Born in 1948 in Richland Center, Wisconsin, Raymond Leo Burke attended seminary in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Washington, D.C., and Rome, where he was ordained a priest by Pope Saint Paul VI in 1975. Ordained a bishop in 1995 by Pope Saint John Paul II, he served for almost nine years as Bishop of La Crosse, where he founded the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and over four years as Archbishop of St. Louis.

He was named a cardinal in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. Cardinal Burke has written and spoken widely on Roman Catholic canon law, the Holy Eucharist, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the sanctity of human life. He is a member of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

The Most Reverend David L. Ricken was ordained in the Diocese of Pueblo, CO, in September 1980. Five years later, he became administrator of Holy Rosary Parish and diocesan vice chancellor. In 1987, Bishop Ricken received his Licentiate degree (J.C.L.) in Cannon Law from Pontifical Gregorian University and was appointed vocation director/vicar for ministry formation. Three years later, he was named diocesan chancellor. In 1996 Biship Ricken was nominated an official of the Congregation for Clergy ibn Rome.

On January 6, 2000, he was ordained to the episcopacy for the Diocese of Cheyenne at the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome by his His Holiness, Pope John Paul II. During his tenure, Bishop Ricken was a founding member of Wyoming Catholic College. On July 9, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI named Bishop Ricken the twelfth bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay, and was officially installed on Aug. 28, 2008.

During his tenure as Bishop in Green Bay, he was instrumental in declaring the Authenticity of the Apparitions of 1859 at the “”Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help”” in Champion, WI, to Adele Brise. The decree was issued on Dec. 8, 2010. Bishop Ricken was the first and only diocesan bishop in the U.S. to officially approve a Marian apparition.”

Father Edward Looney was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Green Bay on June 6, 2015, and currently serves as Pastor of St. Francis and St. Mary Parish, Brussels, and St. Peter/St. Hubert Parish, Lincoln/Rosiere, WI. Marian pilgrimage has been central to Fr. Looney’s life. During the summer of 2005, Fr. Looney, as a high school sophomore made a Marian pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help (Champion, WI). This pilgrimage opened the door of his heart to discern more seriously a priestly vocation. He has visited Marian shrines across the world. Father Looney began writing books while still in seminary, first penning a children’s book called The Story of Sister Adele. Fr. Looney’s writings have been featured in the pages of Catholic Digest and Missio Immaculate in addition to the web on Catholic Exchange.

In addition to giving a talk on Marian Devotion and the spiritual benefits of pilgrimages (big and small), he will also be featuring his new documentary on roadside chapels.

Fr. Thomas grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and Cincinnati, the oldest of three children. Upon graduating from Purdue University, Fr. Thomas worked for IBM as an engineer and as a project manager. Before attending seminary, he received his Master’s degree in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Fr. Thomas was ordained to the priesthood for the Fathers of Mercy in 2016, and currently serves as the Chaplain at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, Wisconsin.

Chuck Neff is Champion Shrine’s 2022 Marian Conference emcee.  A veteran TV and radio broadcaster, he is the former host of The Inner Life® on Relevant Radio®. Dedicating almost 16 years to the Catholic network, Neff talked daily about spiritual direction and brought on wise and thoughtful priests to share advise on a variety of topics. He retired from Relevant Radio on February 22, 2021. Those who knew him on The Inner Life describe Neff as a calming and compassionate presence, making each listener feel heard, cared for, and valued as a son or daughter of Christ. He is the author of The Deal and co-author of Finding Light in the Darkness, a Journey Through the Stations of the Cross. Since retiring, he has been enjoying spending more time with his wife, Judy, and traveling.