Reconciliation and Renewal: Reflecting on the 2026 Good News Conference
Good News Conference 2026
This year's Good News Conference brought together thousands of the faithful in Nashville for three days of powerful preaching, prayer, and fellowship — all centered on this year's theme: reconciliation.
A Weekend Rooted in Prayer
The conference opened Friday evening with the Rosary to conclude the 54-Day Good News Conference Novena, followed by Opening Mass in Hotel Ballroom. From there, the weekend never lost its prayerful rhythm — daily Confession, a Healing Holy Hour, Night Prayer after each evening's keynote, and Concluding Vigil Mass all gave attendees space to encounter Christ beyond the main stage.
Voices That Moved Us
We were blessed with an incredible lineup of speakers this year:
Bishop Robert Barron opened Friday night with a keynote that set the tone for the whole weekend, and returned Saturday for a memorable fireside chat alongside actor Mark Wahlberg.
Father Mike Schmitz kicked off Saturday's general session with "Conversio Constans" (Constant Conversion), reminding us that conversion isn't a one-time event but a daily choice.
Sister Miriam James Heidland offered a moving reflection on "The Gift of Limitations."
Nic Davidson shared stories from the mission field in Cambodia, showing us what it looks like to carry the Gospel to places where Christ's name is still unknown.
Saturday closed with a powerful concert performance from Michael W. Smith.
Sunday morning turned fully toward our theme, with Dr. Bob Schuchts, Father John Burns, Katie McGrady, and Father Joe Krupp each exploring forgiveness and reconciliation — as individuals, as families, and as a Church.
Attendees also had the chance to go deeper through breakout sessions, including Timothy Schmalz on the "Artistic Weapons of Faith," Shannon Wendt on Our Lady Hodegetria, Father Mathias Thelen on healing in evangelization, and Stephen Jagla's personal story of finding his birth parents — and forgiveness along with them.
Art in Motion: Timothy Schmalz
A highlight of the weekend was internationally renowned sculptor Timothy Schmalz, whose work filled the Broadway Ballroom — including nine pieces from his Parable Park project and his touring "Sacred Heart" sculpture near the Mass room. Guests could bid in a silent auction on a replica of his "Life" sculpture, and many watched him sculpt live in the sponsor area: a new depiction of the Prodigal Son, inspired by this year's theme of reconciliation and forgiveness. Watching the piece take shape over the course of the conference gave attendees a front-row seat to how art itself can become an act of prayer.
What We Learned
If there was one thread running through every talk, every breakout, and every quiet moment in the Broadway Ballroom, it was this: reconciliation is not simply an event we attend, but a posture we're called to live. Whether through Father Mike Schmitz's call to constant conversion, Sister Miriam's teaching on embracing our limitations, or Sunday's deep dive into forgiveness within our own families, the conference invited us again and again to let go of what separates us — from God, from each other, and from our truest selves.
The mission stories from Cambodia and the healing testimonies shared throughout the weekend also reminded us that the Good News isn't meant to stay inside our conference venue. It's meant to go out — into our homes, our relationships, and the corners of the world where it hasn't yet been heard.
Grateful for the Journey
As the welcome letter from this year's conference put it so well: "May these days strengthen your faith, renew your spirit, and inspire you to share the Good News in your daily life."
We're deeply thankful to our sponsors, our speakers, our clergy, and our partners at Word on Fire for making this year's Good News Conference possible. Most of all, we're grateful for everyone who traveled to be part of it — and for the ways the Holy Spirit moved in each heart over these few days in Nashville.
Until next year, may we carry the theme of reconciliation with us — one conversation, one act of forgiveness, and one moment of grace at a time.
Michael W. Smith at the 2026 Good News Conference. 2026 Good News Conference 2026 Good News Conference.
This year, approximately 40% of all conference registration and sponsorship revenue was allocated to support five remarkable nonprofit apostolates — helping advance the work of some extraordinary Catholic ministries that are bringing the Gospel around the world to those in need of it. Learn more here!
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