Kathleen Timmermeyer, the director of the Midwest Catholic Family Conference, has begun preparations for the event's 25th anniversary, scheduled for the first weekend in August 2025. After a brief rest following this year's conference, she is considering implementing a new ticketing program to streamline registration.

“There are lots of questions we ask, and we have a purpose for every question, so that’s why not every ticketing program works,” Timmermeyer explained. The final blessing for the 24th annual conference took place at Century II in Wichita earlier this month.

Timmermeyer left her job in May to focus on pro-life duties and her role as conference director. She believes this was part of a divine plan. “I’m sitting here going, God, you are just amazing how you coordinated all of this!” she said.

Preliminary estimates suggest about 3,000 attendees participated in this year’s conference from Aug. 2-4—the highest attendance since the Covid pandemic. Feedback on speakers and vendors was positive. “We had the largest number of vendors we’ve had in many years,” Timmermeyer noted.

The steering committee will reconvene in September to start planning for next year’s event. Timmermeyer plans to review old programs for speaker ideas.

Speakers at this year's conference included Fr. Mitch Pacwa, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Dennis McManus.

Fr. McManus addressed topics such as “Understanding Jesus’ Conversions.” He emphasized that conversations with Jesus are akin to prayers and encouraged attendees to open their hearts to Christ.

Fr. Pacwa discussed various issues including modern slavery and secular humanism's impact on culture during his presentations. He highlighted the inefficiencies of centralized government control over economic decision-making and provided examples from history.

Deacon Burke-Sivers engaged high school students with his presentation “Why Be Catholic” and discussed encountering Christ through the beauty and truth of the Catholic Church.

Other notable speakers were Jimmy Akin who talked about biblical genesis and gospel trustworthiness; Annie Miller who focused on marriage and family; Dr. William Lite who covered intrauterine treatments; Kendra Tierney who spoke about family life; and artist Mike Debus who performed live art that was auctioned off to support the conference.

The children’s program featured teachings from Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother among others, while Bishop Carl A. Kemme led adoration sessions.

Next year’s Midwest Catholic Family Conference is scheduled for Aug. 1-3.

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