Former radio personality to give redemption story at Worcester men’s conference

Kevin Matthews, a midwestern radio personality from Chicago’s “98 The Loop” will headline the 25th Annual Worcester Catholic Men’s Conference on Saturday, March 21, at the DCU Convention Center.
“We are so fortunate to have Kevin Matthews speak at the Men’s Conference this year, following the premier of his feature film ‘Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story,’” said Todd D. Jarvis of the conference planning committee. “We are featuring a lineup of deeply moving, highly entertaining and extremely compelling speakers that our men will absolutely love.”
From the mid-1980s to the early 2000s, Mr. Matthews pulled in 10 million listeners a week with pranks, impersonations and comedy. However, his health became poor and his fame began to fade. It was then that Mr. Matthews discovered redemption next to a dirty dumpster where he saw a statue of the Blessed Mother.
The statue was cast aside and broken. He also felt cast aside and broken. When he went to get the statue fixed, something came over him, and he uncharacteristically blurted out, “Keep her broken. We’re all broken, but we’re loved by God.”  
When looking back on his transformation, Mr. Matthews stated, “If you would’ve told me that I’d be carrying around a broken statue of the Virgin Mary, talkin’ about God, I’d say: ‘Are you high?’”  
Kevin went from partying with wild celebrities and athletes to hanging out with nuns and priests. He now refers to himself as “Mary’s Roadie.”
This story will be told in person (with the broken Mary statue) at the Worcester Diocesan Catholic Men’s Conference. New to this year’s conference, in addition to the 8 a.m. rosary, Mr. Matthews will lead all in attendance in the rosary following his talk.  
Joining Mr. Matthews will be four other Catholic speakers: Former Division One starting quarterback, Father Joe Freedy, from the Diocese of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; author and former EWTN host John Martignoni; Worcester diocesan priest, Father Frederick D. Fraini, pastor of North American Martyrs Parish in Auburn; and special international guest, Father Peter Jae Choi from Toronto, Canada.
The 25th annual men’s conference will feature an all-day adoration chapel, the opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation with one of the 50 priests who will be available midday, and over 50 Catholic vendors.

Further information, including ticket sales, is available at catholicmenworc.com

Adult tickets are $60 through March 11, $70 thereafter or at the door. Student tickets are always $30. All tickets include lunch.