Tapestry of Promise
Weaving the Old and New Testament Together
Plenary Speakers
Special Guests
A Three-Day
Catholic Conference
St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Ann Arbor
Thursday November 19th – Saturday 21st , 2026
Inspired by the call of The Most Reverend Bishop Boyea to make 2026 the "Year of the Bible," the Tapestry of Promise conference invites you to deepen your understanding of the beautiful way in which Jesus, the Incarnate Word, is prefigured by the events of the Old Testament – a tapestry woven by God from the people and events of the Old Covenant. We invite you to grow in faith through the Sacraments, sacred music, and the dynamic teaching of learned and charismatic speakers.
A Three-Day Catholic Conference
This conference explores three powerful ways Jesus reveals Himself through the beautiful prefigurations of the Old Testament:
- Thursday — Through His Church
- Friday — Through His Mother
- Saturday — In Himself and in the Eucharist
The prefiguration of Christ in Sacred Scripture is one of the richest treasures of our Catholic faith. It sets our hearts on fire with the joy of the unity and sublime depth of God’s plan of salvation.
Breakout Sessions
Workshops
Workshop schedule and descriptions will be posted as they become available.
A Year of Continuing Formation
Features of the Conference
- Eight outstanding keynote speakers delivering a total of twelve keynote addresses
- 20 breakout sessions on a wide variety of timely topics
- 10 focused workshops led by active Catholic ministries
- Daily Rosary, Perpetual Adoration, Vespers, and the Sacrament of Confession
- Holy Mass on Friday, with the Most Reverend Bishop Earl Boyea, and on Saturday
- Special evening gatherings:
- Thursday: General conference dinner hosted by the Knights of Columbus
- Friday & Saturday: Gala dinners with entertainment by Shayne Smith (Friday) and Donna Cori (Saturday) in the Assisi Center
Evening Gatherings in the Assisi Center
On Friday and Saturday evenings, we invite you to attend two gala dinners featuring excellent food, an open bar, and entertainment: Shayne Smith will perform comedy on Friday night, and Donna Cori will perform sacred music on Saturday. There will be a book-signing and opportunity to meet the speakers.
These gatherings in the Assisi Center provide a beautiful setting to deepen friendships, converse with speakers, and continue the spirit of fellowship begun during the day.
Hotel Information
We will have secured a block of discounted rooms for conference attendees at DoubleTree and Red Roof Inn in Ann Arbor. During conference hours, a shuttle will operate between the hotels and St. Francis Parish. See Venue and Lodging for more information.
Key Dates
Premium Earlybird Ticket Sales Begin
July 18
Earlybird Ticket Sales Begin
September 5
Regular Ticket Sales Begin
October 10
Event Registration Begins
Sign up for breakouts and workshops
November 5
Late Ticket Sales Begin
November 19 - 21
The Conference
Keynote Speakers
Bear Woznick (emcee) is a bestselling author of 12 Rules for Manliness, Deep in the Wave, and Deep Adventure. A two-time World Tandem Surfing Champion, ninja black belt, skydiver, pilot, and adventurer, he hosts EWTN’s Long Ride Home TV show and Bear Woznick Adventure radio program.
Karlo Broussard is a staff apologist and speaker for Catholic Answers with a Doctorate in Philosophy. A dynamic and engaging presenter, he travels nationally giving talks on apologetics, biblical studies, theology, and philosophy. He is an adjunct professor at Franciscan University of Steubenville and Holy Apostles College and Seminary, and a regular guest on Catholic Answers Live.
Dr. Mary Healy is Professor of Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, a bestselling author, and an internationally sought-after speaker. She is a general editor of the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture and the author of multiple volumes in the series. One of the first three women appointed to the Pontifical Biblical Commission, she also serves as a member of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
Joe Heschmeyer is a staff apologist for Catholic Answers and the host of the popular podcast and YouTube channel Shameless Popery. A former litigator and former seminarian, he brings sharp reasoning and deep theological insight to his presentations on Catholic doctrine. He is the author of several books, including The Eucharist Is Really Jesus.
Dr. Marcus Peter is a Catholic biblical theologian, author, and EWTN radio host of Ave Maria in the Afternoon. A former militant atheist and Assemblies of God leader, he converted in 2010. He holds a doctorate in biblical studies and serves as Director of Theology for Ave Maria Radio, speaking worldwide on Scripture and the Catholic faith. 
Steve Ray is a Catholic convert, author, apologist, and pilgrimage leader. Raised in a devout Baptist family, he was active in Protestant ministry before an extensive study of Scripture and the early Church Fathers led him and his wife Janet to enter the Catholic Church on Pentecost 1994. A certified Holy Land guide, Ray leads pilgrimages to biblical sites and appears frequently on EWTN, Catholic Answers, and other outlets.
Shayne Smith is a Utah-born comedian, writer, podcaster, and musician whose raw, story-driven comedy has earned him a devoted following. After
launching his stand-up career in 2014, he quickly amassed accolades including runner-up in wiseguys’ 2015 “Funniest Person in Utah” contest and Best Alternative Comedian of 2016 by City Weekly. Alongside his specials, Shayne contributes to One Blade Magazine and fronts the band Painted Devils all while touring sold-out venues nationwide.
Tim Staples is a Senior Apologist and Director of Apologetics and Evangelization at Catholic Answers. A former Southern Baptist and Assembly of God youth minister, he converted to Catholicism after an intense study of Scripture and Church history. With over 30 years of experience, Tim is a highly respected speaker, author, and radio host known for his powerful conversion story, deep biblical knowledge, and passionate defense of the Catholic faith.Purchase Tickets
Earlybird Premium — $175
Limited to 100 tickets
Earlybird Ticket — $200
Limited to 200 tickets
Before September 5th
Regular Ticket — $250
Couples Tickets — $200
Subject to availability
Late Ticket — $300
After November 5th
Student / Clergy — $130
Limited to 100 tickets
We are looking for sponsors to help make more student and clergy tickets available or to help us reduce the price further!
Friday Dinner Event — $150
Comedian Shayne Smith
Limited to 200 tickets
Saturday Dinner Event — $150
A performance of sacred music by Donna Cori
Limited to 200 tickets
Cancellation Policy
All payments are non-refundable unless the conference is canceled by us or a governmental agency. If the Conference is not canceled but you choose not to attend, there will be no refund.
Kenny Burchard served for twenty years in full-time Protestant ministry, including twelve years
as the founding pastor of a Foursquare Gospel church in California. He holds an M.A. in New Testament Biblical Theology from Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary (Fresno Pacific). In 2019, he and his family were received into full communion with the Catholic Church.
Kenny currently serves as Director of Development for The Coming Home Network International and co-hosts their podcast On the Journey with Matt Swaim and Ken Hensley. He is the creator and host of Catholic Bible Highlights on YouTube, where he demonstrates the biblical foundations of Catholic teaching. Kenny is co-author of God of Love, Fire, and Light: A Biblical Defense of Purgatory (with Dave Armstrong) and has appeared twice on EWTN's The Journey Home.
Laura Kempa Bogan serves as the choir director at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Ann Arbor. She leads the adult Chorale in singing weekly Sunday Mass, where they sing sacred choral repertoire ranging from chant to contemporary compositions. Ms. Bogan also directs the children’s choir program at St. Francis school, where over one hundred young singers serve at school and parish liturgies throughout the academic year. The school choirs actively participate as members of the American Federation of Pueri Cantores, hosting the Michigan festival and travelling to regional and international Pueri Cantores festival events, including the International Congress in Rome.
Ms. Bogan is a proud alumna of the University of Michigan (B.M. Choral Music Education) and Boston University (M.M. Choral Conducting).
Freisy Bobadilla is a Catholic speaker, preacher, and author. Of Hispanic heritage, he is a Spanish-language Bible study teacher and a member of the leadership team for Made for Joy and the Rescue Project at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Ann Arbor. He has authored over eight books and possesses more than 18 years of experience in evangelization, faith formation, and the management of ministries, prayer groups, and religious education programs.
Colleen Reiss Vermeulen serves as a director, teacher, and speaker with Catholic Biblical School.
After receiving her undergraduate degree from Cornell University, Vermeulen served on active duty in the US Army. She earned a master of divinity degree and a master of nonprofit administration from the University of Notre Dame, and has served in parish ministries including children’s faith formation, young adult ministry, music ministry, and evangelization.
A contributing writer to the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible and author of Simply Scripture, Colleen Vermeulen has taught children and adults the Bible for more than fifteen years. An officer in the Army Reserve, she lives with her husband and four sons in southeastern Michigan.
Breakout Speakers
Dr. Kristin Collier is an associate professor of Internal
Medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor Michigan where she serves
as the director of the University of Michigan Medical School Program on Health,
Spirituality, and Religion and as an associate program director of the Internal
Medicine Residency Program.
She
completed medical school, residency, and chief residency at the University of
Michigan. Her academic interests center on human dignity and the ways this
concept grounds moral obligations at the margins of life. Her peer reviewed work has been published in
JAMA Internal Medicine, the British Medical Journal, the Annals of Internal
Medicine, and The Journal of General Internal Medicine. She has had writings
published in Notre Dame’s Church Life Journal, Theopolis, America Magazine,
Public Discourse, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. She is also a wife and the proud mother of
four sons.
Jonathan Hasey is director of music at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and has been a full-time director of music in the Diocese of Lansing for more than 15 years. He studied piano and organ at Eastern Michigan University, where he also sang with the Chamber Choir. He previously released an album of piano compositions, Añoranza (2017), and is currently active as a composer and arranger of liturgical music, including Mass settings, Psalms, and hymns. He publishes music and writings on liturgy and art at www.jonathanhasey.com.
William Kangas is the CEO of Ave Maria Communications, a Catholic media apostolate dedicated to proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ across the world through radio, television, and digital media. He is leading the organization toward an ambitious ten‑year goal: reaching 10 million people on each platform with the hope of the Cross and the transforming message of Christ.
After entering the Catholic Church in 2013, William dedicated his life to strengthening communities capable of proclaiming Christ and making Him known in a world hungry for hope. His work since then has spanned nonprofit leadership, community development, and innovative service models for vulnerable populations.
In addition to his executive leadership, William is a frequent instructor and lecturer on Scripture, liturgy, and Christian spirituality, and is an international speaker and author known for connecting theological depth with pastoral clarity and practical mission.
Katie Hartsock
Cameron Gibelyou
Christian Casper
John C. Pinheiro, Ph.D., is director of research and publications at Acton Institute. He was professor of history and the founding director of Catholic Studies and the Semester-in-Rome Program at Aquinas College. He is author or editor of five books, including the award-winning Missionaries of Republicanism: A Religious History of the Mexican-American War (Oxford, 2014). His 2019 book, The American Experiment in Ordered Liberty (Acton, 2019), examines the compatibility of America’s founding principles with Catholic Social Teaching. His newest book, edited with Dylan Pahman, is The Christian Roots of American Liberty: A Reader (Acton Institute, 2026).
John Pinheiro is on X as @DrJohnPinheiro. His Substack is Liberty & Order.
Craig Pohl is a Michigan native living in Westphalia with his wife, Allison, and their six children. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Catholic Studies, a master’s degree in Theology, and is a trained life and leadership coach through the Professional Christian Coaching Institute.
With over 25 years of extensive and diverse ministry experience– including 14 years leading diocesan renewal alongside Bishop Earl Boyea in the Diocese of Lansing– Craig is passionate about walking with Church leaders and parishes to mobilize for the mission of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout his ministry, he has trained and formed disciples for effective evangelization and leadership.
Currently he works with Amazing Parish as a Parish Transformation Coach, coaching Catholic pastors and their teams from around the country through a process of renewal.
Mary Ann Bittner, OFS, is a Secular Franciscan who was professed in 1990 and currently serves as the minister of St. Joseph Fraternity, the local fraternity that meets at St. Francis. She previously served as the vice-minister and minister of Divine Mercy Regional Fraternity (2000–2010), and on the OFS National Executive Council as Councilor and Vice-minister (2010–2022). She is currently collaborating on an Initial Formation Procedures Manual for the Order in the U.S.
She is a long-time member of St. Francis Parish (42 years) and has been active in various ministries, including Problem Pregnancy Help, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, the Adult Ed Committee, leader for Renew and other Small Group experiences, and the Confirmation prep team.
She is now retired from her research faculty position in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Michigan Medical School.
Scott Lyons
