Wonder Conference 2024

Early Bird Discount $100 OFF — Get your ticket

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Word on Fire’s annual conference is back!

Join Bishop Barron and Catholics from around the country to become confident in debunking the myth that Faith and Science are at odds.

Get early bird discount
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Rochester, MN | August 2-4, 2024

$100 OFF Early Bird Discount Ends May 5th

$795 $695

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Wonder 2023 Bishop Barron Keynote

One of the most important evangelical tasks today...

Bishop Barron believes that one of the most important evangelical tasks today is responding to the belief held by so many that faith and science are incompatible. Word on Fire’s Wonder Conference was created to help address this issue.

Who is this for?

This conference is for you if you love Word on Fire and want to become more confident in your conversations with friends, coworkers, or family members about some of the most pressing issues the Church faces today.

What is this conference?

This is the second annual Word on Fire Conference that is open to everyone! Join over 1,000+ Catholics from around the country. Your ticket includes access to four keynotes (including one by Bishop Barron), three breakout sessions, two dinners, and two Masses.

When is it?

August
2-4, 2024

Where is it?

This year’s conference is in Bishop’s home diocese of Rochester, Minnesota! It will be at the Mayo Civic Center (which is also the event space of the world-renowned Mayo Clinic).

Why nature and the human body?

This year's theme is Nature and the Human Body. The human body is at the core of today’s most controversial topics, including evolution, artificial intelligence, and gender ideology. It’s become more important than ever to become confident when talking with friends and family about these topics.

How do I attend?

For a limited time, we’re offering a $100 OFF Early Bird Discount. Click below to get your tickets.

“The presentations were just amazing, beyond my expectations. Plus the organization of the conference and the quality of the food were exceptionally good.”

Christopher D., California

“I came all the way from Lima, Peru for it. And had an amazing time. You inspire me and I’m sure will inspire many more.”

Maria P., Peru

“This was a great conference. As an educator, I see firsthand the questions that students have with respect to the relationship between Faith and Science. I plan to send more of my faculty to future Wonder Conferences.”

Loretta G., Texas

“The conference does not “train” us to be scientists and theologians, speakers and keynoters - but give us tools we can share with others to multiply the impact.”

Tracy B., Missouri

“Thank you for awakening a renewed urgency to win back those who have strayed and those who are disinterested.”

Felicia B., Louisiana

Wonder 2023 Breakout
Creation of Adam (cropped)

T h e

h e a v e n s

d e c l a r e

t h e   g l o r y

o f   G o d .

Psalm 19:1

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Meet the Speakers

Bishop Barron

Bishop Robert Barron

Bishop Robert Barron is Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester (Minnesota) and the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries. He served as the Rector/President of Mundelein Seminary / University of St. Mary of the Lake from 2012 until 2015. On July 21, 2015, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Barron to be Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He was ordained bishop on September 8, 2015. On Thursday, June 2, 2022, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Robert Barron the ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.

Fr. Robert Spitzer

Robert Spitzer, SJ, PhD

Robert Spitzer, SJ, PhD, is a Jesuit priest and the President of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith and the Spitzer Center for Visionary Leadership. Author of thirteen books and host of the weekly EWTN program Father Spitzer’s Universe, he frequently speaks and writes on faith, science, philosophy, and culture, and he has appeared on Larry King Live, the Today show, and PBS.

Jonathan Pageau

Jonathan Pageau

Jonathan Pageau is a liturgical artist, writer, and public speaker. His artwork is commissioned by churches and individuals all over the world. He is mostly known as the host of the Symbolic World podcast, where he explores the symbolic patterns that underlie our stories, images, and everyday perception.

Abigail Favale

Abigail Favale, PhD

Abigail Favale, PhD, is a writer and professor in the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. She has an academic background in gender studies and feminist literary criticism and now writes and teaches on topics related to women and gender from a Catholic perspective. Her latest book is The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory.

Ryan T. Anderson

Ryan T. Anderson, PhD

Ryan T. Anderson, PhD, is the President of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, DC. He has a doctoral degree in political philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and is the author or co-author of five books. His work has been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.

Heather Heying

Heather Heying, PhD

Heather Heying, PhD, is a scientist, educator, and author. She earned her doctorate in biology from the University of Michigan and has conducted research on the evolution of social systems and sexual selection, from frogs to humans. She has written two books and worked as a visiting Fellow at Princeton University and a tenured professor at The Evergreen State College.

Obianuju Ekeocha

Obianuju Ekeocha

Obianuju Ekeocha is an internationally acclaimed pro-life speaker, strategist, author, and documentary filmmaker. She works as a biomedical scientist and has advised legislators and policymakers worldwide on issues concerning African women’s health, social issues, youth, family, healthcare, foreign aid, education, and culture. She is the Founder and President of Culture of Life Africa.

Charlie Camosy

Charlie Camosy, PhD

Charlie Camosy, PhD, is a professor of Medical Humanities at the Creighton University School of Medicine and holds the Monsignor Curran Fellowship in Moral Theology at St. Joseph Seminary in New York. He is the author of eight books, and his articles have appeared in American Journal of Bioethics, Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, and The New York Times.

Selmer Bringsjord

Selmer Bringsjord, PhD

Selmer Bringsjord, PhD, is a professor of Cognitive Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He specializes in the logico-mathematical and philosophical foundations of artificial intelligence, collaboratively building AI systems on the basis of computational logic, and the logic-based modeling and simulation of rational, human-level-and-above cognition. His work has been featured in over 250 publications.

Stephen Doran

Stephen Doran, MD

Stephen Doran, MD, is a neurosurgeon and clinical instructor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is also an ordained permanent deacon and serves as the bioethicist for the Archdiocese of Omaha. His writings have been widely published in national media outlets, academic journals, and neurosurgery textbooks. Along with his wife, Sharon, he is the co-founder of Seeking Truth Catholic Bible Study.

Wonder audience

What’s included in your ticket?

1. Access to the Conference: This includes four keynotes and three breakout sessions (six options to choose from).

2. Conference Materials: A gift bag with program schedule, name badge, and other informational resources.

3. Meal and Refreshments: Dinner on August 2nd and 3rd, and refreshments during the event.

4. Networking Opportunities: Access to networking events, receptions, and social gatherings.

5. Exhibition Access: Check out our sponsor booths and the Word on Fire Bookstore.

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L o s t ,   a l l

l o s t   i n

w o n d e r   a t

t h e   G o d

t h o u   a r t .

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Friday Schedule

Ballroom Lobby West

Ballroom Lobby West

Ballroom

Ballroom

Grand Kahler

Saturday Schedule

Ballroom

Ballroom Lobby West

Ballroom

Suites 102 - 105

Suites 110 - 113

Suites 102 - 105

Suites 110 - 113

On your own

Ballroom

Suites 102 - 105

Suites 110 - 113

Ballroom Lobby West

Ballroom

Grand Kahler

Sunday Schedule

Ballroom

Ballroom Lobby West

Ballroom

Ballroom

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Mayo Civic Center

August 2-4, 2024

Rochester Mayo Civic Center

30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904
2nd Floor Ballroom

Get early bird discount
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Sponsorship opportunities are available

For more information, please contact [email protected]

Media

Please contact [email protected] for all media inquiries

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FAQs

Wonder Conference is open to and appropriate for individuals and couples. For those who wish to attend with their children, the content is appropriate for mature middle-school-aged children and older.

Join us for seated dinners on August 2nd and 3rd at 6 p.m., which is included with your conference ticket. Please note that breakfast and lunch will not be provided during the conference and are not included in the ticket price.

You can request an allergy-free or vegetarian dinner from your server when you are seated.

Yes. Mass will be offered on August 3rd at 7:30 a.m. in the Ballroom, and August 4th at 8 a.m. in the Ballroom.

No, unfortunately we do not have group rates for parishes and schools at this time.

Business casual is suggested for the Wonder Conference. For men, we suggest trousers, slacks, khakis, button-down shirts, polos (sport coat optional). For women, we suggest a skirt or slacks, blouse, blazer, or dress and an appropriate heel or flat shoe.

Schedule your inbound flight to arrive early Friday afternoon, August 2, with enough time to get to the hotel, check in, and arrive at the Rochester Civic Center before the first keynote at 5:30 p.m.

The last session on August 4 will end at 11:05 a.m.

All keynote speakers and breakout sessions will be livestreamed on the Word on Fire Institute. To join the virtual experience, an active Institute membership is required. You can get started for free today at: institute.wordonfire.org.

Word on Fire has reserved a block of rooms for Wonder guests at the Grand Kahler Hotel, just a 15-minute walk from the Wonder Conference. Click here to get the WOF discount room rate.

You can fly into Rochester International Airport (RST) or Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), and then take a shuttle, taxi, or rideshare to the hotel.

If flying into Rochester International Airport (RST), there are multiple shuttles, taxis, and rideshares available to bring you directly to the Grand Kahler Hotel, which is about a 20-minute trip.

However, depending on where you are coming from, it can be difficult and time-consuming to fly into Rochester. An alternative is to fly into the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), and then take a shuttle directly to the Grand Kahler Hotel in Rochester. The trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

The following shuttle services are available: Rochester Shuttle Service (https://rochestershuttleservice.com) and Groome Transportation (https://groometransportation.com/minneapolis-st-paul-airport).

Refunds will be processed until July 12, 2024. Cancellations made after this date will not be eligible for a refund. Please note that refunds are not applicable for instances involving technical issues, no-shows, non-participation, or any other related concerns.

Yes, the venue has ADA services for guests. Click here for more information.