A gifted and captivating speaker, preacher, retreat master and author, Father LarryRichards holds the answer to some of life's most profound questions. He speaks fromexperience as a pastor of an inner city parish, a high school chaplain, a counselor andevangelist. Fr. Larry Richards has directed hundreds of Retreats, Parish Missions andConferences for young and old alike. His inspirational talks and presentations, alwaysauthentic and enthusiastic, have changed the hearts, minds, and lives of millions oflisteners worldwide. He continues to accept invitations for speaking engagements all overthe United States and in Canada and has recently traveled abroad to continue his missionof evangelization.Father Larry Richards was born on March 26, 1960, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Heentered St. Mark High School Seminary, Erie, Pennsylvania, at the age of 17. After highschool, Father Larry attended the college Seminary at Gannon University and receivedhis Bachelor of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling in 1983.Continuing his studies at the Major Seminary at St. Vincent in Latrobe, Pennsylvania,Father Larry Richards received his Masters of Divinity degree in 1987. He will soonconclude his studies and be awarded a Master of Arts degree in Liturgy from theUniversity of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana.Ordained to the priesthood on April 21, 1989 for the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania,Father Larry Richards has served as Pastor of St. Joseph Church/Bread of LifeCommunity, also in Erie, since July 1, 2002. In addition, Father is the spiritual directorof the TEC (To Encounter Christ) Retreat Program for the Diocese of Erie.On August 30, 2004, in the midst of his many commitments to his parishioners, to theTEC community, and to traveling around the United States for Parish Missions, Retreats,and Conferences, Father Larry founded and is president of "The Reason For Our HopeFoundation," a non-profit organization dedicated to 'spreading the Good News' byeducating others about Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith through CDs and DVDs, aswell as promoting Catholic speakers who are effective instruments of evangelization. Inturn, the foundation will support charities that strive to make real the Gospel of JesusChrist.He has recorded many talks on all aspects of the Catholic Faith for individual and smallgroupinstruction, all of which are available on The Reason for Our Hope website atwww.TheReasonForOurHope.com. Since the inception of the Foundation, Father Larryhas also recorded CDs and DVDs entitled "The Truth", "Confession", "The MassExplained", "Knowing God's Will", "Prayer", "Living in the Holy Spirit", "Be a Man",and "What More Could He Do For You". Father Larry's live presentation of "WhatMore Could He Do For You?", a dramatic explanation of the Passion of Jesus, is riveting;the DVD of this presentation is, without a doubt, the most moving re-enactment of thePassion one can view. Father Larry will be adding to the list of available presentationson a regular basis. These CDs and DVDs may also be secured on the foundationwebsite at www.TheReasonForOurHope.com.Father Larry's first book, "Be a Man! Becoming the Man God Created You To Be" waspublished by Ignatius Press in October of 2009, and was the #1 best seller by IgnatiusPress in 2010. In "Be a Man!" he recounts his struggles to learn true manhood, as wellas the inspiring stories of others he has served in his decades as a priest. He tells menhow to focus on the right goal, how to live as a beloved son of God, of the need toacknowledge one's faults and to live according to the Holy Spirit, to be a man of true loveand of wisdom, to appreciate properly the differences between men and women, topursue holiness, and to make a difference in the world. Not preachy but direct, FatherLarry challenges men to be strong, without putting on a mask of false strength ormachismo. He calls men to admit their weaknesses and limitations, while urging them tofind strength in faith and genuine love to overcome their sins and faults.Father Larry's second book, "Surrender! The Life-Changing Power of Doing God's Will"was published by Our Sunday Visitor in September of 2011. Fr. Larry Richardschallenges you to let go of attachments, assumptions and excuses that hold you back fromgiving yourself more fully to God, in order to receive everything God wants to give you.Father Larry Richards hosts a radio show called "Changed Forever with Father LarryRichards". It can be heard nationwide on Relevant Radio on Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.ET/7:00 p.m. CT, and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. ET/10:00 a.m. CT. For more information,or to listen on-line, go to www.relevantradio.com.