Baseball scout and executive. Theologian and researcher. Author and astronaut.
These differing descriptions of three of the four keynote speakers for the upcoming ManUp South Jersey conference showcase the life’s work of these men, but another word unites the trio: Catholic.
The three –Ed Wade, Dr. Hosffman Ospino and Dr. Thomas D. Jones, respectively – will share how God has transformed their lives when they address the Nov. 12 men’s spirituality conference at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield. Father Larry Richards, founder of The Reason For Our Hope Foundation, will also be a keynote speaker.
The day is “a chance to share my own story with a group of men who are faithful and mindful of carrying on their identity as baptized Christians,” notes the Colombia-born Ospino, adding that he’s also looking forward to meeting others and being inspired.
An author, researcher and associate professor of Hispanic ministry and religious education at Boston College, Dr. Ospino’s keynote will focus on generations of faith – immigrant stories from the past three centuries that will examine how men “came to the United States, raised their families in the faith and [continue to] build up the Church not for themselves, but for [their descendants],” he says.
Like the men in the stories he will relate, Ospino hopes the ManUp participants will understand the need to be “responsible to their faith,” and in keeping with the conference theme, be instrumental in “Bringing Christ to the World.”
For the first time, the event will include translation devices for Spanish-speaking participants, and Dr. Ospino says the event will “recognize [the Hispanic] presence in the Catholic Church, affirm them in their faith and accompany them in their discernment.”
Fellow speaker Ed Wade agrees that ManUp can “help men to re-engage with their faith.”
A lifelong Catholic whose faith “has always been a big part of my life,” Wade is the former general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. His presentation will have him “taking stock of my life, realizing God’s hand in everything and reflecting on the people who guided me.”
Retired from baseball since 2017, Wade now practices his faith at Glassboro’s Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish, and is chancellor/recorder for Knights of Columbus Council 6347 in Pitman.
He joked that if he sees anybody nodding off in his keynote, he’ll just begin telling stories of his Phillies tenure, and how he drafted and signed stars such as Pat Burrell, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, and how he hired coach Charlie Manuel.
Dr. Thomas D. Jones – scientist, author, pilot, and veteran NASA astronaut with more than 52 days logged in space – knows he “couldn’t have achieved what I have without the help from God.”
At ManUp, he will share how his lifelong Catholic faith has shaped his career, along with stories of his adventures, including the communion service he shared with fellow astronauts on the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
“It was comforting for me to turn to my faith during spaceflight,” he says, reflecting on missions where he got “a peek of the wonder and scale of the cosmos that God has created; we have a God who is capable of creating a universe and putting us here.”
ManUp South Jersey will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Paul VI High School Conference Center in Haddonfield, and include fellowship, keynote talks, music, and opportunities for Adoration and Confession. For more information or to register, visit manupsouthjersey.com.
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