-REGISTER” button found at myforge.org/events-wichita. \nDate: Tuesday\, April 21st. Doors open 7PM. Programming begins at 8PM. \nLocation: Odd Fellow Hall \nListen to our guest speaker on:\nElliot Hulse Podcast (yo elliot!\, iykyk)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2wF6VbH8TgGood News Conference Talk – Beauty and the Moral Imaginationhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBUfWXHMhloCatholic Film Club – Rewriting Gladiator IIhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsIP2Q-VNs4
URL:https://myforge.org/event/basilicas-and-barbells-wichita/
LOCATION:Odd Fellow Hall\, 930 W Douglas Ave\, Suite I\, Wichita\, KS\, 67203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Seminar or Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://myforge.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Wichita-FN6-Jared-Zimmerer.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260512T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260512T190000
DTSTAMP:20260526T111233
CREATED:20260227T145944Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T145008Z
UID:10000024-1778612400-1778612400@myforge.org
SUMMARY:The Problem with Contraception
DESCRIPTION:Price: $10 \nDescription: For nearly two thousand years\, every Christian body—Catholic\, Orthodox\, and Protestant alike—rejected contraception as contrary to God’s design for marriage\, a consensus that only began to fracture in the 1930s. In this talk\, we will explore why the Catholic Church has remained steadfast\, and how the widespread embrace of contraception has contributed—just as the Church predicted—to sexual immorality\, increased abortion\, diminished respect for women\, a crisis of masculinity\, and the weakening of the family. Contraception promises freedom but often delivers isolation and fragmentation. In contrast\, a faithful embrace of natural family planning fosters marital unity\, deepens mutual self-gift\, strengthens masculine responsibility\, and cultivates a culture of reverence for women and new life. \nSpeaker: Dr. John Bishop is the Founder and Executive Director of Forge\, an apostolate dedicated to strengthening families through the formation of men. Founded in Des Moines in 2023\, Forge is now expanding into cities across the country. He holds a doctorate in theology from The Catholic University of America\, where his dissertation explored masculine holiness\, advancing the thought of Pope Saint John Paul II in dialogue with contemporary scientific research. With more than a decade of experience in men’s ministry—first on college campuses with FOCUS and now through Forge—Dr. Bishop works to equip men with a clear\, compelling vision of redeemed masculinity for the renewal of the Church and society. \nRegistration: Registration not required. For those who wish to reserve a spot\, pre-registration will start 30 days prior to the event.  \nDate: Tuesday\, May 12th. Doors open 7PM. Programming begins at 8PM. \nLocation: Twisted Vine Brewery\, 112 SE 4th St. Des Moines\, IA 50309 
URL:https://myforge.org/event/problem-with-contraception/
LOCATION:Twisted Vine Brewery\, 112 SE 4th St\, Des Moines\, IA\, 50309\, United States
CATEGORIES:Seminar or Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://myforge.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/May-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260526T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260526T190000
DTSTAMP:20260526T111233
CREATED:20260326T193852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T145015Z
UID:10000031-1779822000-1779822000@myforge.org
SUMMARY:Men and Fatherhood
DESCRIPTION:Price: $20 \nDescription: Come to this talk if your family has any problems! Men’s speaker\, comedian\, and therapist Paul Kim talk about changing your family tree. There is no such thing as a “perfect family”. And let’s be honest\, none of us were taught about what makes for successful relationships\, marriages\, and parenting\, in our classes growing up. We just took what we saw in our own families and experiences\, and did the best that we could\, with what we were given. As rewarding as family life can be\, each one has its share of struggles and problems. Negative patterns of behavior\, both in individuals and in families are bound to repeat themselves and pass on from generation to generation. At FORGE\, we build men who change their family trees for the better! Come hear Paul J Kim talk about how! Paul has spoken in 48 states and 16 countries. His presentations are insightful\, practical\, and hilarious. Utilizing examples and stories from Scripture\, world-class authors and relationship experts\, and his own counseling experience with families and couples in real-life situations\, Paul offers a perspective that has left countless people inspired and one that you won’t want to miss. \nRegistration: Registration not required at this time. For those who wish to reserve a spot\, pre-registration will open 1 week after the previous event. Click the “PRE-REGISTER” button found at myforge.org/events-wichita. \nDate: Tuesday\, May 26th. Doors open 7PM. Programming begins at 8PM. \nLocation: Odd Fellow Hall \nListen to our guest speaker on:\nLila Rose Podcasthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WaTtm8sHx8SEEK23 Breakout Session – 4 Way to Bulletproof Your Future Marriagehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E9nAp-hLes
URL:https://myforge.org/event/men-and-fatherhood/
LOCATION:Odd Fellow Hall\, 930 W Douglas Ave\, Suite I\, Wichita\, KS\, 67203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Seminar or Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://myforge.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/May-2026-Paul-J-Kim-Wichita-FN7.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260817T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260817T190000
DTSTAMP:20260526T111233
CREATED:20260326T143933Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T144853Z
UID:10000028-1786993200-1786993200@myforge.org
SUMMARY:Pope Peter
DESCRIPTION:Price: $20 \nDescription: Who was St. Peter? Was he simply one apostle among many\, or did Christ entrust him with a unique role in the life of the Church? In this talk\, Joe explores the biblical foundation for St. Peter’s special mission as the first pope—and why that truth points powerfully to the Catholic Church. Joe Heschmeyer is a Catholic apologist\, speaker\, and writer known for his clear\, charitable\, and intellectually rigorous defense of the Catholic faith. A former attorney\, he brings a sharp legal mind to questions of Scripture\, Church history\, and theology\, helping audiences navigate common objections to Catholic teaching. Joe is the author of The Early Church Was the Catholic Church and The Eucharist Is Really Jesus\, and he previously hosted the popular podcast Shameless Popery. He serves as an apologist for Catholic Answers\, where he speaks and writes on topics ranging from the Eucharist and the papacy to Protestant–Catholic dialogue. Joe and his wife\, Anna\, are the parents of several children and reside in Kansas. \nRegistration: Registration not required at this time. For those who wish to reserve a spot\, pre-registration will open 1 week after the previous event. Click the “PRE-REGISTER” button found at myforge.org/events-wichita. \nDate: Monday\, August 17th. Doors open 7PM. Programming begins at 8PM. \nLocation: Odd Fellow Hall \nListen to our guest speaker on:\nFradd ep 553 – Truth\, Reality\, & Conspiracy Theorieshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0tnU098M20Keith Nester – Answering Tough Questions from Protestantshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkXrK6ZlyQc
URL:https://myforge.org/event/pope-peter-wichita/
LOCATION:Odd Fellow Hall\, 930 W Douglas Ave\, Suite I\, Wichita\, KS\, 67203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Seminar or Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://myforge.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Aug-2026-Joe-Heschmeyer-Wichita-FN8.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260818T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260818T190000
DTSTAMP:20260526T111233
CREATED:20260227T150244Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T144824Z
UID:10000025-1787079600-1787079600@myforge.org
SUMMARY:Pope Peter
DESCRIPTION:Price: $20 \nDescription: Based on his book by the same name\, in this talk\, Joe explores the biblical basis for the idea that St. Peter really was chosen by Jesus Christ as the first pope… and why that truth means that everyone should be Catholic! \nSpeaker: Joe Heschmeyer is a Catholic apologist\, speaker\, and writer known for his clear\, charitable\, and intellectually rigorous defense of the Catholic faith. A former attorney\, he brings a sharp legal mind to questions of Scripture\, Church history\, and theology\, helping audiences navigate common objections to Catholic teaching. Joe is the author of The Early Church Was the Catholic Church and The Eucharist Is Really Jesus\, and he previously hosted the popular podcast Shameless Popery. He serves as an apologist for Catholic Answers\, where he speaks and writes on topics ranging from the Eucharist and the papacy to Protestant–Catholic dialogue. Joe and his wife\, Anna\, are the parents of several children and reside in Kansas. \nRegistration: Registration not required. For those who wish to reserve a spot\, pre-registration will start 30 days prior to the event.  \nDate: Tuesday\, August 18th. Doors open 7PM. Programming begins at 8PM. \nLocation: Twisted Vine Brewery –  112 SE 4th St\, Des Moines\, IA
URL:https://myforge.org/event/pope-peter/
LOCATION:Twisted Vine Brewery\, 112 SE 4th St\, Des Moines\, IA\, 50309\, United States
CATEGORIES:Seminar or Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://myforge.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/August-2026.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260921T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260921T190000
DTSTAMP:20260526T111233
CREATED:20260326T194140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260514T182908Z
UID:10000032-1790017200-1790017200@myforge.org
SUMMARY:Sons of the Father
DESCRIPTION:Price: $20 \nDescription: Men are often defined by what they can do and what they can accomplish. Underneath every man’s activity is his identity. In this talk\, an elite Navy SEAL operator will talk about his discovery of his own identity as a Son of the Father. Speaker Bio: Sam is a former Navy SEAL officer with over a decade of experience leading the most elite teams around the globe. After holding leadership positions on multiple SEAL teams\, he taught Leadership and Ethics at the United States Naval Academy and helped screen\, select\, the next generation of future SEAL Officers. Sam has travelled to over 50 countries and deployed to Africa\, and the Middle East. Before transitioning from Active Duty\, Sam was a SkillBridge Fellow at Squadra Ventures a venture capital firm in Baltimore\, Maryland. Sam is currently the CEO and Co-Founder of Valletta Industries a defense contract company focused primarily on providing Tactical and security to the Department of Defense and Three Letter Agencies. Sam holds an MBA from Cornell University and an undergraduate degree in Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Sam\, his beautiful wife\, and their four children\, and are proud parishioners of Saint Peter’s Parish in Covington Louisiana. \nRegistration: Registration not required at this time. For those who wish to reserve a spot\, pre-registration will open 1 week after the previous event. Click the “PRE-REGISTER” button found at myforge.org/events-wichita. \nDate: Monday\, September 21st. Doors open 7PM. Programming begins at 8PM. \nLocation: Odd Fellow Hall \nListen to our guest speaker on:\nFradd ep 339 – Navy SEAL Officerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDuZCWCZlNwMen of the Immaculata Catholic Men’s Conference 2023https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrBuJQ5qip8
URL:https://myforge.org/event/sons-of-the-father/
LOCATION:Odd Fellow Hall\, 930 W Douglas Ave\, Suite I\, Wichita\, KS\, 67203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Seminar or Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://myforge.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Sept-2026-Sam-Blair-Wichita-FN9-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260922T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260922T190000
DTSTAMP:20260526T111233
CREATED:20260227T161829Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T163349Z
UID:10000026-1790103600-1790103600@myforge.org
SUMMARY:Alcohol\, Axes\, and a SEAL
DESCRIPTION:Price: $20 \nDescription: Men are often defined by what they can do and what they can accomplish. Underneath every man’s activity is his identity. In this talk\, an elite Navy SEAL operator will talk about his discovery of his own identity as a Son of the Father. \nSpeaker: Sam is a former Navy SEAL officer with over a decade of experience leading the most elite teams around the globe. After holding leadership positions on multiple SEAL teams\, he taught Leadership and Ethics at the United States Naval Academy and helped screen\, select\, the next generation of future SEAL Officers. Sam has travelled to over 50 countries and deployed to Africa\, and the Middle East. Before transitioning from Active Duty\, Sam was a SkillBridge Fellow at Squadra Ventures a venture capital firm in Baltimore\, Maryland. Sam is currently the CEO and Co-Founder of Valletta Industries a defense contract company focused primarily on providing Tactical and security to the Department of Defense and Three Letter Agencies. Sam holds an MBA from Cornell University and an undergraduate degree in Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Sam\, his beautiful wife\, and their four children\, and are proud parishioners of Saint Peter’s Parish in Covington Louisiana. \nRegistration: Registration not required. For those who wish to reserve a spot\, pre-registration will start 30 days prior to the event.  \nDate: Tuesday\, September 22nd. Doors open\, drinks served\, and axe throwing begins at 7PM. Talk starts at 8PM. \nLocation: Ironside Axe Club – 2700 University Ave #100\, West Des Moines\, IA 50266
URL:https://myforge.org/event/alcohol-axes-and-a-seal/
LOCATION:Ironside Axe Club\, 2700 University Ave #100\, West Des Moines\, 50266\, United States
CATEGORIES:Seminar or Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://myforge.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/September-2026-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261015
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261019
DTSTAMP:20260526T111233
CREATED:20260227T173247Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T202813Z
UID:10000027-1792022400-1792367999@myforge.org
SUMMARY:Heart of the Mission
DESCRIPTION:The Heart of the Mission (HOM) Retreat) is an invitation for a select group of 65 men to step more deeply into the vision\, spirituality\, and brotherhood of Forge. Hosted at the beautiful Creighton Retreat Center\, this weekend is designed to strengthen the interior life while sharpening the external mission—forming men who know who they are and who are ready to lead others to Christ. With daily Mass\, confession\, and spiritual direction available throughout the retreat\, HOM offers both real formation and real encounter. \nThe most important themes of the retreat include: \n\nIdentity as sons of the Father — receiving our deepest identity not from achievement\, but from beloved sonship.\nLiving discipleship in an apostolic age — embracing the urgency and joy of being missionary disciples in a post-Christian culture.\nThe beauty of Orthodoxy — discovering the coherence\, strength\, and freedom found in faithful Catholic teaching.\nPractical tools for leading other men — concrete strategies for inviting\, forming\, and accompanying men into deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.\n\nThis retreat is not simply a weekend away—it is a commissioning. The brotherhood forged here is meant to be carried back into Des Moines and Wichita\, strengthening small groups\, deepening friendships\, and advancing the mission on the ground. \nSpeakers \n\nJohn Bishop – Founder of Forge\, Catholic speaker and author\, John is dedicated to building up the family by forming fathers\, grandfathers\, and future fathers in authentic\, Christ-centered masculinity.\nPete Burak – Vice President of Renewal Ministries and a nationally recognized evangelist\, Pete equips leaders across the country to proclaim the Gospel with clarity\, conviction\, and the power of the Holy Spirit.\nSam Halligan – Des Moines City Director for Forge\, helping coordinate and strengthen the growing network of men and small groups in Des Moines.\nEric Doerneman – Wichita City Director for Forge\, leading the expansion of Forge’s mission and brotherhood in Kansas.\n\nSpace is intentionally limited. HOM is for men ready to move from participation to ownership—from attending the mission to carrying its heart. \nCost: Estimated $250 (meals included) \nDates: Thursday\, October 15th – Sunday\, October 18th  Retreat begins at 7:30PM on Thursday night and concludes at 10AM on Sunday morning. \nLocation: Creighton Retreat Center: 16493 Contrail Ave.\, Griswold\, IA 51535 \nExpress Interest: Formal Registration for HOM will launch on April 15th. If you would like to be notified when registration opens\, please use this form: \nI’m Interested!
URL:https://myforge.org/event/heart-of-the-mission/
LOCATION:Creighton Retreat Center\, 16493 Contrail Ave.\, Griswold\, IA\, 51535
CATEGORIES:Seminar or Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://myforge.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FORGE-heartofthemission-retreat.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261109T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261109T190000
DTSTAMP:20260526T111233
CREATED:20260326T144244Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T144646Z
UID:10000029-1794250800-1794250800@myforge.org
SUMMARY:Communism to Catholicism
DESCRIPTION:Price: $20 \nDescription: Join us for an evening with Sohrab Ahmari as he shares the remarkable story of his intellectual and spiritual journey in a talk titled From Marxism to Catholicism. Raised in a secular home in Tehran\, Ahmari came of age amid political upheaval before embracing atheism and later becoming a Marxist journalist in the West. In this candid and compelling lecture\, he traces the philosophical cracks he discovered within Marxism and Communism—systems that promise liberation but often deliver spiritual and political bondage. With clarity and conviction\, Ahmari recounts how his search for truth ultimately led him to the Catholic faith. This is a powerful exploration of ideology\, disillusionment\, and the surprising path to belief. Speaker: Sohrab Ahmari is the US editor of UnHerd. Before that\, he co-founded Compact magazine\, and spent nearly a decade at News Corp.\, as the op-ed editor of the New York Post and a columnist and editor with The Wall Street Journal opinion pages in New York and London. In addition to those publications\, his writing has appeared in The New York Times\, The Washington Post\, The Atlantic\, The New Statesman\, The Spectator\, The New Republic\, First things\, Commonweal\, and Dissent\, among many others. His books include Tyranny\, Inc.: How Private Power Crushed American Liberty—and What To Do About It and The Unbroken Thread: Discovering the Wisdom of Tradition in an Age of Chaos\, both published by Penguin Random House. His next book\, on The Triumph of Normal\, is forthcoming from HarperCollins. \nRegistration: Registration not required at this time. For those who wish to reserve a spot\, pre-registration will open 1 week after the previous event. Click the “PRE-REGISTER” button found at myforge.org/events-wichita. \nDate: Monday\, November 9th. Doors open 7PM. Programming begins at 8PM. \nLocation: Odd Fellow Hall \nListen to our guest speaker on:\nBishop Barren Podcast – The Wisdom of Traditionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5iH47eB5fIConversion Story shared at 2023 Defending the Faith Conferencehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uImQyzwmijAHow Israel divided the Righthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re0wP1bEBFU
URL:https://myforge.org/event/communism-to-catholicism-wichita/
LOCATION:Odd Fellow Hall\, 930 W Douglas Ave\, Suite I\, Wichita\, KS\, 67203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Seminar or Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://myforge.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Nov-2026-Sohrab-Ahmari-Wichita-FN10.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261110T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261110T190000
DTSTAMP:20260526T111233
CREATED:20260227T135844Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T144552Z
UID:10000023-1794337200-1794337200@myforge.org
SUMMARY:Communism to Catholicism
DESCRIPTION:Price: $20 \nDescription: Join us for an evening with Sohrab Ahmari as he shares the remarkable story of his intellectual and spiritual journey in a talk titled From Marxism to Catholicism. Raised in a secular home in Tehran\, Ahmari came of age amid political upheaval before embracing atheism and later becoming a Marxist journalist in the West. In this candid and compelling lecture\, he traces the philosophical cracks he discovered within Marxism and Communism—systems that promise liberation but often deliver spiritual and political bondage. With clarity and conviction\, Ahmari recounts how his search for truth ultimately led him to the Catholic faith. This is a powerful exploration of ideology\, disillusionment\, and the surprising path to belief. \nSpeaker: Sohrab Ahmari is the US editor of UnHerd. Before that\, he co-founded Compact magazine\, and spent nearly a decade at News Corp.\, as the op-ed editor of the New York Post and a columnist and editor with The Wall Street Journal opinion pages in New York and London. In addition to those publications\, his writing has appeared in The New York Times\, The Washington Post\, The Atlantic\, The New Statesman\, The Spectator\, The New Republic\, First things\, Commonweal\, and Dissent\, among many others. His books include Tyranny\, Inc.: How Private Power Crushed American Liberty—and What To Do About It and The Unbroken Thread: Discovering the Wisdom of Tradition in an Age of Chaos\, both published by Penguin Random House. His next book\, on The Triumph of Normal\, is forthcoming from HarperCollins. \nRegistration: Registration not required. For those who wish to reserve a spot\, pre-registration will start 30 days prior to the event.  \nDate: Tuesday\, November 10th. Doors open 7PM. Programming begins at 8PM. \nLocation:West Des Moines Marriott – 1250 Jordan Creek Pkwy\, West Des Moines\, IA 50266
URL:https://myforge.org/event/communism-to-catholicism/
LOCATION:West Des Moines Marriott\, 1250 Jordan Creek Pkwy\, West Des Moines\, IA\, 50266\, United States
CATEGORIES:Seminar or Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://myforge.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/November-2026s-Moines.png
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